Introduction to Gin Labeling
Drinks labeled "gin" must contain alcohol, according to Europe’s top court. The German trade association VSW had appealed to the court, saying that a product sold by PB VI Goods called “Virgin Gin Alcohol-Free” violated a 2019 EU definition of gin.
EU Definition of Gin
The EU definition states that “Gin should be produced by flavoring ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin with juniper berries and the minimum alcohol content of this ethyl alcohol must be 37.5%.” This definition is crucial in determining what can be labeled as gin in the European market.
Court Ruling
A German court had referred the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union and asked for its opinion on the need for gin to be intoxicating. The court noted that there is a clear prohibition in EU law on representing and labeling a drink such as the one in question as ‘non-alcoholic gin’, simply because of the fact that this drink does not contain alcohol.
Implications of the Ruling
The court emphasized that this did not prevent the company from selling its product, but merely from selling it with the word “gin” in the name. The ban is intended to protect consumers from the risk of confusion regarding the composition of products and to require gin manufacturers to comply with the requirements of EU law against unfair competition.
Protection of Consumers
The ruling is a significant step in protecting consumers from misleading labeling. By ensuring that only drinks that meet the EU definition of gin can be labeled as such, consumers can make informed decisions about their purchases. The court’s decision also promotes fair competition among gin manufacturers, as it prevents companies from mislabeling their products to gain an unfair advantage.
