Over 100 Members Demand Action – This Alcohol Study Gets Shut Down Fast!

In a significant move, over 100 members of Congress have called for the suspension of a government-backed study on alcohol, raising concerns about the research’s impartiality and its potential impact on the alcohol industry. The study, which is expected to inform the upcoming 2025 update of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, has sparked debate among lawmakers, researchers, and industry leaders.

The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD) has been tasked with leading the research, but some critics argue that the group is biased against alcohol. This has led to concerns from alcohol producers and lawmakers representing states with strong beer, wine, and liquor industries.

“The secretive process at ICCPUD” has been criticized by Congress members, who claim that the researchers were not appropriately vetted for potential conflicts of interest. In a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack, lawmakers expressed their dissatisfaction. “HHS has offered no explanation and that’s the heart of the problem,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director of WineAmerica.

Much of the concern revolves around the involvement of researchers who have previously advocated for stricter alcohol guidelines. Among them is Dr. Tim Naimi, who has recommended reducing the daily alcohol intake for men from two drinks to one. This reduction would be a significant shift from the guidelines that have been in place since 1980.

Other researchers on the panel, such as Jürgen Rehm and Kevin Shield, are noted for their work in addiction research. Rehm is a senior scientist at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health, while Shield leads a World Health Organization (WHO) center on addiction. Their participation has raised alarms for alcohol producers, especially after a WHO report last year stated, “no level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.”

Lawmakers have also pointed out that another group, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), has traditionally handled alcohol-related research. The signatories of the letter to Becerra and Vilsack argue that NASEM is better suited to handle the study, having decades of experience in the field. They accuse ICCPUD of “overreach” and push for transparency, noting the limited opportunities for public comment and the lack of clarity around the research process.

The alcohol industry has been watching the study closely, fearing that any recommendation to further restrict alcohol intake could lead to a reduction in consumption. “There would be a ripple effect if the guidelines change,” said Kaiser, noting that a shift could impact both at-home consumption and sales at restaurants and bars. This potential downturn in alcohol sales comes at a time when the industry is already grappling with challenges.

Wine consumption, for instance, hit a 27-year low in 2023, dropping 4% worldwide. In the U.S., sales of spirits and beer were down by 3% and 3.5%, respectively, for the first seven months of 2024, according to data from IWSR, a global drinks analytics firm. Experts point to several factors contributing to the decline, including the growing popularity of non-alcoholic beverages, changing habits among younger generations, and the legalization of marijuana in many states.

While some in the scientific community support a more cautious approach to alcohol, others argue that moderate consumption is not as harmful as recent narratives suggest. “It’s tempting to assume that because heavy alcohol consumption is very bad, lesser amounts must be at least a little bad. But the science isn’t there,” noted a recent editorial from Harvard Public Health.

The debate around alcohol guidelines is nothing new. In the 1980s and 1990s, the wine industry benefited from research that suggested red wine had health benefits. Now, as new studies question the safety of even moderate drinking, the pendulum appears to have swung in the opposite direction. “Now, we’re told you can die from drinking a glass at lunch,” wine importer Michael Yurch said in frustration.

As the 2025 update of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines approaches, all eyes are on the ICCPUD study and whether its findings will influence recommendations around alcohol consumption. With Congress members, industry leaders, and researchers divided on the issue, the controversy is likely far from over.