EU moves forward on nutritional labels for alcoholic drinks

Health-conscious tipplers may be closer to finding out just how many calories they are imbibing as consumer advocates push for EU nutritional labelling on alcoholic drinks in the face of strong industry resistance.

The European Parliament took a first step last month when it called on the European Commission to draw up the legislation requiring just such labelling by next year.

Adopted by 63 of the 68 members of the parliament's health committee, the resolution also calls for labels that highlight the dangers of alcohol for pregnant women and motorists.

It was sweet revenge for Glenis Willmott, a Labour MEP from Britain who steered the proposal through the committee after a first attempt failed in 2011 with what she said was heavy lobbying from the drinks industry.

This time around, Willmott wants to make sure there is no mistake and that consumers get the information they need.

"Consumers have a right to know that a glass of wine has the same number of calories as a slice of cake and that drinking while pregnant can harm your baby," she said.

"This isn't about telling people what to do but giving them the information they need to make informed choices," Willmott added.