Classify beverages at or below 0.5% ABV as alcohol free

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openDepartment of Health and Social Careby Ben GibbsOpened 3 September 2026

Background

Change the law so any drink at 0.5% ABV or below can be labelled “alcohol-free”. At 0.05%, the UK’s limit is the strictest in the world. The Government has consulted twice and committed to it. Stop consulting and act.

Additional details

For context: a ripe banana or a bread roll can hold as much alcohol as a 0.5% beer, yet the beer can’t call itself alcohol-free. We are concerned that the world’s strictest 0.05% limit is easy for big brands with big budgets to hit and market, but a costly barrier for small independent brewers. It also fuels the myth that a 0.5% beer is much like a real pint, when the amount is negligible. We think that aligning with the 0.5% international standard would mean honest, consistent labelling people can actually trust.

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.

Source: UK Government & Parliament Petitions service. Petition ID: 778736.