Beverage Labeling – Legal Requirements

The statutory labeling requirements for the beverage industry are governed by the European Food Information Regulation (EU Regulation No. 1169/2011). In addition to general labeling obligations such as the list of ingredients, the best-before date, and the net quantity, beverage labeling must also include specific information such as alcohol content. Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of more than 1.2% by volume (e.g., wine, beer, spirits, and fruit wine) must state the actual alcohol content in percent by volume (% vol.).
Conversely, beverages with an increased caffeine content (e.g., energy drinks) must indicate the caffeine content and include a notice stating that they are not recommended for children, pregnant women, or breastfeeding women. Coffee and tea products are exempt from this requirement.

The Batch Identification Regulation requires that all food products—including beverages—be labeled with a batch number. This number makes it possible to trace the product back to the respective batch. This is particularly important in the event of complaints, as it allows manufacturers to investigate issues internally.

To increase the share of reusable beverage packaging to at least 70 percent, the German Packaging Act (Verpackungsgesetz, VerpackG) was amended in 2019. Under this regulation, beverage retailers are required to clearly and legibly label single-use beverage packaging subject to a deposit with the word “SINGLE-USE,” indicating that the packaging will not be reused after return. The same applies to reusable beverage packaging, which must be labeled “REUSABLE.”
The notices must match the price labeling of the respective product in terms of design and font size. Exceptions apply to packaging with a filling volume of more than three liters, as well as to certain beverages such as sparkling wine, wine, and fruit and vegetable juices.