As part of its ongoing compliance work, the Portman Group appointed independent consultants, Campden BRI, to audit a random sample of 500 alcoholic drinks in supermarkets, convenience stores and off-licences. It found that the vast majority of the sample (92.3%) was compliant with the Portman Group Code of Practice.
Just 39 products (7.7% of the sample) were identified by Campden as having issues which could potentially put them in breach of the Code.
The Portman Group said it is contacting the companies involved to discuss the findings and companies will have three months to make any changes to their product packaging. If the issues cannot be resolved they will be referred to the Independent Complaints Panel to investigate a potential breach.
Portman Group head of regulatory affairs Kay Perry said: “This independent audit has confirmed what we know – that the overwhelming majority of alcohol producers package their products responsibly and are compliant with the Code.
“It has highlighted some issues with a few products and our compliance team will contact the companies involved and we will give confidential advice to these drinks’ producers who may alter their packaging or opt for an Independent Complaints Panel decision.”
