Canadian Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor is planning to introduce new regulations to look at ways to restrict the sale of highly sweetened beverages with alcohol content between 7% and 12%.

Sold in large-volume, non-resealable containers with colourful packaging, these beverages are inexpensive and are marketed to attract youth, according to Health Canada.

The Government of Canada is concerned about the health risks of these beverages and is taking action to reduce the risk that these products can pose to the health and safety of people in the country.

In this regard, Taylor has directed Health Canada to immediately take action in two areas to help reduce the risk these products pose.

Initially, Health Canada will introduce a proposal for consultation to modify the food and drug regulations to restrict the alcohol content of single-serve highly sweetened alcoholic beverages.

Explained in a notice of intent (NoI), the proposal aims to restrict the amount of alcohol in single-serve highly sweetened beverages by limiting the maximum size of the container or the percentage of the product.

The proposal is expected to affect all high-alcohol beverages sold in non-resealable containers that exceed a certain sweetness threshold, including those that contain artificial sweeteners.

“I have instructed my department to take all necessary action to address this issue, through both regulations and consultations with provinces and territories as well as stakeholders.”

Industry and all interested parties are requested to provide feedback on the NoI by 3 May this year.

Taylor said: “Protecting the health and safety of Canadians is a top priority for our Government. I am deeply concerned by the increasing availability and appeal of single-serve highly sweetened, high-alcohol beverages and by the increasing number of youth admitted to hospital after drinking these products.

“Accordingly, I have instructed my department to take all necessary action to address this issue, through both regulations and consultations with provinces and territories as well as stakeholders.

“It is my expectation that industry will also come forward with interim measures to help us ensure the safety of young Canadians.”

In the coming weeks, Health Canada will convene a meeting with provincial and territorial governments as well as key stakeholders to discuss collective measures, including on advertising, marketing, and labelling to reduce the risks of these products.

The NoI includes a call to action to industry stakeholders to involve in consultations and come forward with temporary measures to reduce the risk that these products pose.

It is reported that the proposal is not intended to capture liqueurs, dessert wines and other sweet alcoholic beverages sold in resealable containers.