CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Federal agencies are looking into updating federal dietary guidelines.
The switch-up is expected next year, according to the Wall Street Journal. Both the Agriculture and Health and Human Services departments are involved.
The change could have a domino effect on how to regulate the industry. Now, lawmakers are trying to figure out just how much of that process should be public.
Let's breakdown three takeaways from the ongoing battle:
This is historic
Wall Street Journal reports it is the first time guidance on alcohol consumption is being considered separately from the dietary guidelines.
Today's standards
As of right now, it is considered safe consumption for men to have a maximum of two drinks a day, while for women, that maximum is at one drink.
That standard has been longstanding for nearly three decades.
Losing money
While guiding Americans to drink less would be a blow to an industry that is already losing some customers, attitudes around alcohol have been changing already.
Younger generations have moved away from liquor over health concerns. Additionally, as WCNC Charlotte has previously reported, the U.S. has more daily cannabis users than alcohol users for the first time.
Contact Kia Murray at kmurray@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
