New Dietary Guidelines Reinforce a Science-Based, Moderate Approach to Alcohol
The newly released U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans reaffirm a long-standing, evidence-based approach to alcohol consumption—one grounded in moderation and informed by the full body of peer-reviewed research. For the American Cider Association and our members, this outcome reflects the importance of keeping science, not bias, at the center of federal health policy.
Throughout the Guidelines development process, ACA worked alongside the Science Over Bias coalition, a group of beverage alchohol associations and additional stakeholders committed to transparency and scientific integrity. The coalition formed in response to proposals that would have dramatically lowered recommended alcohol limits based on selective research, advancing a “no consumption is best” approach. Ultimately, the final Guidelines maintained moderation standards that reflect decades of scientific consensus and real-world context.
The official DGA alcohol recommendation:
- Consume less alcohol for better overall health.
- People who should completely avoid alcohol include pregnant women, people who are recovering from alcohol use disorder or are unable to control the Sodium amount they drink, and people taking medications or with medical conditions that can interact with alcohol. For those with a family history of alcoholism, be mindful of alcohol consumption and associated addictive behaviors.
This change removes the previous daily guidance of up to one beverage for women and two beverages for men, shifting away from gender-specific intake recommendations.
This broad coalition of the nation’s agriculture, beverage and hospitality industries issued the following statement in response to the alcohol guidance in the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans:
“The Dietary Guidelines’ longstanding, overarching advice is that if alcohol is consumed, it should be done in moderation. These updated guidelines, underpinned by the preponderance of scientific evidence, reaffirm this important guidance.”
For cidermakers, this matters. Cider is an agricultural product rooted in orchards, rural economies, and small businesses—many of them family-owned and women-led. Federal nutrition guidance has real implications for how our industry is perceived, regulated, and communicated to consumers. Balanced, evidence-based policy allows producers to continue promoting responsible consumption while supporting local agriculture and hospitality.
ACA supports clear consumer education, transparency, and ongoing research into alcohol and health. At the same time, we believe that public policy must consider the totality of evidence and the diverse communities affected by it—from farmers and producers to consumers and public health professionals.
We appreciate the work of the many scientists, advocates, and coalition partners who spoke up during this process. The ACA will continue engaging with Congress, federal agencies, and allied organizations to ensure that future alcohol policy discussions remain fair, data-driven, and free from predetermined outcomes.
More resources about the Dietary Guidelines for Americans: