The Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development Ghana (VAST Ghana) has appealed to the Ministry of Health to support proposals for stricter alcohol labelling standards at the ongoing 49th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL49) in Ottawa, Canada.

In a formal letter addressed to the Minister of Health and dated May 12, 2026, the public health advocacy organisation called on Ghana’s representatives at the international meeting to back measures aimed at improving consumer awareness about the health risks associated with alcohol consumption.

The organisation argued that alcohol remains a major public health concern globally and in Ghana, stressing that scientific evidence continues to link alcohol consumption to cancers and several non-communicable diseases.

“Scientific evidence from the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen,” the letter stated.

According to VAST Ghana, alcohol use has been causally linked to at least seven forms of cancer, in addition to liver disease, cardiovascular conditions, mental health disorders and injuries.

The group therefore wants Ghana to support a proposal before the Codex Committee seeking the initiation of new work on alcohol labelling standards.

The proposal, contained in document CX/FL 26/49/8 paragraph 14(a), seeks amendments to existing Codex texts that currently classify alcohol as an ordinary food product.

VAST Ghana also called for the establishment of an Electronic Working Group chaired by Tanzania to draft proposed amendments for consideration at the next session of the committee.

The organisation further urged Ghana to advocate for clear and visible health warnings on alcoholic beverages, including warnings relating to cancer risks.

“Consumers and the public have the right to accurate and accessible information about products they purchase and consume,” the letter noted.

The advocacy group warned against attempts to narrow the discussions solely to alcohol strength information or allow QR codes and electronic labels to replace visible on-pack health warnings.

According to VAST Ghana, stronger alcohol labelling standards are consistent with Ghana’s broader commitments to non-communicable disease prevention, public health promotion and consumer protection.

The organisation maintained that improved warning labels could help consumers make informed decisions and increase public awareness about alcohol-related harms.

The letter was signed by the Executive Director of VAST Ghana, Labram M. Musah, and copied to the Chief Executive Officers of the Food and Drugs Authority and the Ghana Standards Authority, the WHO Country Representative in Ghana, and the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health.

The Codex Committee on Food Labelling operates under the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which is jointly managed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to develop international food standards and consumer protection guidelines.