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Liquor giant Lion Nathan is considering whether to reduce alcohol and remove energy additives from spirits-based ready-to-drink beverages popular with young people.
Its New Zealand management said yesterday it had yet to decide whether to follow its Australian operation in ensuring no bottle or can of such products contained more than 20g of alcohol, or two standard drinks.
Lion Nathan's Australian division was also quick on Thursday to follow Fosters Group in announcing it would stop lacing drinks with energy additives such as caffeine, guarana or taurine - popular with nightclubbers for offsetting alcohol-induced drowsiness.
The company's McKenna Bourbon and Cola contains 2.3 standard drinks in a 330ml container with an alcohol content of 9 per cent.
It also sells a 7 per cent variant in a 250ml can, equivalent to 1.3 standard drinks, but with an energy additive.
Corporate affairs director Liz Read said the company would consider in the next few days whether to alter these products.
She noted Lion Nathan accounted for just 16 per cent of the ready-to-drink market, compared with Independent Liquor's 65 per cent.
The Australian moves come amid controversy over the use of sweet ready-to-drink products by under-age drinkers, which has prompted a Senate inquiry into alcohol advertising.
Alcohol Healthwatch director Rebecca Williams said reducing the alcohol content would not in itself stop binge drinking, and she called for higher taxation of all liquor to make it less accessible.
