Washington, D.C. (Jan. 7, 2025) — The American Distilled Spirits Alliance (ADSA) welcomes the release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the federal government’s decision to maintain the longstanding guidance that adults who choose to consume alcohol should do so in moderation.
For more than four decades, the Dietary Guidelines have provided balanced, evidence-based recommendations intended to inform consumers and guide federal food and beverage policy. The updated Guidelines appropriately reflect the preponderance of scientific evidence and are consistent with prior editions, reinforcing moderation while recognizing that alcohol is not appropriate for everyone.
ADSA supports a science-driven approach to public policy that is transparent, rigorous, and grounded in consensus research. As Congress directed, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine conducted a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on alcohol and health, and its findings were an important input to this process. Respecting that work helps ensure the Dietary Guidelines remain credible, durable, and useful to policymakers and consumers alike.
Recent congressional oversight has underscored the importance of safeguarding the integrity of federal review processes. Maintaining clear boundaries between scientific evaluation and advocacy is essential to preserving public confidence in government decision-making and in the expert committees charged with informing it.
The distilled spirits industry is committed to responsibility, compliance, and consumer choice within a well-regulated marketplace. Clear, evidence-based federal guidance plays an important role in promoting informed decision-making while avoiding confusion, unintended consequences, or policy outcomes that are disconnected from the underlying science.
ADSA looks forward to continuing to work with the Administration, Congress, and allied stakeholders to support balanced policies that reflect both sound science and the realities of a diverse, regulated food and beverage marketplace.
About the American Distilled Spirits Alliance
The American Distilled Spirits Alliance (ADSA) is a national trade association representing leading producers, marketers, and importers of distilled spirits operating in the United States. Representing over 60% of the domestic market, ADSA serves as a collective voice for industry leaders. Our members are committed to a transparent, dynamic, and well-regulated marketplace that empowers consumers with a diverse selection of distilled spirits.
Guided by its mission, ADSA advocates for science-based, predictable public policy across tax, trade, public health, and regulatory frameworks. The Alliance works to champion consumer choice and responsible consumption while supporting regulatory and taxation environments that are clear, consistent, and grounded in evidence. ADSA engages constructively with policymakers, regulators, and allied stakeholders to ensure that public policy reflects both sound science and practical implementation.
ADSA is a member-driven organization that prioritizes thoughtful governance, collaboration, and long-term industry sustainability. Through policy advocacy, coalition engagement, and strategic leadership, ADSA works to strengthen the distilled spirits sector’s ability to compete, innovate, and contribute to a stable and credible food and beverage marketplace in the United States.