The U.S. government is preparing to revise its longstanding dietary guidelines by removing the daily recommended alcohol limits, according to a report from Reuters. The updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, expected as early as this month, would no longer specify a maximum number of drinks per day, a notable shift that could mark a win for the alcohol industry.
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Three sources told Reuters the revised guidance will likely include only a general suggestion to drink in moderation or limit intake due to known health risks. The final language remains under review and may still change, a source involved in the development process told the outlet.
End of Specific Guidelines for Drinks
Since 1990, the guidelines have advised women to consume no more than one drink per day and men no more than two. This definition of moderation aligns with recommendations in several other countries. Canada, for example, recently warned that health risks may increase after just two drinks per week, although its official guidance still allows up to two or three drinks per day depending on gender.
Even low to moderate alcohol intake has been linked to certain health concerns, including a higher risk of breast cancer. However, some studies have also suggested that light drinking may lower the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular issues. The science remains mixed, and officials say that's part of the reason for the shift away from firm numbers.
A source involved in the process told Reuters the evidence is not strong enough to justify specific daily limits. Instead, the aim is to keep the guidelines rooted in the most robust and current research.
Mixed Reactions
The Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture are jointly responsible for issuing the dietary guidelines, which shape a range of national health policies, including school lunch standards and physician recommendations.
Major alcohol producers, including Anheuser-Busch InBev and Diageo, have reportedly lobbied lawmakers during the review process. Public Senate filings show both companies spent millions in 2024 and 2025 on issues tied to tax, trade, and nutrition guidelines.
Shares in both firms climbed following the leak of the expected change.
But some public health advocates say the new language risks confusing consumers. Eva Greenthal, a senior policy scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, told Reuters that removing the numeric guidelines makes the advice "so vague as to be unhelpful." She warned that softening the message could downplay the cancer risks tied to even modest drinking.
