Why ale gets Brits bladdered

Date: 30/04/03

By Karen Carstens

BRITISH beer is under threat from a proposed law which would demand that every pump in the land must be labelled "contains fish products", warns UK MEP John Bowis.

Isinglass, derived from sturgeon swim bladders, has been used in the brewing of UK bitter for centuries without causing an allergic reaction, according to the Conservative spokesman on health in the Parliament.

But a European Commission proposal on the 'indication of ingredients present in foodstuffs' to be discussed today (30 April) by the Parliament's environment committee suggests isinglass is a potential allergen - and that bitter would consequently have to list fish as an ingredient. According to the British Beer & Pub Association, there is no alternative to using isinglass, also known as finings, in the traditional British beverage. Most lagers do not use isinglass. Bowis said breweries could only change their brewing process at great expense and many small breweries would be forced out of business.

"Isinglass was discovered by ancient Egyptians, who used the sturgeon to improve their drinks," he said. "Informed labelling gives customers the freedom to choose what they eat and drink, but this is a step too far. There is no evidence that isinglass is detrimental to health.

"The Commission must ensure that this perfectly safe tradition continues and does not fall foul of a fish fallacy."

Isinglass is made by dissolving the dried swim bladders of sturgeon in weak acid and is used to remove excess yeast, leaving a clearer liquid. Trace amounts remain but are so low as to be negligible, according to Bowis' office.

Beate Gminder, spokeswoman for Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne, said concerns were exaggerated as isinglass is likely to be defined as a processing aid, insisting it is "unlikely" that beer will have to be labelled for fish products.

British beer is under threat from a proposed law which would demand that every beer pump in the land must be labelled 'contains fish products', warns UK MEP John Bowis. Isinglass, derived from sturgeon swim bladders, has been used in the brewing of UK bitter for centuries.