You could soon see some warning labels on your beer in Antigonish.
Dr. Kara Thompson from St. FX is working with Candid Brewery to teach people about alcohol and the risk of cancer.
Thompson, the Research Chair in Substance Use and Prevention at the University, says alcohol is a serious public health issue that is often overlooked.
“This partnership with Candid Brewing demonstrates how researchers and local businesses can work together to close information gaps and support healthier, more informed choices. It’s about transparency, trust, and giving people the knowledge they deserve,” wrote Thompson in a news release.
The Canadian Cancer Society says nearly half of people in the country do not know alcohol causes cancer, based on their polling in February.
Bryan Druhan, the co-founder of Candid Brewing, says the goal is not to discourage responsible drinking.
“We live in an age of overwhelming access to information. We stand behind the products that we make and are happy to present our customers with an accessible way to understand the current public health recommendations around alcohol consumption,” says Bryan Druhan, co-founder of Candid Brewing, in the news release.
Part of those guidelines called for better labelling on packages.
The new labels will come out in the next few weeks and will include:
- the number of standard drinks per container
- a warning about the connection between alcohol and cancer
- Canada’s updated national guidelines on alcohol and health
This project will also track how the community responds to the labels to see how or if they make an impact on alcohol sales, helping to shape the future of alcohol policy.
Druhan said their business hopes to influence others.
“We believe small producers can be big leaders,” added Mr. Druhan. “If our team can take this step, so can others.”
