The U.S. government is considering a major change to its dietary guidelines that would eliminate the longstanding recommendation to limit alcohol intake to one or two drinks per day. According to Reuters, the revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans—due later this month—are likely to contain only a short statement encouraging moderation, without specific daily limits. However, the final version is still under development and could change before publication.
Since 1990, the guidelines have advised that men consume no more than two alcoholic drinks per day and women no more than one. The proposed shift would move away from quantifying moderation, a change some researchers view as vague and potentially misleading. Dr. Silvia Balbo of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health criticized the move as a “missed opportunity” to clearly communicate alcohol-related health risks. She argues that consumers need concrete guidance to make informed decisions.
The debate occurs amid growing awareness of alcohol’s links to health problems. Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy highlighted in a January report the association between alcohol consumption and at least seven cancers, including breast, liver, and throat cancer (inside.beer, 06.01.2025). While some studies suggest that moderate alcohol use may reduce risks of stroke or overall mortality, others warn that any level of consumption may increase cancer risks.
The updated guidelines are being developed jointly by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Though neither agency has confirmed the change, multiple sources familiar with the process say the specific drink limits are likely to be removed from the main text and possibly included only in an appendix.
The alcohol industry has lobbied extensively throughout the review process. Major players such as Anheuser-Busch InBev and Diageo spent millions on related lobbying efforts and saw share price gains after the reports emerged. Industry group Science Over Bias, which represents alcohol producers and retailers, stressed that the guidelines should rely on robust, unbiased science.
Despite these developments, many Americans remain unaware of the risks: only 45% know alcohol can cause cancer, compared to over 80% for tobacco, asbestos, and radiation. Public health agencies in other countries take more cautious approaches. Canada recommends no more than two drinks per day for women and three for men, while the United Kingdom advises a weekly limit of 14 units. The World Health Organization goes further, stating there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
The final decision on the U.S. guidelines is pending. Until then, the proposed removal of numeric limits remains under debate—balancing public health concerns with industry interests.
