As the World Cup draws near and beer lovers prepare to cheers their favourite teams, a new investigation from Hong Kong’s Consumer Council has raised serious concerns about the accuracy of alcohol labels and the presence of potentially harmful compounds in 30 popular beer brands. The study, published in the April 2024 issue of Choice magazine, found that six samples had alcohol content significantly different from what was stated on the packaging, while one imported beer from mainland China contained a toxin linked to nausea and even brain haemorrhage risks.
Alcohol Content Discrepancies
The Consumer Council purchased 30 canned or bottled beer samples—including mainstream names like Carlsberg, Blue Girl, San Miguel, 1664, Skol, and Blue Ice—from supermarkets, department stores, and retail outlets. Prices ranged from HK$4.50 to HK$50 per can or bottle, with volumes between 330 ml and 500 ml.
Laboratory tests revealed that four samples had alcohol concentrations at least 0.5% higher than labelled: San Miguel, Ghost Beer, M&S, and Harbin Beer. The most glaring case was Harbin Beer, which claimed “more than or equal to 3.7% alcohol” but actually contained 4.67%—a gap of 0.97% based on the minimum stated value. Two other brands, Yau Son and YAMAGUCHI, fell short of their labels by more than 0.5% (0.64% and 0.58% lower, respectively). These four samples did not meet the European Union’s tolerance standards for alcohol labelling.
Biogenic Amines Raise Health Concerns
All 30 samples tested positive for biogenic amines, natural compounds formed during fermentation that can serve as indicators of quality and hygiene. Excessive intake of these substances may cause headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and respiratory disturbances, and in severe cases, has been linked to brain haemorrhage. Biogenic amines can also react with nitrites to form nitrosamines, a group of carcinogenic compounds.
Harbin Beer showed the highest levels of putrescine and tyramine, while Coopers Brewery and Carlsberg tied for the highest concentrations of putrescine and agmatine (ranging from 32.8 to 121.4 mg per litre). Carlsberg stood out for containing the widest variety of biogenic amines—seven types—earning it only 2.5 out of 5 points in the safety assessment, and a total score of 3, placing it second-last alongside Coopers Brewery.
Vomitoxin Found in One Sample
Among the eight mycotoxins tested, only Harbin Beer was found to contain deoxynivalenol (DON), also known as vomitoxin, at 26 micrograms per kilogram. DON is produced by Fusarium fungi that infect wheat and corn, common ingredients in beer production. While a 60 kg adult would need to consume four cans in a single day to reach unsafe levels, acute exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and fever within 30 minutes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies DON as a Group 3 substance—not yet proven to cause cancer in humans.
What Consumers Should Know
The Consumer Council’s findings highlight the importance of reading labels critically and being aware that even well-known brands may fall short of advertised alcohol content. For those planning to celebrate the World Cup, moderation remains key—not only to avoid overconsumption of alcohol but also to minimise potential exposure to biogenic amines and mycotoxins.
Ten brands received a five-star overall rating from the Council, though the full list was not published in the initial report. Consumers are encouraged to check the Choice magazine article for detailed rankings and to consider opting for reputable brands with transparent labelling.
Moving forward, the Council urges regulators to tighten oversight on alcohol content declarations and to establish local safety limits for biogenic amines and mycotoxins in beer. For now, Hong Kong’s beer drinkers have a clear takeaway: when you raise a glass, make sure you know what’s really inside.