Health-Washing in Plain Sight: Exposing the Misleading Philippines Standards Coalition
Posted on October 28, 2024 in Bacardi, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Deception, PhilippinesA new initiative, the Philippines Standards Coalition, has launched to address what it calls “harmful alcohol use.” Backed by global alcohol giants Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Moët Hennessy, Brown-Forman, and Bacardi, whose profits depend on high-risk alcohol use and alcohol sales to minors, this coalition claims to be working to “reduce harm.” However, this approach misleads the public and deflects attention from the need for policies that reduce overall alcohol consumption, not just “harmful use.”
The focus on “harmful alcohol use” is fundamentally flawed. By concentrating solely on “harmful use,” the industry diverts attention from evidence-based policy solutions, reinforcing the idea that some levels of alcohol use are safe or even beneficial. Yet, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), no level of alcohol consumption is safe, and effective public health measures need to focus on reducing total consumption. Research shows that reducing overall alcohol consumption directly reduces alcohol-related harm across society, from health issues to social impacts like violence and accidents.
This coalition’s initiative is an example of health-washing—using health-centered language to gain credibility while protecting corporate profits. Instead of promoting genuine public health measures, such as higher taxes, marketing restrictions, or policies that limit alcohol availability, Diageo and Heineken are setting standards that make alcohol use appear controllable and safe. Real progress on public health requires independent policies aimed at reducing alcohol consumption, not industry-led coalitions that prioritize profits over well-being.
Manipulation is Big Alcohol’s activity to control its image. The alcohol industry engages in manipulation activities to protect and cultivate their image and the values of their brands. Deploying manipulation strategies serves for Big Alcohol to appear as “good corporate citizens”. The focus of the DUBIOUS FIVE strategy of manipulation is the alcohol company, their brands and value. Examples are Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), green-washing, pink-washing, rainbow-washing, or white-washing activities.