Poland lost the battle for vodka definition

The European Parliament decided that spirits based on bananas and grapes can also be marketed under the vodka label. Poland has been pushing for a vodka definition that only comprises spirits distilled from rye, potatoes and molasses obtained from raw sugar.

According to Andrzej Szumowski, chairman of the Polish Vodka Association, Poland as one of the biggest vodka producers in Europe wanted to prove that vodka is no ordinary alcohol, but a product distilled in accordance with strict formulas dating back to 600 years ago.

However, the definition accepted by the European Parliament includes a provision whereby vodka may also be distilled from other products, provided that the applicable information is included in the label.

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