Some in the scientific community are attempting to persuade the public that moderate alcohol consumption will lead to an early grave. And the fearmongering is creeping into official policy.

As part of the process to publish the latest edition of federal dietary guidelines, an advisory committee has suggested cutting the daily maximum number of drinks for men to one. The departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, which have final decision-making authority on whether to adopt the advisory committee’s suggestion, should resist the rubber stamp. The science is not supportive of such drastic change.