Several large French groups are progressively banning alcohol at professional events. The measure, initiated notably by EDF at the end of 2025, targets public health and risk prevention.
Business dinners and seminars now take place without wine or alcohol, replaced by still water or pineapple juice. Sommelier Clotilde Mengin observes this shift in her Nancy establishment, where team tables order less and less wine.
An executive at a large international group received an official email from the CEO banning any alcohol orders for internal or external events. Expense reports no longer cover alcoholic beverages and cider has disappeared from king cakes.
Employees react in a divided manner. Some see it as infantilization, while others believe habits are evolving normally. In some cases, alcohol remains tolerated only outside the professional setting.
