My View: Pregnancy Labelling

Written by Harpers Editorial team

Friday, 11 April 2008

Last month the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) outlined new guidelines for alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Information on labels is only one way to communicate a pregnancy message

The new guidelines were in agreement with the Department of Health and the Government's chief medical officer's views, which state that women should avoid alcohol if pregnant or trying to conceive.

Diageo Great Britain has called on the Government to
make the inclusion of pregnancy guidance on alcohol beverage labels mandatory, something we believe to be crucial if we are
to avoid confusion amongst women.

For example, if a pregnant woman walks into a shop and sees two bottles of wine, one with a pregnancy message on it and another without, we want to avoid her thinking that one is better for her than the other.

The updated NICE guidelines give the Government an opportunity to provide clear and consistent advice for
antenatal care in relation to alcohol.

We believe that all alcohol producers should include the
new guidance on their products. Now is the time for
the Government to make it a mandatory requirement.

But it is important to remember that information on labels is only one way to communicate a pregnancy message. Labelling will only be effective if it comes as part of a wider package of
responsible-drinking communication.

Kate Blakeley is head of social responsibility at Diageo GB

Martin Moran said:

No one would encourage drinking during pregnancy but this comment from the website (rcog.org) of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynacologists is interesting on thier page about alcohol and pregnancy: "Small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy (not more than one to two units, not more than once or twice a week) have not been shown to be harmful." So total avoidance may not be needed. Should women believe 'NICE' or the RCOG?

report abuse

vote down

vote up

April 14, 2008
Votes: +0

Alvaro Covarrubias said:

	Alcohol labeling is becoming another "PC gone mad" issue. These days pregnant women know mighty well they are not supposed to drink alcohol or smoke during pregnancy. It seems its the industry (and government) that is trying to avoid liabilities and being sued. It is also a well known fact that most people don't read past the first paragraph on back labels anyway.
	report abuse vote down vote up