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
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.
Martin Moran
14 Apr 2008 11:52:30
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?
Information on labels is only one way to communicate a pregnancy message
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