Alcoholic Drinks to Carry Warning Labels

May 29, 12:21 PM

Current Headlines: Alcoholic drinks will get new warning labels under a Government scheme announced today.

In a voluntary agreement between ministers and the industry, all drinks will be expected to carry details of units and recommended safe drinking levels on their labels by the end of 2008. It follows a campaign led by liver expert Dr Chris Record, of Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, to get cigarette-style warnings on the dangers of alcohol printed on bottles.

At present, bottles and cans carry percentage details of alcohol and most carry unit information.

But the Government wants advice for pregnant women put on as well as recommendations for safe drinking. One unit is equivalent to a small glass of wine, half a pint of beer or a pub measure of spirits.

The move comes amid fears about the rise in binge drinking and an increase in alcohol-related diseases and death. Dr Record has said: "People do not know what amount of units are safe to drink - it needs to be advertised everywhere.

"Unless this information is everywhere it's not going to have any effect. It's like advertising a product - the greater the exposure, the more people know.

"Unit labelling or having health messages is no use unless it is coupled with figures for safe limits for consumption."

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