Alcopops code still voluntary

In your news story on The Portman Group’s tough, new code of practice “New code to crack down on alco-pops” (MW July 17), you state that alcopops will have to be pre-vetted before they go on sale.

While we strongly urge producers to seek pre-launch advice from us if they are in any doubt as to a product’s conformity to the code, it remains a voluntary system.

Nevertheless, with the added teeth that we now have to enforce the code, we think it would be foolish for producers not to do all they can to avoid the possible expense and embarrassment of having to withdraw a new product if the Independent Complaints Panel were to find it in breach of the code.

Jean Coussins

Director

The Portman Group

London W1