Government to unveil alcohol health warning plans

The Government is expected to confirm plans to force alcohol brands to display health warnings on labels later today (15 February).

As revealed in Marketing Week earlier this month, the Government is frustrated with the drinks industry’s response to a voluntary agreement with the drinks industry and is reportedly ready to consult on proposals to ensure all alcoholic drinks carry health information.

The voluntary code of practice says alcohol labels should display five pieces of information – the unit content of each drink, a responsibility message, the address for alcohol information website Drinkaware, advice for pregnant women and daily drinking guidelines.

The news comes as a report from the Department of Health found that just 15% of drinks provide enough information about units and health harms. This followed a report by Alcohol Concern last September that found only 4% of products reviewed carried all five pieces of information.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the Government document will list three options for compliance: voluntary adherence, enforced compliance via industry body The Portman Group or required to comply by law.

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