Several submissions advised that the warning should not be placed next to contradictory messages such as Others proposed it should be ‘enjoy responsibly’. located next to other consumer information such as standard drinks. Some industry submissions noted the need for flexibility with regard to position on the package to place the warning within the available space. Recommendations Consumer understanding of the current warning labels could be improved by increasing the size of the pictogram and text, using contrasting colours and legible fonts, changing the wording of the warning message, and using features such as borders and clear space around the warning to help the warning stand out and be distinctive from surrounding information on the label. Consumer testing should be undertaken to determine the most appropriate features of the pictogram. It is recommended that testing explores: image beer versus wine glass; – colour and contrast black with red prohibition symbol; black with charcoal – prohibition symbol (or vice versa); monotone with the line through the pregnant figure separated from the figure (e.g. in charcoal or black); and a range of other contrasting colours; size the minimum size recommended by DrinkWise and Cheers versus various – minimum percentages of the label; and location proximity to other information on the label. – The warning text should not be used on its own, but should be used in conjunction with the pictogram to explain women should not drink when pregnant. Consumer why testing of the warning text should explore: message – current DrinkWise messages; statements mandated internationally, such as in of France: “Consumption alcoholic pregnancy, beverages during even in small amounts, can have serious consequences for the child's health”; other statements such as “Don’t drink pregnant”; “Drinking while pregnant can hurt your harms your unborn baby”; “Alcohol baby”; alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth “Drinking defects”; statements including message not to drink when planning a pregnancy or when breastfeeding; and use of the word or “WARNING”, “HEALTH WARNING”, “GOVERNMENT WARNING”. size minimum font size – print bold typeface versus plain; uppercase versus lower case; – colour black, red, charcoal; – contrast use of clear space around the message; different text and background – combinations (e.g. black text on yellow background; red and black text on white background); and border colour; size; width. – The consumer testing should not be undertaken by industry in order to eliminate any perceptions of conflict of interest or bias. Ideally the warnings to be tested should be
Several submissions advised that the warning should not be placed next to contradictory messages such as ‘enjoy responsibly’. Others proposed it should be located next to other consumer information such as standard drinks. Some industry submissions noted the need for flexibility with regard to position on the package to place the warning within the available space. Recommendations Consumer understanding of the current warning labels could be improved by increasing the size of the pictogram and text, using contrasting colours and legible fonts, changing the wording of the warning message, and using features such as borders and clear space around the warning to help the warning stand out and be distinctive from surrounding information on the label. Consumer testing should be undertaken to determine the most appropriate features of the pictogram. It is recommended that testing explores: image – beer versus wine glass; colour and contrast – black with red prohibition symbol; black with charcoal prohibition symbol (or vice versa); monotone with the line through the pregnant figure separated from the figure (e.g. in charcoal or black); and a range of other contrasting colours; size – the minimum size recommended by DrinkWise and Cheers versus various minimum percentages of the label; and location – proximity to other information on the label. The warning text should not be used on its own, but should be used in conjunction with the pictogram to explain why women should not drink when pregnant. Consumer testing of the warning text should explore: message – current DrinkWise messages; statements mandated internationally, such as in France: “Consumption of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy, even in small amounts, can have serious consequences for the child's health”; other statements such as “Don’t drink pregnant”; “Drinking while pregnant can hurt your baby”; “Alcohol harms your unborn baby”; “Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects”; statements including message not to drink when planning a pregnancy or when breastfeeding; and use of the word “WARNING”, “HEALTH WARNING”, or “GOVERNMENT WARNING”. size – minimum font size print – bold typeface versus plain; uppercase versus lower case; colour – black, red, charcoal; contrast – use of clear space around the message; different text and background combinations (e.g. black text on yellow background; red and black text on white background); and border – colour; size; width. The consumer testing should not be undertaken by industry in order to eliminate any perceptions of conflict of interest or bias. Ideally the warnings to be tested should be
pregnancy_warning_labels_on_packaged_alcoholic_beverages_decision_ris.docx