many uncertainties and risks with the voluntary approaches to recommend that pregnancy warning labels on packaged alcoholic beverages continue on a voluntary basis. A mandatory approach is the only option that can ensure that pregnancy warning labels are applied across all packaged alcoholic beverages (i.e. all types of packaged alcoholic beverages and domestic and imported products), in a manner that is likely to be understood by the target audience, and consistent with government advice. It is also the only option that provides for enforcement by the existing food enforcement authorities. Transition periods and stock-in-trade exemptions could be introduced to minimise the impact on industry as much as possible. Mandatory pregnancy warning labels recognises the significance of FASD and its impact on individuals, families and the community. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy affects a third-party (the unborn child) and regulation is necessary to help protect this vulnerable group. Mandatory warning labelling for packaged alcoholic beverages is consistent with mandatory pregnancy warning/advisory labels that are required under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code for products such as formulated caffeinated beverages and formulated supplementary sports foods. It is also consistent with labelling requirements for other products that are harmful to the developing fetus such as tobacco. The effectiveness of labelling in changing consumer behaviour varies across products; however approach to improving the information available to consumers governments’ is a key policy lever. It is expected that despite the uncertainty around how many FASD cases mandatory labelling will prevent, and to what extent, the change in both occurrence and level of drinking in pregnant women will outweigh the cost of moving to mandatory labelling. This approach, in conjunction with other measures being funded by the Australian and New Zealand governments, is considered the approach most likely to shift the cultural norm by reminding pregnant women and their partners, friends and families of the hazards of drinking while pregnant. It is therefore the approach most likely to result in a reduction in the incidence and severity of FASD. Implementation It is recommended that the Forum request that FSANZ develop a mandatory labelling standard for pregnancy warning labels on packaged alcoholic beverages. In implementing the preferred option it is recommended FSANZ give consideration to including a two to three year transition period to minimise impacts on industry in introducing mandatory pregnancy warning labels. It is recommended that FSANZ give consideration to stock-in-trade exemptions so that products that have already been packaged and labelled prior to the end of the transition period would not have to change their label. Label design
many uncertainties and risks with the voluntary approaches to recommend that pregnancy warning labels on packaged alcoholic beverages continue on a voluntary basis. A mandatory approach is the only option that can ensure that pregnancy warning labels are applied across all packaged alcoholic beverages (i.e. all types of packaged alcoholic beverages and domestic and imported products), in a manner that is likely to be understood by the target audience, and consistent with government advice. It is also the only option that provides for enforcement by the existing food enforcement authorities. Transition periods and stock-in-trade exemptions could be introduced to minimise the impact on industry as much as possible. Mandatory pregnancy warning labels recognises the significance of FASD and its impact on individuals, families and the community. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy affects a third-party (the unborn child) and regulation is necessary to help protect this vulnerable group. Mandatory warning labelling for packaged alcoholic beverages is consistent with mandatory pregnancy warning/advisory labels that are required under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code for products such as formulated caffeinated beverages and formulated supplementary sports foods. It is also consistent with labelling requirements for other products that are harmful to the developing fetus such as tobacco. The effectiveness of labelling in changing consumer behaviour varies across products; however governments’ approach to improving the information available to consumers is a key policy lever. It is expected that despite the uncertainty around how many FASD cases mandatory labelling will prevent, and to what extent, the change in both occurrence and level of drinking in pregnant women will outweigh the cost of moving to mandatory labelling. This approach, in conjunction with other measures being funded by the Australian and New Zealand governments, is considered the approach most likely to shift the cultural norm by reminding pregnant women and their partners, friends and families of the hazards of drinking while pregnant. It is therefore the approach most likely to result in a reduction in the incidence and severity of FASD. Implementation It is recommended that the Forum request that FSANZ develop a mandatory labelling standard for pregnancy warning labels on packaged alcoholic beverages. In implementing the preferred option it is recommended FSANZ give consideration to including a two to three year transition period to minimise impacts on industry in introducing mandatory pregnancy warning labels. It is recommended that FSANZ give consideration to stock-in-trade exemptions so that products that have already been packaged and labelled prior to the end of the transition period would not have to change their label. Label design
pregnancy_warning_labels_on_packaged_alcoholic_beverages_decision_ris.docx