Table 4: Policy options for pregnancy warning labels on packaged alcoholic beverages Policy Description Examples Pros Cons option Option Industry discretion is permitted in Current situation. Overall use of these labels using the Changes to 1a) which labelling to apply to is currently relatively high; DrinkWise and alcohol labelling products, with one option to use DrinkWise and Cheers also however some sectors need Cheers labels elements (e.g. Status the DrinkWise or Cheers label increase efforts in promoting the further encouragement to supports a level of potential energy quo. designs, or any other label design. uptake, and use of consistent adopt the labels. consistency in content labelling, warning labels amongst industry labelling, it does or labelling groups. Minimal cost to industry, not fully overcome introduced by as many products are the variation in industry in already using the labels. labelling styles and response to wording that has consumer The policy is consistent been observed. demand e.g. with international This can lead to free’ or ‘gluten arrangements where consumer recycling companies have signed up confusion and messages) could to voluntary labelling misinterpretation. compete for commitments. space with The DrinkWise pregnancy text also promotes warning labels a message that the and may reduce option’ is the uptake of the ‘safest not to drink alcohol voluntary which is not pregnancy labels. consistent with New Zealand Current situation Government where some guidelines, and products do not research shows the display the message can be pregnancy
Table 4: Policy options for pregnancy warning labels on packaged alcoholic beverages Policy option Description Examples Pros Cons Option 1a) Status quo. Industry discretion is permitted in which labelling to apply to products, with one option to use the DrinkWise or Cheers label designs, or any other label design. Current situation. DrinkWise and Cheers also increase efforts in promoting the uptake, and use of consistent warning labels amongst industry groups. Overall use of these labels is currently relatively high; however some sectors need further encouragement to adopt the labels. Minimal cost to industry, as many products are already using the labels. The policy is consistent with international arrangements where companies have signed up to voluntary labelling commitments. using the DrinkWise and Cheers labels supports a level of consistency in labelling, it does not fully overcome the variation in labelling styles and wording that has been observed. This can lead to consumer confusion and misinterpretation. The DrinkWise text also promotes a message that the ‘safest option’ is not to drink alcohol which is not consistent with New Zealand Government guidelines, and research shows the message can be Changes to alcohol labelling elements (e.g. potential energy content labelling, or labelling introduced by industry in response to consumer demand e.g. ‘gluten free’ or recycling messages) could compete for space with pregnancy warning labels and may reduce the uptake of the voluntary pregnancy labels. Current situation where some products do not display the pregnancy
consultation_regulation_impact_statement_-_pregnancy_warning_labels_on_packaged_alcohol_beverages.docx