| Alcohol products are one of the many items whose | | | | drinking whilst pregnant, a logo and link for the |
| labels come under close scrutiny by both Government | | | | Drinkaware website and a clear display of the NHS's |
| regulators and public advocacy groups. Since 2007, the | | | | recommended limits on alcohol consumption. |
| alcohol industry has adopted and followed an | | | | Unfortunately, in the words of the government's |
| independent set of rules for the naming, packaging and | | | | consultation on alcohol labels, "the industry has failed to |
| promotion of its products under the guise of industry | | | | deliver". By 2008 only 6% of alcohol labels had this |
| body The Portman Group. | | | | information and it is believed that only 15% carry this |
| However in the near future, the Portman Group's | | | | information today. |
| voluntary code of conduct is likely to give way to legal | | | | Since February, the health department has been |
| requirements for labels, which could include the | | | | considering making this information mandatory. |
| introduction of health warnings to product labels and | | | | Additionally, it may require manufacturers to place |
| clearer labelling on the number of units contained within | | | | warnings in clear view - on the front of packaging. |
| each drink. | | | | Although this has been opposed by the Portman |
| Under the Portman Group's code, labels for alcohol | | | | Group, a YouGov survey conducted in May 2010 |
| products must convey the alcoholic nature of a drink | | | | suggests that the public would welcome clearer |
| with "absolute clarity" - generally understood as | | | | information on all alcohol products. 60% of those |
| displaying the alcohol content in terms of percentage | | | | surveyed said that alcohol labels should contain health |
| per millilitre of liquid. Beyond this there are few | | | | warnings similar to cigarette packets and other |
| requirements, other than ensuring that labels and | | | | tobacco products. |
| packaging doesn't encourage unhealthy 'binge' drinking, | | | | Now the industry is under pressure to see if its |
| target under 18's or associate the product with a | | | | voluntary code can have an impact on product labels |
| variety of illicit activities or implausible benefits. | | | | found in stores. Ministers have set a target of 2012 for |
| In a voluntary agreement with the government in 2007, | | | | "at least 50%" of all cans and bottles to carry health |
| the Portman group agreed that five 'key pieces' of | | | | warnings and the other four items of information. If it |
| information would be introduced to product labels. | | | | does not then a mandatory labelling scheme seems |
| These included the number of alcoholic units per drink, | | | | certain for distillers, wine makers and brewers |
| a message about responsible drinking, a warning on | | | | throughout the UK. |