Food Safety Ministers agreed to the warning put forward by Food Standards Australia New Zealand which is a red, black and white warning, with the signal wording ‘pregnancy warning’.
Alcohol exposure in pregnancy can cause brain damage in unborn babies, resulting in lifelong disability as a result of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). It can also lead to increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and low birth weight.
VicHealth CEO Dr Sandro Demaio commended the Victorian Government’s significant role in today’s decision, which will help protect generations of children from the lifelong impact of alcohol harm.
“I applaud the strong leadership of Minister Mikakos and Minister Symes in standing up for the rights of children and families in voting for this critical protection against alcohol harm during pregnancy,” Dr Demaio said.
“This label will effectively warn the community of the significant harms of drinking alcohol products during pregnancy and save countless children from the lifelong impacts of devastating conditions like FASD.”
