WA call to support pregnancy warning label on alcohol standard

  • Pregnancy warning label important first step to reduce harmful effects of drinking alcohol during pregnancy
  • Standard vital to help protect the safety, health and wellbeing of unborn babies and future generations
  • The McGowan Government is calling on the Commonwealth and all Australian States and Territories to support the pregnancy warning label on alcohol standard ahead of tomorrow’s Australian and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation.

    The pregnancy warning label has been designed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) based on best scientific practice, legislative requirements, stakeholder input and cost benefit analysis.

    The National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines clearly state pregnant women should avoid alcohol consumption.

    Drinking alcohol while pregnant can impact the development of the embryo or fetus, resulting in a range of permanent adverse effects to the brain and organs of the unborn child –

    collectively known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders or FASD.

    FASD is recognised as the leading known cause of non-genetic developmental disability in Australia. There is no cure for FASD and its effects last a lifetime.

    FSANZ is the independent authority whose primary statutory objective when developing food standards is to protect public health and safety.

    FSANZ determined that the pregnancy warning label would not impose an unreasonable cost burden on industry.

    It also determined that retaining the colour red on the label was essential to ensure impact – highlighting the prevalence and severity of FASD.

    As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:

    “Effective mandatory labelling to increase awareness of the dangers of alcohol during pregnancy is long overdue.

    “Alcohol is harmful to unborn babies – it is time to put the safety, health and wellbeing of our babies and our future generations first.

    “We know that consumption of alcohol during pregnancy is having a damaging effect on our communities in WA and across Australia.

    “This is an essential first step to reduce the harmful effects of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and the incidence of FASD.”

    Women who are concerned about their alcohol use during pregnancy or their child’s development, should talk to a health professional or call the Alcohol and Drug Support Line on 9442 5000

    /Public Release. View in full here.