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News
Polish propose health warnings on drinks labels
The Polish government is planning to impose the addition of health warnings for pregnant women, minors and drivers to the labels of all alcoholic drinks sold within the country. According to the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) the proposed law will give the Polish health minister “authority to define the content, location and size of the text.”
Currently, the suggested changes are in draft form and there is no timetable for implementation. However, if the proposals do become legislation, drinks companies will have 12 months to adjust to the regulations.
The WSTA hopes to be able to persuade the UK government and other EU member states to object to the proposals on the grounds that they will introduce significant barriers to trade.
The news from Poland comes shortly after the UK government put forward a standard format for the labeling of alcoholic drinks sold in the British market. This suggests the inclusion of four legible messages: firstly, a sensible drinking message; secondly, the alcohol content in units; thirdly, a warning for women who are pregnant, and finally, the address for the responsible drinking website, Drinkaware (see April’s drinks business for more details and a picture of the proposed label).
Furthermore, in France, by October this year, all alcoholic drinks must include a logo warning women of the dangers of drinking when pregnant, while Scandinavian countries are considering labeling legislation in relation to a number of issues. Also, drinks giant Pernod Ricard is putting warnings for pregnant women on all its drinks brands sold in the EU.
A European Commission report showed that alcohol is the third biggest cause of premature death and illness in the EU, responsible for 195,000 deaths each year. However, many question whether cigarette packet-style health warnings on alcoholic products will be effective in combating excessive drinking. Also, varying laws in each EU member state has serious implications for the free movement of goods.
The WSTA says it is “currently working towards a pan-European solution to these issues.”
© db Patrick Schmitt, 11/04/07