Alcohol companies to deliver health labelling pledge

Alcohol producers are on track to deliver their pledge to provide health information on 80% of alcohol labels on UK shelves by the end of December 2013, according to new data.

Under the government’s Public Health Responsibility Deal, alcohol producers have volunteered to feature three elements of health-related advisory information on product labels by the end of December 2013.

These elements are the unit content, the chief medical officer’s sensible drinking guidelines and a warning about alcohol and pregnancy.

Data compiled by the Portman Group shows that the current compliance is over 60% with 18 months still remaining.

More companies are expected to confirm their pledges in the coming months and many companies are taking the opportunity to include a reference to the Drinkaware website and a “please drink responsibly” message.

Henry Ashworth, chief executive of the Portman Group and co-chair of the Responsibility Deal Alcohol Network said: “It’s encouraging to see drinks producers making good progress on this pledge but there is still some way to go to ensure 80% of products in UK stores are carrying this information by 2015. With 18 months remaining, I am confident that we will get there but now is the time for drinks producers who haven’t yet signed up to get on and do so.

“The Responsibility Deal is a good framework for the industry to focus its efforts in this area and provide consumers with important health information on labels.”