Latest research, published today, demonstrates that drinks producers have failed to adhere to voluntary agreements with government on drinks labelling.
As a result of the poor response from the alcohol industry to voluntary agreements on alcohol labelling introduced in 2007, the government has reopened the public debate and announced its latest public consultation on the issue.
The ‘Consultation on options for improving information on the labels of alcoholic drinks to support consumers to make healthier choices in the UK’ is open for submissions until 9 May 2010.
Commenting on the announcement, Alcohol Concern Chief Executive Don Shenker said:
“We are pleased that the government is taking another look at alcohol labelling. The drinks industry has shown itself incapable, time and again, of complying with voluntary agreements – they are not interested in providing consumers with the information they need to make healthy choices about their drinking.
“With alcohol playing a factor in many strokes, heart disease and several cancers; causing a death every hour in England, all alcohol labels should have clearly displayed unit information, safe drinking guidelines and a health warning.
“This needs to be a mandatory part of all labels, policed through trading standards, with tough sanctions for non-compliance. We should all be able to enjoy a sociable drink – but we should all also be fully informed about the damage alcohol does if we regularly overindulge.”
Alcohol Concern