Drinks makers snub plans for alcohol warning labels

Labels on bottles and cans would state how many units of alcohol they contain and set down safe consumption levels.

But in a move that has angered the industry, the warnings would also urge pregnant women to avoid wine, beer and spirits altogether.

Manufacturers said this advice was not backed up by scientific research.

One industry leader described the voluntary scheme as premature and accused Health Minister Caroline Flint of publicity-seeking.

Among the firms which have not signed up to the plans so far are Scottish & Newcastle, Bacardi, Carlsberg and Diageo which owns Guinness, Blossom Hill, Baileys and Smirnoff.

Miss Flint hailed the benefits of the proposed labelling regime on a tour of radio and TV studios.

She suggested a deal had been agreed with manufacturers and that the warnings would be on products by the end of next year.

"We have agreed this voluntary alcohol labelling approach," she said.

"It is a landmark step in the way we address these issues."

She made no reference however to the industry's doubts about the pregnancy warning.

Ministers insist on advising expectant women to avoid alcohol despite accepting that there is no evidence that one or two drinks a week harms a developing baby.

Miss Flint told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "I don't think the advice is out of step with the evidence and science.

"There is not any consistent evidence that low to moderate consumption of alcohol during pregnancy has any adverse effects.

"But...if you want the safest possible option then avoiding alcohol is the best option."

A senior drinks industry figure, who did not want to be named, said: "The time they have chosen to make this announcement is premature.

"The package around advice to consumers is still under discussion.

"There is a fundamental philosophical difference between the Government's idea for a health warning label around pregnancy and what we think is sensible advice to consumers.

"The minister has put a high priority on this and we support what she is trying to do, but some people in the industry see this as a publicity-stunt.

"Ministers are transitory, but the industry will have to live with the far-reaching consequences of whatever is eventually decided.

"Most of the industry wonder whether warning labels are the best option for giving advice around alcohol and pregnancy.

"We don't like the terminology being used and think there are other ways to get the message across.

"Pregnant women are only a small minority of the population and they get direct advice from their doctors anyway."

Diageo indicated it prefers to issue its own health advice to customers. Carlsberg said it could not give a commitment to include a pregnancy warning.

Scottish & Newcastle, which owns Foster's, John Smith's and Strongbow, said its labels already carried most of the Department of Health's suggested information.