Health call on alcohol labelling

12 April 2012

Alcohol labelling must be overhauled to stop profit being put above public health, a campaign group has said.

A report by Alcohol Concern, called Message on a Bottle, found that only 4% of drinks sold by supermarkets adhered to best practice when it came to labelling.

Less than a fifth (18%) had information about sensible drinking levels and just over half (56%) explained the number of units.

The charity called on the Government to make the industry display unit information, advised maximum drinking levels and health warnings on labels.

Supermarkets should also only be allowed to promote products that stick to the rules, Alcohol Concern said.

Chief executive of the charity Don Shenker said: "There is a huge disparity between the drinks industry's enthusiasm to promote and advertise alcohol to the public and their willingness to give consumers the facts about what they are drinking.

Supermarkets promote alcohol at irresponsibly low prices and do very little to ensure that consumers have sufficient information to make healthy choices about their consumption.

"Profit is clearly being put above public health and it is time for government to act."

The report examined products sold in Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose, and found that while their own drinks were mostly well-labelled the retailers sold other products which did not carry health information.

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