(F.A.S.D Day 9th of 9th 2023)
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy has long been recognized as a significant health concern due to its potential to cause severe developmental issues in foetuses. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a preventable brain disease that can affect a child's lifelong health and well-being when a pregnant woman consumes alcohol.
Completely incurable – But totally Preventable!
After years of lobbying from many prevention focused groups, not least Dalgarno Institute, for governments to address this pressing issue, the Australian government finally acquiesced, amidst continuing Big Alcohol pressure, to mandate the implementation of warning labels on alcoholic beverages to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
However, a disturbing pattern is emerging where alcohol retailers are attempting to delay or circumvent these vital warnings. According to mandates agreed upon (Food Standards ANZ), as of 31st of July 2020, alcohol and pregnancy warning labels were supposed to be in play, at least on all packaged liquor, but clearly this is still far from done. ‘Optional’ recommendations of alternative requirements for pregnancy warning labels for corrugated cardboard outer packaging were also introduced on 4 May 2023. So, if the industry is still stalling on the mandatory, you can be rest assured, the ‘opt in’ recs will be stalled indefinitely.
This article delves into the issues surrounding toxic alcohol marketing and sales modes, particularly the delay tactics employed by alcohol retailers regarding warning labels related to pregnancy and the ‘wild west’ that is online sales and delivery.
