Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect of mandatory labelling on all alcoholic products on the incidence of foetal alcohol spectrum disorders; and if he will make a statement.

The Government is committed to improving the labelling of alcoholic drinks, including a warning to avoid alcohol for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive. It is not mandatory to include warnings on drinking in pregnancy on labels. However, as part of the Public Health Responsibility Deal, alcohol retailers and producers have a responsibility to help raise this awareness and have committed to putting an agreed warning or a pregnancy warning logo on 80% of labels on bottles and cans.

An independent market survey has been carried out which we expect to be published shortly.

The evidence is that health information on labels should not be considered a standalone measure, but part of broader efforts to raise consumer awareness and education on the health risks linked to alcohol consumption.

This is supported by research commissioned by the Department in 2005 to review the evidence around the effectiveness of alcohol harm reduction communications and related campaigns.

The Chief Medical Officer is currently overseeing a United Kingdom-wide review of all alcohol guidelines so that people can make informed choices about their drinking at all stages of their lives.

The review will specifically include consideration of health risks for women from alcohol consumption. We expect to be able to consult on new draft guidelines by summer 2015.