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Alcoholic Drinks: Labelling

Volume 468: debated on Monday 26 November 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with other European Union member states on alcohol warning labels; and if he will make a statement. (166022)

The Committee on National Policy and Action is part of the implementation structure for the European Union Alcohol Strategy. It met in Luxembourg on 5 November.

The Committee heard a presentation by the representative of Finland about its recent notification to the Commission stating an intention to legislate for a warning label in both Finnish and Swedish for alcohol products marketed in Finland.

The United Kingdom representative described the voluntary agreement made with the UK alcohol industry in May 2007 for the inclusion of information on labels relating to alcohol unit content and guidelines on sensible daily consumption, along with advice on alcohol and pregnancy; and argued for an approach which provides information to consumers on alcohol unit content and sensible daily consumption, rather than generalised warnings about alcohol.