The WA government is calling for nationwide support for mandatory pregnancy health warnings on alcoholic beverages. 20/11/17
Alcohol sold in Australia should be labelled with mandatory health warnings for pregnant and breastfeeding women, the West Australian government says.
WA Health Minister Roger Cook is calling for state, territory and federal governments to support compulsory health warnings on alcohol, ahead of the Australian and New Zealand ministerial forum on food regulation on Friday.
"Increasing awareness of the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is essential," Mr Cook said.
A foetus exposed to alcohol can suffer from lifelong, adverse effects to their brain and organs, known as foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
"The failure to act on this issue is inexcusable and is putting lives of vulnerable children at risk," Mr Cook said.
Currently, warning labels are voluntary.
