Proposed alcoholic drink label 'warning to pregnant mothers'

Drink label 'warning to pregnant mothers'

Extract

"Wine, beer and spirits should carry words and pictures to warn expectant mothers of the risk they run of damaging their unborn child even if they drink only occasionally, the National Organisation on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome said.

Campaigners said that drinking during pregnancy could leave children mentally impaired, cause serious physical disabilities and even heart problems.

Despite the risks, nearly two thirds of women (61 per cent) drink at some stage during their pregnancy, according to the charity.

It believes that there should be a "zero tolerance" approach towards drinking while pregnant because of the magnitude of the risks.

Its warning comes amid widespread concern about the growing culture of binge-drinking among many young women.

The organisation, which held its annual conference in London yesterday, said that drink labelling with warnings aimed at women was already available in America, France and Finland."

Pregnant mothers should also be advised to reduce their salt intake to a minimum, both for the sake of their own health and that of the baby. See http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/pregnant_mothers.html