On July 18, 2023, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry issued a notice titled Guidance on Pregnancy Warning Labels on Imported Alcoholic Drinks. Regarding the impending requirements for pregnancy warning labels, this guidance serves as a reminder to importers of alcoholic beverages intended for retail sale.
From July 31, 2023, all packaged and individual alcoholic drinks with more than 1.15% alcohol by volume are required to display a pregnancy warning label if they are:
either for retail sale in Australia and New Zealand or sold as suitable for retail sale without any further processing, packaging or labelling,
and do not include beverages sold for retail sale that are packaged in the presence of the purchaser
The label means either the pregnancy warning pictogram or the pregnancy warning mark illustrated below. These requirements were officially gazetted in the Food Standards Code on July 31, 2020.
Pregnancy warning pictogram
Pregnancy warning mark
On May 4, 2023, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) introduced alternative requirements for pregnancy warning labels on alcohololic beverages sold with corrugated cardboard as the outer packaging.
From February 1, 2024, outer packaging made of post-printed corrugated cardboard and containing more than one individual unit of alcoholic beverage, must display either the pregnancy warning mark shown above or optional alternative mark as below.
Optional alternative pregnancy warning mark
For more details on choosing the appropriate label type, size and design in Australia and New Zealand, please refer to:
FSANZ Guidance on Requirements for Pregnancy Warning Labels on Alcoholic Beverages
Standard 2.7.1 Labelling of alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol
Other labeling updates on alcoholic beverages
On July 24, 2023, FSANZ invited comments on a proposal to clarify the permitted extent of carbohydrate and sugar claims on food containing more than 1.15% alcohol by volume, including alcoholic beverages.
Similarly, on January 16, 2023, FSANZ requested submissions on a proposal to provide energy labeling information on alcoholic beverages.
As FSANZ continues to balance consumer information needs with industry concerns, further updates to alcoholic beverage labeling requirements are anticipated.
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