Call for comment on proposed amendments to pregnancy warning labels on corrugated cardboard packaging of alcoholic beverage

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit pregnancy warning marks on corrugated cardboard packaging to be in a single colour on a contrasting background. 

The applicant is seeking the changes to address a technical printing issue which results in misalignment of the three-colour pregnancy warning mark on corrugated cardboard packaging, making it difficult to read and reducing effectiveness. Corrugated cardboard is typically used to package multiple cans or bottles of alcoholic beverages. 

The proposed changes would allow an alternative larger pregnancy warning mark to be printed on corrugated cardboard outer packaging when a post-print (flexographic) process is used. The current three-colour mark will remain a requirement for all other packaging and single units of alcohol.   

Pregnancy warning labels are an important part of increasing awareness of the risks of drinking alcohol while pregnant. Currently, warning labels on all packaged alcoholic beverages will be required from 1 August 2023. 

The period for comment closes at 6pm (Canberra time) on 16 November 2022.