explaining how labelling of alcohol beverages may be an adequat support for medical and consumer security working. alos how it's a legal obligation for producers.

1. Labelling, a legal obligation with positive impact
Me Benoît Titran Avocat - Lille (France)
Protecting
The unborn baby
from alcohol
European Parliament
Brussels
7 september 2011

2. Usual description of prevalence and
consequences of FASD
• Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) is the most common and
damaging birth defect in the world, affecting about 1 in 100 people
in all Europe.
• 45 000 children born in Europe are impacted by FASD.
• They become adults with permanent cerebral damage.
• Most of them won’t be self sufficient.
• The comprehensive lifetime cost of just one baby with FAS could be
as much as 4 million (euros).

3. The prevalence of FAS is estimated at between 0.5 and 3% of live births,
while the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is estimated at 9% of live
births.

4. Situation described in different
european countries
•
35 to 50% of Dutch women drink during pregnancy
Health Council of the Netherlands. Risks of alcohol consumption related to conception, pregnancy
and breastfeeding. 2004/22. Den Haag (2005).
•
In Dublin, the Coombe Women’s Hospital study found that 63% of
women drink during pregnancy
Barry, S. et al. The Coombe Women's Hospital study of alcohol, smoking and illicit drug use, 1988–
2005. 2006. Dublin: Coombe Women's Hospital.
•
A recent study in Barcelona showed that 45% of babies were heavily
exposed to alcohol
Garcia-Algar, O. et al. Alarming prevalence of fetal alcohol exposure in a Mediterranean city. Ther.
Drug Monit. 30, 249-254 (2008).
•
A recent and alarming study in the Lazio region of Italy showed that 20
to 40 children per thousand have FASD.
May, P.A. et al. Epidemiology of FASD in a province in Italy: Prevalence and characteristics of
children in a random sample of schools. Alcohol Clin. Exp. Res. 30, 1562-1575 (2006).
The only explanation of this situation is a deep lack
of knowledge in general population

5. A French INPES 2007 study shows the current
lack of knowledge in general population :
• For only 27% of respondents in 2007 (22% in 2004), the risk is
equivalent throughout pregnancy;
• Only half people think that drinking beer or wine during pregnancy is
as dangerous as drinking spirits.
• Only 30% think that the risk for the foetus starts after the first glass
(vs. 25% in 2004).
• 70% of respondents are unaware there are NO safe limits of alcohol
consumption during pregnancy

6. Providing information is the first step toward
prevention
It must be given by :
Health professionals
Governments
Media
But first of all,
it is a legal obligation for producers in all
our countries.

7. Safety is the main aim of consumer law
Providing information is the main legal tool
The Consumer Code in France
Article L. 213-1 :
Anyone, whether or not they are party
to the contract, who may have
deceived or attempted to deceive
the contractor, by any procedural
means whatsoever…, shall be
punished
by
two
years
imprisonment and a 37,500 fine.
1°… 2°…
3° or on the fitness for use, the
risks inherent in use of the
product, the checks carried out,
the operating procedures or
precautions to be taken.
Article L. 213-2 :
The penalties provided for in
article L.213-1 are doubled:
1° if the offences provided for in
said article result in use of the
merchandise being made dangerous to human or animal
welfare.

8. The French formal complaint
was the first change of the deal
•
Legal proceeding based on the fact that
Government must enforce the law.
•
Immediately following, there was an
awareness of both the real issues and legal
responsibilities.
•
A special law was adopted in February
2005 :
– Information given at schools for
children and teenagers
– Special
teaching
for
health
professionals
– Regular campaigns in media
•
Since October 2006, labels are compulsory.
THIS SITUATION MAY BE EXACTLY
THE SAME IN ALL EUROPE.

9. DIRECTIVE 2001/95/EC
OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 3 December 2001on general product safety
CHAPTER III - Other obligations of producers and obligations of distributors
Article 5
Within the limits of their respective activities, producers shall provide
consumers with the relevant information to enable them to assess the
risks inherent in a product…, where such risks are not immediately
obvious without adequate warnings, and to take precautions against
those risks...
The first thing that a Democratic government must do is
enforce the existing law.

10. Examples of application
of these legal texts
Information on margarine :
“This product may not be appropriate
for pregnant woman because she
has specific nutritional needs.”
Information on moisturizing cream :
“This cream moisturizes only
superficial skin.”

11. Labeling has only positive impact
•
•
For producers, implementing warning
labels on alcoholic drinks is a cost
effective measure.
Moreover, the use of labels can serve
as positive branding.
• Labeling leads consumers to take
seriously the advice of
abstinence given by health
professionals and public
information campaigns.