FASD Month: Balance supports proposals for mandatory health warning labels
Balance, the North East alcohol programme, is marking Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Month by supporting proposals nationally for the introduction of mandatory alcohol health labels, which include warnings around the risks of drinking during pregnancy.
It comes as the UK Government has already pledged to implement alcohol health warning labels in the 10 Year Health Plan for England.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy raises the risk of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a preventable, lifelong condition, which can cause a range of learning difficulties, physical, mental and behavioural problems and other lifelong challenges.
However, alcohol companies are currently not required to place warning labels on alcohol, resulting in low public awareness of serious health conditions such as FASD or cancer. Studies suggest FASD affects at least 3.6% of the UK population [1].
While some products do carry a pregnancy warning, they are often small and smaller on products that are more commonly drunk by women. The UK Chief Medical Officers’ Low Risk Drinking Guidelines advises women that if they are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all, to keep risks to the baby to a minimum.
The UK Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England has pledged to “strengthen and expand on existing voluntary guidelines” for alcohol labelling by introducing a mandatory requirement for alcoholic drinks to display health warning messages, to raise public awareness of the health risks and help consumers make more informed choices.
An independent survey of 1,392 North East adults in April 2025 by Balance found that 76% would support a warning label not to drink when pregnant or trying to conceive.
Susan Taylor, Head of Alcohol Policy for Balance, said: “We fully support the pledge to give consumers more health information about alcohol through health warning labels, and given that alcohol consumption has risen among women, a warning around the risks of alcohol during pregnancy is vital.
“Alcohol companies have dragged their heels around health warning labels about the increased risks of cancer, FASD and other health conditions – but this is about a right to know.”
Dr Helen Howlett, Head of Community and Children and Young People, Women’s Health Champion and FASD Specialist, NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB said: “Alcohol in pregnancy can cause lifelong harm, yet this issue does not receive the attention it deserves.
“Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is the most common cause of non-genetic learning disability in the UK. It is more prevalent than Autism, yet very few children and young people with FASD are identified, diagnosed, or supported, and many people just aren’t aware of it.
“The fact is that binge drinking is highest in women of childbearing age, so we need a clear message to warn women of the risks of harm in pregnancy and that women are aware of the guidance to avoid alcohol altogether if they are pregnant or trying to conceive.”
Karen’s story
Karen Slater, 57, is a Newcastle mum of four. She experienced alcohol harm first-hand when she grew up around alcohol in a hostile and dangerous environment. She was a victim of child abuse and domestic violence and sought solace in alcohol, drugs and self-harm.
Karen recalls living in a deprived area, feeling isolated and alone, and believing that alcohol was the solution. After suffering a lifetime of abuse, on the verge of a nervous breakdown, she drank during one of her pregnancies and this resulted in her daughter being born with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
She said: “It is high time that alcohol companies are made to include warning labels around the risks of drinking during pregnancy.
“I always urge people, if you are pregnant don’t drink – it is a big gamble with your baby’s health. My daughter is 28 now and we still have problems today because I was drinking whilst pregnant.
“Nine months is a short time to abstain from alcohol. So, I think if anyone has got any problems go and see your midwife or your doctor. It’s the shame that makes you not want to tell anyone about the problems, but you need the help.
“I never knew that when you consume a glass of alcohol it goes straight to the baby’s brain, so my baby was having a glass of wine. You wouldn’t give a baby a glass of wine after it’s born, so why have two units and say it must be safe? It’s not worth the risk. My message is don’t drink when you’re pregnant. FASD is preventable and no alcohol is the best and safest option.”
NHS advice is that FASD is completely avoidable if you do not drink alcohol while you’re pregnant. The risk is higher the more you drink, although there’s no proven “safe” level of alcohol consumption in pregnancy. Not drinking at all is the safest approach.
Women who find out they are pregnant after already having drunk during early pregnancy, should avoid further drinking, but should be aware that the risk of harm is likely to be low if they have drunk only small amounts of alcohol before they knew they were pregnant.
If you are expecting and have any questions on alcohol and pregnancy, your midwife and doctor can help. For any mums who suspect their child may have FASD, the FASD Network UK has a wide range of support available so please visit www.fasdnetwork.org.
About FASD
- FASD Day is the 9th day of the 9th month, chosen to reflect the 9 months of pregnancy when alcohol needs to be avoided.
- Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder encompasses a series of preventable birth defects caused entirely by drinking alcohol at any time during a pregnancy.
- FASD is considered a hidden disability because most individuals with it do not show physical features. It is thought to be under-diagnosed.
- Symptoms can include vision impairment, sleep problems, heart defects, liver problems, a poor immune system, speech and language delays through to memory problems and behavioural problems such as impulsivity, hyperactivity and inappropriate social behaviour.
- The term “Spectrum” is used because each individual with FASD may have some or all of a spectrum of mental and physical challenges. In addition, each individual with FASD may have these challenges to a degree or “spectrum” from mild to very severe.
- FASD is caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol in the mother’s blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord.
- There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant.