Requirements for pregnancy warning labels on alcoholic beverages were gazetted in the Code on 31 July, 2020 with a three-year transition period ending on 31 July 2023. In addition, optional alternative requirements for pregnancy warning labels for corrugated cardboard outer packaging were gazetted in the Code on 4 May 2023.
See the requirements for pregnancy warning labels on alcoholic beverages. Note the requirements for the pregnancy warning labels for corrugated cardboard packaging are available in Gazette notice Amendment No. 218.
Businesses had until 1 February 2024 to ensure post-printed corrugated cardboard outer packaging, containing more than one individual unit of an alcoholic beverage, displays either the existing or optional alternative pregnancy warning label. Alcoholic beverages in such corrugated cardboard outer packaging that is labelled before the end of the transition period (i.e. before 2 February 2024) may be sold without the pregnancy warning label.
For all other packaging and individual containers, businesses must comply with the pregnancy warning labelling requirements, noting an alcoholic beverage produced and labelled before 31 July 2023, can comply with the Code either before or after requirements for pregnancy warning labels were gazetted (31 July 2020).
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Definitions
These are the terms that are used in the Code requirements for pregnancy warning labels.
Individual unit means a container that:
- is an innermost package; and
- contains a beverage with more than 1.15% alcohol by volume.
Pregnancy warning pictogram means the following pictogram with the silhouette of a pregnant woman holding a wine glass within a circle with a strike-through.
Pregnancy warning mark means the following image comprising:
- the pregnancy warning pictogram,
- the signal words 'Pregnancy Warning', and
- the statement 'Alcohol can cause lifelong harm to your baby' all within a border.
Pregnancy warning label means either the pregnancy warning pictogram or the pregnancy warning mark.
Prescribed alcoholic beverage means a beverage that:
- has more than 1.15% alcohol by volume; and
- either:
- is for the retail sale; or
- is sold as suitable for retail sale without any further processing, packaging or labelling; and
- does not include a beverage that:
- is sold for retail sale; and
- is packaged in the presence of the purchaser.
Size of type means the measurement from the base to the top of a letter or numeral.
Label suite and elements
Pregnancy Warning Mark: Label Type 1
Prescribed alcoholic beverage/individual unit with a volume over 200ml but not over 800ml.
Image with minimum size of type and pictogram diameter
Pregnancy Warning Mark: Label Type 2
Prescribed alcoholic beverage/individual unit with a volume over 800ml
Image with minimum size of type and pictogram diameter
Pregnancy Warning Mark: Label Type 3
Outer package of prescribed alcoholic beverage with a volume:
- over 200ml
- over 200ml with more than one individual unit in the package
- not over 200ml with more than one individual unit in the package.
Image with minimum size of type and pictogram diameter
Pregnancy Warning Pictogram: Label Type 4
- prescribed alcoholic beverage/individual unit with a volume not over 200ml
- outer package of a prescribed alcoholic beverage with a volume not over 200ml and packaging that includes only one individual unit.
Image with minimum size of type and pictogram diameter
Pregnancy Warning Mark Label Type 5*
Optional alternative label for outer package of prescribed alcoholic beverage that includes more than one individual unit in the package that is:
- made of corrugated cardboard and has an outside liner made of kraft, recycled or white paper; and
- printed on using a post-print (flexographic) printing process.
* The Type 5 label is an optional alternative pregnancy warning mark for post-printed corrugated cardboard outer packaging that may be used instead of the Type 3 label.
Font type
The Signal Words 'PREGNANCY WARNING' must be:
- UPPER CASE
- bold
- a sans serif typeface.
The Statement 'Alcohol can cause lifelong harm to your baby' must be:
- sentence case
- a sans serif typeface.
Clear space around the pregnancy warning mark
The pregnancy warning mark must be displayed on the package with a clear space that surrounds the outside of the border of the pregnancy warning mark and is at least 3 mm in width. The colour of the clear space outside of the border of the pregnancy warning mark is not prescribed.
Label colours
Each pregnancy warning label must comply with the colour requirements.
Pregnancy warning mark
Pregnancy warning mark must be in the following colours:
- Signal words - RED
- Statement - BLACK
- Border - BLACK
- Background within the border - WHITE
- Silhouette of pregnant woman - BLACK
- Pictogram circle and strikthrough - RED
- Background within pictogram - WHITE
Optional alternative pregnancy warning mark for corrugated cardboard outer packaging colours
- Signal words - BLACK
- Statement - BLACK
- Border - BLACK
- Background inside the border - SAME COLOUR AS THE OUTSIDE LINER MADE OF KRAFT, RECYCLED OR WHITE PAPER (i.e. BROWN, GREY or WHITE)
- Silhouette of pregnant woman - BLACK
- Pictogram circle and strikethrough - BLACK
- Background inside pictogram - SAME COLOUR AS THE OUTSIDE LINER MADE OF KRAFT, RECYCLED OR WHITE PAPER (i.e. BROWN, GREY or WHITE)
- Strikethrough of the pictogram must be displayed with a clear space either side of the strikethrough so both the strikethrough and silhouette of pregnant woman are clearly legible.
Pregnancy warning pictogram
Pregnancy warning pictogram must be in the following colours:
- Silhouette of pregnant woman - BLACK
- Pictogram circle and strikethrough - RED
- Background within pictogram - WHITE
Downloadable labels use PMS 485. Other variations of red are permitted.
CMYK versions are also available.
Spot colour
CMYK
Downloadable label file types
Label files are available for download in the following file formats.
Encapsulated PostScript (EPS)
- (used for pre-print, opens in graphic programs i.e. Illustrator, InDesign - editable)
- Available in spot colour and CMYK
High resolution JPEG
- (multi-use - not editable)
- Available in CMYK
- (used for sharing and printing - not editable)
- Available in CMYK
Label type | Download file |
Label Type 1 - Pregnancy Warning MarkPrescribed alcoholic beverage/individual unit with a volume over 200 ml but not over 800 ml. |
EPS (ZIP 842KB) JPEG 1.18MB PDF 342KB |
Label Type 2 - Pregnancy Warning MarkPrescribed alcoholic beverage/individual unit with a volume over 800 ml. |
EPS (ZIP 868KB) JPEG 1.43MB PDF 342KB |
Label Type 3 - Pregnancy Warning MarkOuter package of prescribed alcoholic beverage with a volume:
|
EPS (ZIP 1.24MB) JPEG 1.68MB PDF 342KB |
Label Type 4 - Pregnancy Warning Pictogram
|
EPS (ZIP 1.2MB) JPEG 748KB PDF 323 kb |
Label Type 5 - Optional alternative Pregnancy Warning MarkOuter package of prescribed alcoholic beverage that includes more than one individual unit in the package that is:
|
EPS (ZIP 1.3 mb) PDF 362 kb |
What Food Standards Code standards were amended to include requirements for pregnancy warning labelling?
Standard 1.1.2 – Definitions used throughout the Code
New definitions related to pregnancy warning labelling have been added to subsection 1.1.2—2(3). These include the terms:
-
Individual unit
-
Pregnancy warning label
-
Pregnancy warning mark
-
Pregnancy warning pictogram
-
Prescribed alcoholic beverage
Standard 2.7.1 – Labelling of alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol
Standard 2.7.1 has been amended from both Proposal P1050 (Pregnancy warning labels on alcoholic beverages) and Application A1256 (Colour of pregnancy warning labels for corrugated cardboard packaging).
See, in particular, Division 4.
Note: Existing requirements in the Code may also apply to pregnancy warning labelling.
You can view the amended Standards in the Code for more detail (these links will take you to an external website).
Are there explanatory statements for these new requirements?
What alcoholic beverages have to display a pregnancy warning label?
Packaged alcoholic beverages with more than 1.15% alcohol by volume for retail sale in Australia and New Zealand (or sold as suitable for retail sale without any further processing, packaging or labelling) must display a pregnancy warning label – with one exception: when the beverage is packaged in the presence of the purchaser. In this case, it doesn’t need a pregnancy warning label. This includes, for example:
-
wine or beer served in a glass at a restaurant or bar
-
fill your own container at a bottle store
-
additional packaging applied in the presence of the retail purchaser.
The requirement to display a pregnancy warning label applies to, for example, relevant packaged alcoholic beverages that are:
-
made and packaged on the premises where they are offered for retail sale
-
delivered packaged and ready to consume at the request of the retail purchaser
-
sold at a fund-raising event
-
displayed in an assisted service display cabinet
-
sold from a vending machine
-
sold at retail in a hamper.
Find the references in the Code (these links will take you to an external website):
-
definition of ‘prescribed alcoholic beverage’ in subsection 1.1.2—2(3)
-
definition of ‘package’ in subsection 1.1.2—2(3).
When do relevant alcohol products have to start following the new requirements?
Requirements for pregnancy warning labels on alcoholic beverages were gazetted in the Code on 31 July, 2020 with a three-year transition period ending on 31 July 2023. In addition, optional alternative requirements for pregnancy warning labels for corrugated cardboard outer packaging were gazetted in the Code on 4 May 2023.
Businesses have until 1 February 2024 to ensure post-printed corrugated cardboard outer packaging, containing more than one individual unit of an alcoholic beverage, displays either the existing or optional alternative pregnancy warning label. Alcoholic beverages in such corrugated cardboard outer packaging that is labelled before the end of the transition period (i.e. before 2 February 2024) may be sold without the pregnancy warning label.
For all other packaging and individual containers, businesses must comply with the pregnancy warning labelling requirements, noting an alcoholic beverage produced and labelled before 31 July 2023, can comply with the Code either before or after requirements for pregnancy warning labels were gazetted (31 July 2020).
Refer to section 4 of the Code variations from Proposal P1050 and Application A1256.
Do alcoholic beverages imported into Australia or New Zealand have to show the pregnancy warning label?
Yes, they do. All packaged alcoholic beverages with more than 1.15% alcohol by volume for retail sale in Australia and New Zealand must have a pregnancy warning label.
What if an imported alcoholic beverage already has a pregnancy warning label? Does it have to be removed or covered for sale in Australia or New Zealand?
No, it doesn’t - but you do have to also add the local pregnancy warning label. It’s okay to have both at the same time.
Can a pregnancy warning label be displayed via a sticker fixed to the alcoholic beverage label (i.e. via overstickering)?
Yes, the Code doesn’t prohibit the use of stickers for providing labelling information. The warning label is required on the product when it’s available for retail sale.
Does the pregnancy warning need to be in a particular place on the beverage label?
No, it can be put anywhere on the beverage label.
Do alcoholic beverages sold to caterers have to have a pregnancy warning label?
No, they don’t. A pregnancy warning label is only required on packaged alcoholic beverages for retail sale.
If a beverage sold to a caterer is then sold for retail sale it would need to display the warning label, unless an exemption applied such as it being packaged in the presence of the purchaser.
Do pregnancy warning labels need to be placed on the outer packaging of a multipack or individual unit, as well as each individual unit?
Yes, if the multipack or box containing an individual unit is for retail sale. The outer package is the outer-most layer of packaging for retail sale.
For example, a pregnancy warning label must be displayed on these if they are presented for retail sale:
-
for a box containing a bottle of wine: on the box and on the bottle of wine
-
for a carton containing multiple bottles of wine: on the carton and on each bottle of wine
-
for a pack containing multiple bottles/cans of beer (such as a ‘six pack’), on the pack and on each bottle/can of beer.
There are two exemptions to this requirement. A pregnancy warning label is not required on:
-
an outer package if a pregnancy warning label on an individual unit can be clearly seen and is not obscured by the outer package. For example, when clear wrapping is used around a bottle of wine, or plastic rings around six pack of beer
-
a bladder inside a box of a prescribed alcoholic beverage – for example, the bladder inside a cask of wine.
Note: any packaging between the outer package and individual units, for example, tissue paper, does not need to display a pregnancy warning label.
Find the reference in the Code (this link will take you to an external website):
Does packaging used to transport alcoholic beverages from one site to another and not used for retail sale have to display pregnancy warning labelling?
No. Only packaging used for retail sale must display pregnancy warning labelling. Find the reference in the Code (these links will take you to an external website):
-
definition of ‘prescribed alcoholic beverage’ in section 1.1.2—2(3)
What type of pregnancy warning label needs to be displayed on a prescribed alcoholic beverage?
This depends on the volume of the prescribed alcoholic beverage, and whether the label is for a beverage container or outer packaging.
There are three types of pregnancy warning labels:
Pregnancy warning mark
Must be displayed on a prescribed alcoholic beverage with a volume over 200 ml
Optional alternative pregnancy warning mark
Pregnancy warning pictogram
Must be displayed on a prescribed alcoholic beverage with a volume not over 200 ml
The outer package of an individual unit with a volume not over 200 ml must show the pregnancy warning pictogram, while the outer package of an individual unit with a volume over 200ml must show the pregnancy warning mark.
The pregnancy warning mark or where applicable, the optional alternative pregnancy warning mark, must be shown on an outer package with more than one individual unit, no matter what volume is contained in each individual unit. For example:
-
A single bottle of spirits with a volume of not more than 200 ml contained in an outer box must have a pregnancy warning pictogram on the outer packaging.
-
Two 100ml bottles of liqueur contained in a box must have a pregnancy warning pictogram shown on each 100 ml bottle of liqueur. A pregnancy warning mark must be shown on the outer packaging (box).
-
A 1L bottle of spirits and a 100ml bottle of liqueur contained in a box must show a pregnancy warning mark on the 1 L bottle, and a pregnancy warning pictogram on the 100ml bottle. A pregnancy warning mark must also be shown on the outer packaging (box).
Find the references in the Code (these links will take you to an external website):
Does the size of the pregnancy warning label matter?
Yes it does, because there are minimum size requirements.
The minimum size requirements for a pregnancy warning label on an alcoholic beverage with one layer of packaging – for example, in a bottle or can - depend on the volume of beverage.
There are also minimum size requirements for a pregnancy warning label on:
-
the outer packaging of alcoholic beverages
-
on individual units of alcoholic beverages inside a box or multipack.
These requirements also depend on the volume of the alcoholic beverage concerned. Find the reference in the Code (these links will take you to an external website):
Are there any other label design requirements, apart from size?
Yes. There are requirements for the following label design elements, including:
-
text of the signal words and statement in the pregnancy warning mark
-
form of the pictogram
-
colour of text, elements of pictogram and pregnancy warning mark, and label background
-
font type and case
-
language
-
border and clear space around the pregnancy warning mark.
Find the reference in the Code (these links will take you to an external website):
-
definitions of ‘pregnancy warning mark’ and ‘pregnancy warning pictogram’ in subsection 1.1.2—2(3)
Are there any label design requirements that only apply to the optional alternative pregnancy warning mark?
Yes. For the optional alternative pregnancy warning mark:
-
the signal words, statement and border of the pregnancy warning mark and the circle, strikethrough and silhouette of a pregnant woman of the pregnancy warning pictogram, must all be in the colour black
-
the background must be in the same colour as the outside liner made of kraft, recycled or white paper, the colours of which are brown, grey or white
-
the strikethrough of the pregnancy warning pictogram must be displayed with a clear space on either side of the strikethrough so both the strikethrough and the silhouette of a pregnant woman are clearly legible.
Find the reference in the Code (this link will take you to an external website):