Latest news with #VirginiaNicholls
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
NZABC Challenges Flawed Audit On Pregnancy Warning Labels On Beer Wine And Spirits
Alcohol Healthwatch (AHW) recently issued a media release stating that 34% of alcohol products have no pregnancy warning label. The NZ Alcohol Beverages Council was so concerned with this statement that we asked AHW directly[2] for information on which retail outlets and products were not complying with the Food Standards Australia New Zealand requirements (FSANZ)[3]. AHW said 'there was wide-spread non-compliance regardless of the type or location of the premises and it was unhelpful to identify individual retailers as this existed on a widespread scale'. 'Due to the seriousness of AHWs claims, we conducted our own audit in one retail store and checked 1756 products. We found that 99.3%[4] of products had correct pregnancy warning labelling'[5], said Executive Director Virginia Nicholls. There were 20 products that did not have a pregnancy label. As these products were manufactured before 1 August 2023 they complied with FSANZ. Twelve products (0.7%) were not labelled correctly. One NZ product was incorrectly labelled and we believe this originated from a cancelled export order. The other products either missed the over-sticker process or the labels may have detached while in-store. This retail group has now contacted the suppliers of the 12 products to ensure they relabel existing products instore and in their own stock holdings. Why is the NZABC audit so different to the AHW factsheet?[6] Crucial information was missing from the AHW factsheet including the locations or products that were audited and the issues with the products that did not meet the FSANZ requirements. In the factsheet it said that photos were taken but none were provided to identify the exact pregnancy label issues. AHW state (p6) that 'although 33.5% of the products did not have the correct pregnancy warning label, it is difficult to determine whether these are non-compliant they need to be manufactured after 1 August 2023, but the date of manufacture can be difficult for a layperson to determine.' Why was this information not included in the AHW media release? AHW does not fully acknowledge FSANZ requirements in the factsheet. Ironically the only photos provided meet FSANZ requirements: Pregnancy label near an industry label or message (such as drink responsibly); Pregnancy label near links to an industry website; Pregnancy label found on the bottom or base of the packaging/box. In Table 1 there are also a number of 'unknowns' – with one category as high as 19%. In the small print it says that 'the majority of products in this category were multipacks where the full labelling of the individual units could not be seen.' AHW stated that the 'purpose of gathering the information was to find out if the same problem exists in New Zealand as in Australia. In Australia 37% of alcohol products did not have the warning, or if they did, it was most commonly placed at the back of products'. Again this meets the FSANZ requirements. 'We recognise the limitation of space on the beer, wine and spirits labels/boxes and take great pride in meeting FSANZ's requirements in spite of this constraint,' said Virginia. 'Its important to reiterate that we support the Health NZ advice to stop drinking alcohol if you are trying to get pregnant, could be pregnant or are pregnant', said Virginia. About the New Zealand Alcohol Beverages Council The NZ Alcohol Beverages Council is a pan-industry group that comments publicly on matters relating to the beer, wine, spirits and beverages industry. It focuses on supporting responsible alcohol consumption and wants to see a fair and balanced debate on alcohol regulation in New Zealand. Note: [1] Media release - No pregnancy warning labels on alcohol 11 June [2] AHW replied (and I paraphrase) that 'there was wide-spread non-compliance regardless of the type or location of the premises. They felt it was unhelpful to identify individual retailers as this existed on a widespread scale'. AHW also said the 'purpose of gathering the information was to find out if the same problem exists in New Zealand as in Australia. In Australia 37% of alcohol products did not have the warning, or if they did, it was most commonly placed at the back of products'. [3] FSANZ have updated pregnancy alcohol labelling requirements since 1 August 2023. Every product manufactured after this time is required to have a pregnancy warning label for sale in Australia and NZ. There will still be a number of products that were manufactured before this time which do not need to have this label. Pregnancy warning labels downloadable files – Food Standards Australia New Zealand
RNZ News
17-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Alcohol lobby group on cancer warnings on alcohol
money health 16 minutes ago New Zealand wine brand Villa Maria putting cancer warning labels on its wines exported to Ireland, but in New Zealand industry lobby group the Alcoholic Beverages Council doesn't want the cancer warning labels. Alcoholic Beverages Council Virginia Nicholls spoke to Corin Dann.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Scoop
Turning The Tide: New Zealanders Unite To Curb Harmful Drinking
Press Release – Alcohol Beverages Council Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm, … 'New Zealanders strongly support confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers, targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers and alcohol education programmes in schools', said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls. For the past six years the NZ Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC) has independently surveyed 1000 Kiwis [i] and found the support for the following (net harm) reduction measures continue to have significant support: Confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers +79% (2019: 80%) Targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers +78% (2019: same) Alcohol education programmes in schools +70% (2019: 72%) Heavier fines for drunk and disorderly behaviour +59% (2019: 56%) Allow Police to issue spot fines for minor alcohol related offences +55% (2019: 36%) Use alcohol interlocks in cars to reduce drink driving +54% (2021: same) Alcohol education programmes in workplaces +44% (2022: 54%) Since 2014 the total number of New Zealanders convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs [ii] has declined by 27% from 20,972 to 15,365 (2024). Men factor in the stats considerably more than women with nearly four out of five convictions for drink driving and/or drugs are men [iii]. The recent NZ Road Safety Week showed the number of alcohol-related road deaths reduced by nearly 40% [iv] (from 2023 to 2024). Alcohol interlock court mandated orders have increased from 262 (2015) to 3,972 in 2024. [v]. From 2018, alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings. 'Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking – a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm', said Virginia. Since 2019 the Tomorrow Project – a social change charity governed by Spirits NZ, NZ Winegrowers and the Brewers Association has funded the Life Education Trust to deliver 'Smashed' a theatre-in-education programme for high school students that provides practical information and advice to support better decision making. Independent research [vi] showed the programme was supporting positive changes to youth drinking culture. In NZ we are drinking less and drinking better with the move to moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle. The annual NZ Health survey [vii] provides information on New Zealander's health and wellbeing shows that 83.4% of NZ adults (five out of six of us) are drinking beer, wine and spirits responsibly. This is an increase of 4.7 percentage points over the past four years (78.7% 2019/20). Hazardous drinking [viii] or harmful alcohol consumption among adults over the past four years has declined to 16.6% (21.3% 2019/20). The Stats NZ alcohol consumption per capita has also declined by 28.3% since 1986 [ix]. [i] Curia market research October 2024, 1000 adult respondents [ii] Driving under the influence: The number of finalised charges and number of people with finalised charges and convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Also includes number of people with orders for alcohol interlock devices. In 2014 there were 20,972 convicted. NZ total driving under the influence 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Convicted 16,290 16,000 16,207 16,621 16,245 13,571 13,920 15,078 15,682 15,365 alcohol interlock orders 262 345 331 1,700 3,582 3,089 3,538 3,764 3,864 3,972 Alcohol interlock orders became a sentencing option in September 2012. From July 2018 alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings under section 65A of the Land Transport Act 1998. Section 65A of the Land Transport Act Ministry of Justice (NZ): driving under the influence: Data tables | New Zealand Ministry of Justice, accessed 6 May 2025 [iii] In 2024 78% of men and 22% of women were convicted of driving under the influence offences in NZ (driving under influence of alcohol and/or drug). People convicted of driving under the influence offences in New Zealand – accessed 3 June 2025 [iv] Hon Chris Bishop and Hon Mark Mitchell 2024 compared with year before: Roadside breath testing up; alcohol-related road deaths down | , accessed 3 June 25 [v] See (ii) [vi] Smashed 'showed us ways to deal with peer pressure,' NZCER, September 2022 [vii] New Zealand Health Survey | Ministry of Health NZ, accessed 19 November 2024 [viii] Hazardous drinking among the total population. Hazardous drinking refers to a score of 8 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), which suggests hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption. [ix] Stats NZ: Total NZ population 15 years and over alcohol available for consumption (per head of population). Year end 1986 (10.730 litres), year end March 2025 (7.690 litres): View table – Infoshare – Statistics New Zealand accessed 26 May 2025.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Scoop
Turning The Tide: New Zealanders Unite To Curb Harmful Drinking
Press Release – Alcohol Beverages Council Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm, … 'New Zealanders strongly support confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers, targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers and alcohol education programmes in schools', said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls. For the past six years the NZ Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC) has independently surveyed 1000 Kiwis [i] and found the support for the following (net harm) reduction measures continue to have significant support: Confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers +79% (2019: 80%) Targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers +78% (2019: same) Alcohol education programmes in schools +70% (2019: 72%) Heavier fines for drunk and disorderly behaviour +59% (2019: 56%) Allow Police to issue spot fines for minor alcohol related offences +55% (2019: 36%) Use alcohol interlocks in cars to reduce drink driving +54% (2021: same) Alcohol education programmes in workplaces +44% (2022: 54%) Since 2014 the total number of New Zealanders convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs [ii] has declined by 27% from 20,972 to 15,365 (2024). Men factor in the stats considerably more than women with nearly four out of five convictions for drink driving and/or drugs are men [iii]. The recent NZ Road Safety Week showed the number of alcohol-related road deaths reduced by nearly 40% [iv] (from 2023 to 2024). Alcohol interlock court mandated orders have increased from 262 (2015) to 3,972 in 2024. [v]. From 2018, alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings. 'Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking – a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm', said Virginia. Since 2019 the Tomorrow Project – a social change charity governed by Spirits NZ, NZ Winegrowers and the Brewers Association has funded the Life Education Trust to deliver 'Smashed' a theatre-in-education programme for high school students that provides practical information and advice to support better decision making. Independent research [vi] showed the programme was supporting positive changes to youth drinking culture. In NZ we are drinking less and drinking better with the move to moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle. The annual NZ Health survey [vii] provides information on New Zealander's health and wellbeing shows that 83.4% of NZ adults (five out of six of us) are drinking beer, wine and spirits responsibly. This is an increase of 4.7 percentage points over the past four years (78.7% 2019/20). Hazardous drinking [viii] or harmful alcohol consumption among adults over the past four years has declined to 16.6% (21.3% 2019/20). The Stats NZ alcohol consumption per capita has also declined by 28.3% since 1986 [ix]. [i] Curia market research October 2024, 1000 adult respondents [ii] Driving under the influence: The number of finalised charges and number of people with finalised charges and convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Also includes number of people with orders for alcohol interlock devices. In 2014 there were 20,972 convicted. NZ total driving under the influence 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Convicted 16,290 16,000 16,207 16,621 16,245 13,571 13,920 15,078 15,682 15,365 alcohol interlock orders 262 345 331 1,700 3,582 3,089 3,538 3,764 3,864 3,972 Alcohol interlock orders became a sentencing option in September 2012. From July 2018 alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings under section 65A of the Land Transport Act 1998. Section 65A of the Land Transport Act Ministry of Justice (NZ): driving under the influence: Data tables | New Zealand Ministry of Justice, accessed 6 May 2025 [iii] In 2024 78% of men and 22% of women were convicted of driving under the influence offences in NZ (driving under influence of alcohol and/or drug). People convicted of driving under the influence offences in New Zealand – accessed 3 June 2025 [iv] Hon Chris Bishop and Hon Mark Mitchell 2024 compared with year before: Roadside breath testing up; alcohol-related road deaths down | , accessed 3 June 25 [v] See (ii) [vi] Smashed 'showed us ways to deal with peer pressure,' NZCER, September 2022 [vii] New Zealand Health Survey | Ministry of Health NZ, accessed 19 November 2024 [viii] Hazardous drinking among the total population. Hazardous drinking refers to a score of 8 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), which suggests hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption. [ix] Stats NZ: Total NZ population 15 years and over alcohol available for consumption (per head of population). Year end 1986 (10.730 litres), year end March 2025 (7.690 litres): View table – Infoshare – Statistics New Zealand accessed 26 May 2025.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Scoop
Turning The Tide: New Zealanders Unite To Curb Harmful Drinking
'New Zealanders strongly support confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers, targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers and alcohol education programmes in schools', said NZABC Executive Director Virginia Nicholls. For the past six years the NZ Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC) has independently surveyed 1000 Kiwis[i] and found the support for the following (net harm) reduction measures continue to have significant support: Confiscating cars from repeat drink drivers +79% (2019: 80%) Targeted support programmes for harmful drinkers +78% (2019: same) Alcohol education programmes in schools +70% (2019: 72%) Heavier fines for drunk and disorderly behaviour +59% (2019: 56%) Allow Police to issue spot fines for minor alcohol related offences +55% (2019: 36%) Use alcohol interlocks in cars to reduce drink driving +54% (2021: same) Alcohol education programmes in workplaces +44% (2022: 54%) Since 2014 the total number of New Zealanders convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs[ii] has declined by 27% from 20,972 to 15,365 (2024). Men factor in the stats considerably more than women with nearly four out of five convictions for drink driving and/or drugs are men[iii]. The recent NZ Road Safety Week showed the number of alcohol-related road deaths reduced by nearly 40%[iv] (from 2023 to 2024). Alcohol interlock court mandated orders have increased from 262 (2015) to 3,972 in 2024.[v]. From 2018, alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings. 'Most of us agree that targeted education and support programmes create a better understanding of responsible drinking – a fact borne out by the fact that 70% of the New Zealanders surveyed agreed that such programmes reduce alcohol-related harm', said Virginia. Since 2019 the Tomorrow Project – a social change charity governed by Spirits NZ, NZ Winegrowers and the Brewers Association has funded the Life Education Trust to deliver 'Smashed' a theatre-in-education programme for high school students that provides practical information and advice to support better decision making. Independent research[vi] showed the programme was supporting positive changes to youth drinking culture. In NZ we are drinking less and drinking better with the move to moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle. The annual NZ Health survey[vii] provides information on New Zealander's health and wellbeing shows that 83.4% of NZ adults (five out of six of us) are drinking beer, wine and spirits responsibly. This is an increase of 4.7 percentage points over the past four years (78.7% 2019/20). Hazardous drinking[viii] or harmful alcohol consumption among adults over the past four years has declined to 16.6% (21.3% 2019/20). The Stats NZ alcohol consumption per capita has also declined by 28.3% since 1986[ix]. [i] Curia market research October 2024, 1000 adult respondents [ii] Driving under the influence: The number of finalised charges and number of people with finalised charges and convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Also includes number of people with orders for alcohol interlock devices. In 2014 there were 20,972 convicted. NZ total driving under the influence 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Convicted 16,290 16,000 16,207 16,621 16,245 13,571 13,920 15,078 15,682 15,365 alcohol interlock orders 262 345 331 1,700 3,582 3,089 3,538 3,764 3,864 3,972 Alcohol interlock orders became a sentencing option in September 2012. From July 2018 alcohol interlock orders became mandatory (with some exceptions) for repeat offences and first offences with very high breath or blood alcohol readings under section 65A of the Land Transport Act 1998. Section 65A of the Land Transport Act Ministry of Justice (NZ): driving under the influence: Data tables | New Zealand Ministry of Justice, accessed 6 May 2025 [iii] In 2024 78% of men and 22% of women were convicted of driving under the influence offences in NZ (driving under influence of alcohol and/or drug). People convicted of driving under the influence offences in New Zealand - accessed 3 June 2025 [iv] Hon Chris Bishop and Hon Mark Mitchell 2024 compared with year before: Roadside breath testing up; alcohol-related road deaths down | , accessed 3 June 25 [v] See (ii) [vi] Smashed 'showed us ways to deal with peer pressure,' NZCER, September 2022 [vii] New Zealand Health Survey | Ministry of Health NZ, accessed 19 November 2024 [viii] Hazardous drinking among the total population. Hazardous drinking refers to a score of 8 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), which suggests hazardous or harmful alcohol consumption. [ix] Stats NZ: Total NZ population 15 years and over alcohol available for consumption (per head of population). Year end 1986 (10.730 litres), year end March 2025 (7.690 litres): View table - Infoshare - Statistics New Zealand accessed 26 May 2025.
