It has been revealed recently that the reports found by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education under freedom of information laws were failed to be released publically by the federal government.

It is often seen that pregnant women consume large amount of alcohol as their habit, remaining unaware of the fact that it causes harm to them as well as their babies. As per the findings of the report, the foundation had collected reports related to benefits of pregnancy warning labels. The reports could have alarmed pregnant women of the after consequences, if those had been released, says an advocacy group.

But, the reporters have been told that the food standards body of Australia denied publishing the reports. It was found that warning labels could help in behavioural change of pregnant women, no matter how these are linked. Also, it would be largely helpful in reducing number of pregnant women suffering from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder each year due to intake of alcohol.

According to the report, it was decided by the Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation in the month of December last year that the warnings described on labels should be followed by pregnant women. The labels contained the information regarding risks of consuming alcohol while pregnant.

While it declared the decision, it was also said by the forum that a chance should be given to alcohol industry to introduce labels on its products for two years. It insisted that the same be done by the industry on voluntary basis before it becomes a mandate.

"I'm extremely disappointed that the government didn't release reports that are so vital to informing the discussion on alcohol warning labels. This handed the alcohol industry a free kick and allowed many industry statements to go unchallenged", said FARE policy and research manager Caterina Giorgi.