Grocery stores not required to warn pregnant women of alcohol risk: OPSEU

TORONTO, May 11, 2016 /CNW/ - Grocery stores that sell beer in Ontario are not required to warn women that drinking alcohol during pregnancy puts their unborn children at risk, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union has learned.

"Under 'Sandy's Law', the LCBO and any other outlets that sell or dispense alcohol are required to post signs warning women that drinking during pregnancy can cause birth defects and permanent brain damage to their babies," OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas said today. "Grocery stores that sell beer in Ontario are not required to post these signs.

"When the Ontario Liberals moved to allow beer sales in more locations, they said grocery stores would have to follow all the same rules as anyone else selling liquor," he said.

"As it turns out, that's not true.  "This is a serious public health issue."

Mark Courtepatte, co-chair of the Hamilton FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) Parent and Caregiver Support Group was told by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) that grocery stores are exempt from "Sandy's Law," a 2004 law that amended the Liquor License Act to require the warning signs.  

However, when he asked the AGCO, along with the Attorney General's office and Premier Wynne for any evidence in the Liquor License Act or Regulations confirming grocery stores were exempt, they did not provide a response.

"We're not opposed to alcohol but we are strongly opposed to the government allowing the sale of alcohol and not warning Ontarians of the risk of the permanent brain damage caused by consuming any amount of any kind of alcohol during pregnancy."  

"It's irresponsible for the government to not enforce Sandy's Law," Courtepatte said.

The Hamilton FASD Support Group provides assistance and support for parents, caregivers, and individuals with FASD. Nine out of every 1,000 babies in Canada are born with FASD and it is the leading known case of brain damage among Canadian children.

OPSEU represents 7,000 working Ontarians in LCBO stores, warehouses, and offices in more than 400 communities across the province.

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Image with caption: "No visible FASD poster where you get beer at the Loblaws location at Erin Mills Town Centre in Mississauga, Ont. (CNW Group/Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160511_C8774_PHOTO_EN_688481.jpg

Warren (Smokey) Thomas, 613-329-1931; Mark Courtepatte, 416-300-4146