Buyers kept in dark on alcohol.

Byline: MARTIN WILLIAMS 

SUPERMARKETS are keeping shoppers in the dark over alcohol information, according to a report.

Message on a Bottle, a new report published by Alcohol Concern Cymru, has found that the majority of booze sold by North Wales supermarkets is poorly labelled, leaving customers confused when it comes to vital health information.

The report found that only 4% of products reviewed carried all five elements that make up the industry best practice label. Only 18% of products carried information about sensible drinking levels and 56% carried unit information.

In 1998 there was a voluntary agreement between the drinks industry and the government to introduce unit labelling on all products.

Andrew Misell, Policy Manager for Alcohol Concern Cymru, said: "There is a huge disparity between the drinks industry's enthusiasm to promote and advertise alcohol to us and their willingness to give consumers the facts about what they are drinking. "Supermarkets promote alcohol at irresponsibly low prices and do very little to ensure that consumers have sufficient information to make healthy choices about their consumption. Profit is clearly being put above public health and it is time for government to act.

"Supermarkets claim they act responsibly in addressing alcohol misuse and yet they consistently fail to live up to their corporate responsibility statements."