DrinkWise has been asked to reword a poster about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy following complaints that it was "fundamentally incorrect" by health organisations.
2400 pregnancy warning posters were recently withdrawn from hospitals and GP clinics following complaints from doctors and health groups, according to a Fairfax Media report, and some critics pointed to the error as evidence that the alcohol industry has no place in the public health information space.
Established in 2005 by the alcohol industry, DrinkWise Australia describes itself as an independent, not-for-profit organisation, however the organisation is largely funded by industry, according to Fairfax Media, and beverage industry leaders dominate its board of directors.
While the poster's headline, which read "It's safest not to drink while pregnant" was in line with government guidelines, the text beneath included the words "It's not known if alcohol is safe to drink when you are pregnant", and this was deemed misleading and inaccurate.
"I told them about the misleading information and potential outcomes and they responded in a quick and timely manner," Australian Medical Association president Tony Bartone, who raised the concerns with DrinkWise, told Fairfax Media.
The replacement poster now reads: “A very important choice you can make for the health of your baby is to abstain from alcohol while pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding".
