Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission encourages women to educate themselves on the issues involving alcohol-related birth defects.

Effective September 1, 2007, the holder of a license or permit authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption is required to display signs warning of the dangers associated with drinking alcoholic beverages during pregnancy. Administrative Rule 31.4 Public Information Signs

The health risk warning sign must:

1. be posted at each egress of all public restrooms on the licensed premises;
2. be placed at a level where the sign can be easily seen by persons exiting the restroom;
3. be not less than 8 1/2 x 11 inches in size.

The following language shall be printed in English and in Spanish, in bold black type on a white surface, or other clearly legible graphic design, with a font or type set size of not less than 28 point Arial or Helvetica:

HEALTH RISK WARNING SIGN

• Drinking any type of alcohol while pregnant can hurt your baby's brain, heart, kidneys, and other organs and can cause birth defects.
• The safest choice is not to drink at all when you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
• If you might be pregnant, think before you drink.

AVISO SOBRE RIESGOS DE SALUD

• Beber cualquier tipo de alcohol cuando está embarazada puede hacerles daño al cerebro, al corazón, a los riñones y a otros órganos de su bebé y puede causar defectos de nacimiento.
• Lo más seguro es no beber nada de alcohol cuando está intentando quedar embarazada o ya lo está.
• Si es posible que esté embarazada, piénselo antes de beber.

By providing this critical information to pregnant women, the State of Texas is making an effort to help safeguard the lives of the youngest of Texans.

Center for Disease Control

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Center for Excellence
(US Department of Health and Human Services)

National Institute of Health

National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Texas Department of State Health Services

Texas Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Prevention Task Force
(Texas Office for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities)

Questions? Comments?
questions@tabc.state.tx.us