Guinness chief faces health quiz

The chief executive of the UK's biggest drinks firm Diageo could be hauled before MPs after claims it is flouting an agreement on health warnings.

The drinks industry signed up to the voluntary code last year in a bid to tackle binge drinking.

But whisky and Guinness giant Diageo is not sticking to it, the Commons public accounts committee was told.

Chairman Edward Leigh said chief executive Paul Walsh could be summoned before the committee to explain why.

The warning labels were agreed last year with the drinks industry after much wrangling and amid fears they would be forced to carry cigarette-style health warnings.

The labels agreed detail alcoholic units and recommended safe drinking levels and include phrases such as "know your limits" and "drink responsibly".

Responsible drinking

The industry was told they would face compulsory measures if they failed to stick to the agreement, which will be reviewed next March.

But the public accounts committee, which is investigating alcohol harm reduction strategies, was told just 3% of drinks manufacturers were fully abiding by the guidelines.

Pressed by Labour MP Ian Davidson on which companies were the worst offenders, Dr Will Cavendish, NHS director of heath and wellbeing, said: "We have had some issues with Diageo as a company."

Mr Leigh said Diageo's chief executive "might be summoned to this committee" to explain its position, adding that such a move "might concentrate the mind".

Diageo is the world's biggest spirits manufacturer, with brands including Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Captain Morgan, Baileys, J&B, José Cuervo, Tanqueray, as well as the top-selling stout Guinness.

Labour peer Lord Hollick sits on its board and it claims to take its commitment to responsible drinking seriously.

It says on its website: "Diageo is committed to making a significant and sustainable impact on creating a more positive role for alcohol in society and making real progress in cutting alcohol misuse and making responsible drinking a valued and enjoyable part of life."

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