NewsDigest

Pernod Ricard will issue health warnings to pregnant women on all bottles of its wine and spirit brands. The warnings are already compulsory in France and will be extended to all other European Union countries in the first half of 2007. The drinks giant will include a responsible-drinking message on all advertising.

Alcohol consumption among young adults will remain flat until 2010, according to a report by research analyst Datamonitor. Report author Nicci Pugh commented: "Young adults are showing greater interest in high-quality eating experiences and their social occasions are becoming less focused on drinking." The rise in female drinkers was contributing to changes in drinking habits. Per-capita spend on alcohol is forecast to increase by a mere 5%, from £1,549 in 2005 to £1,624 in 2010.  

Batemans has become the first East Midlands brewer to have its visitor attractions accredited under the VisitBritain campaign, which aims to encourage tourism. The Lincolnshire brewer has recently refurbished its visitors centre, which has a bar, bistro, artefacts room and a games area.

Britain's hospitality industry dumps more than 500,000 tonnes of beer bottles annually - enough to encircle the world 10 times. To reduce the amount going into landfill sites, waste disposal firm Biffa has launched a glass recycling service for West Midlands pubs and clubs. Biffa claims new technology has solved difficulties experienced with previous schemes, where retailers had to sort glass by colour. Details are available from Biffa on 0800 601601 or www.biffa.co.uk

Geronimo has exchanged contracts on the freehold of a Kent pub in Riverhead, Sevenoaks, bringing its total number of gastropubs to 18. Chief executive Rupert Clevely anticipated that acquisition of the Bullfinch would be complete by the end of January and the pub would close for three to four months for refurbishments. Acquisition and refurbishment costs were undisclosed.