The Government is set to announce plans for mandatory health label warnings on all cans and bottles of beer, wine and spirits.
It is understood, the labels will include details of how many units a bottle contains, a general health warning and a reminder to drink responsibly.
They would also list the safe daily consumption limits and the Drinkaware website address.
The consultation will outline three options — that drinks firms voluntarily comply and print the warnings, that they be forced to do so by the Portman Group, the industry's regulator or that they will be forced to do so by law.
However, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said that there was no need for making the scheme mandatry. It said more than nine out of 10 beer cans and bottles in the UK now carry information on the number of alcoholic units.
A Government study from last year found:
• 91% of beer cans and bottles have unit information
• 75% have a responsibility message
• 82% have the Drinkaware logo
• 40% have the responsible drinking guidelines
• 31% have a pregnancy warning
"The positive and continuing progress made, not only shows the merits of the voluntary approach, but demonstrates why Government should continue to back the voluntary approach as the best way of achieving their objective of better information for consumers," said chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association Brigid Simmonds.
Heineken UK introduced responsible drinking information on all its bottles and cans in 2003.
Head of external communications Nigel Pollard said: "The information today includes a responsible drinking message; the number of alcohol units contained within the pack; recommended daily guidelines for consumption; a foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) pictogram and details of the drinkaware website."
The Conservatives recently proposed a move away from the unit system. Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "In order that people are able to make the right choices we need to provide them with simple and correct information.
"That is why, for example, we are going to move away from the confusing system of alcohol units, and also provide people with relevant, consistent information such as the centilitres of alcohol in alcohol products, and the calories content in each alcoholic drink."