The Alcohol Pregnancy Warning poster advises women that consuming alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriages, stillbirth, and a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities. These disabilities are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Under New York City’s Human Rights Law, restaurants/food establishments are not allowed to refuse alcohol to pregnant women. It is unlawful for any person who is the owner, franchisor, franchisee, lessor, lessee, proprietor, manager, superintendent, agent or employee of any place or provider of public accommodation, directly or indirectly to refuse, withhold from or deny to any person the full and equal enjoyment, on equal terms and conditions, advantages, services, facilities or privileges of the place or provider of public accommodation because of such person’s actual or perceived race, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, or alienage or citizenship status.
Posting Requirements
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene requires all New York City restaurants to display the Alcohol Pregnancy Warning Poster.