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Mandatory signage requirement
The liquor licence and control act requires certain premises to display a sign that cautions consuming liquor during pregnancy is the cause of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. As required under regulation 745/21, the warning sign must be in English (and may also be in French), at least 8 by 10 inches in size, and prominently displayed in all locations where liquor is sold and served, where customers make their own wine or beer or where liquor is purchased. Failure to comply with the signage requirements in premises licensed by the AGCO may result in administrative action by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
The following types of premises licensed by the AGCO must prominently display the warning sign in location(s) that are visible to patrons:
- Premises to which a licence to operate a liquor consumption premises applies (i.e. restaurants, bars and other businesses licensed to sell liquor
- Premises to which an endorsement authorizing the sale and service of liquor applies (i.e. areas under a by-the-glass endorsement, brewery, winery, distillery retail store endorsement, including temporary extensions within farmer’s markets or within permitted industry promotional events)
- Premises to which a licence to operate a ferment on premises facility applies
- A retail store (i.e. AGCO-licenced convenience and grocery stores, stores with an Offsite Winery Retail Store licence and approved Brewers’ Retail Inc. locations).
If you have questions about this requirement, please submit your question to the AGCO online via the iAGCO online portal, or call AGCO customer service Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at: 416-326-8700, or 1-800-522-2876 (toll-free in Ontario)
If you believe a premise licensed by the AGCO is not meeting this signage requirement, please visit the iAGCO online portal to submit a complaint. For more information on the process of submitting a complaint or inquiry, see the AGCO complaints and inquiries webpage
The liquor licence and control act also requires Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) stores (including Convenience Outlets) to comply with this signage requirement. As compliance with the signage requirement at these stores does not fall under the AGCO’s regulatory authority, please direct any questions or comments related to Sandy’s Law signage to the LCBO.