State prosecutors in Lille have opened a probe to investigate the complaints brought by the three women, all of whom gave birth to children with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Benoit Titran, the lawyer representing the three mothers, said wine makers have done little to ensure that women are aware of the risks of drinking while pregnant.

"Producers of alcohol know about the risks of alcohol for pregnant women," said Titran, adding that numerous scientific studies have shown that moderate alcohol consumption can damage a fetus. "Two glasses a day or a peak consumption of five glasses in an evening are enough for this irreversible syndrome."

Titran is calling for warning labels to be prominently placed on all alcoholic drinks to inform consumers about the risk of drinking during pregnancy. Although French wine imported to the United States displays warning labels in English, the labels are not on French wine sold in France.

"Why does an American consumer have this information and not a French consumer?" Titran asked.

Philippe Douste-Blazy, France's minister of health, said he would push for warnings labels on alcohol sold in France, as well as a public-awareness campaign to warn pregnant women about the dangers of alcohol.

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