Food labels should provide consumers with clear and unambiguous information to enable them to make informed choices. Typical requirements for food labelling are:
- name and address of the food manufacturer
- lot identification
- date marking
- lists of ingredients
- nutrition information panel
- mandatory declarations or warnings as required in order to protect health
- country of origin.
Food labelling regulation
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is not involved in the delivery of these regulations, but liaises closely with regulatory agencies to provide a business perspective on their impacts.
The national standards for food labelling in Australia are detailed in Chapter 1 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and enforced in Western Australia through the Food Act 2008, and the Food Regulations 2009.
There is a calculator on the Industry section of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand website to assist businesses develop Nutrition Information Panels (NIP) for their food products.
Food labelling concerns
Concerns relating to labelling, including country of origin labelling for specific food products, should be addressed to the Environmental Health Officer at your local government authority.