Country of origin labelling

(December 2015)

The Australian Government has proposed a new country of origin labelling system. The new system involves moving country of origin labelling requirements from the Food Standards Code into Australian Consumer Law and introducing additional requirements for ‘priority’ foods.

The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science (DIIS) is consulting on the proposed new system until 29 January 2016. More information is available on the DIIS Consultation Hub.

Requirements for country of origin labelling in Australia

Until the proposed changes to the country of origin labelling system take effect, the requirements in the Food Standards Code and in Australian Consumer Law continue to apply.

Most foods in Australia are required by the Food Standards Code to have country of origin labeling. However, the rules for country of origin claims e.g. ‘product of’ or ‘made in’, are set out in Australian Consumer Law and these claims are regulated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

 

Read more about country of origin claims on the ACCC website

Food Standards Code country of origin requirements – packaged foods

Packaged food must carry a statement identifying either:  

• the country where the food was made, produced or grown; or
• the country where the food was manufactured or packaged and that the food is a mix of ingredients imported into that country or a mix of local and imported ingredients.  

The country of origin of the ingredients can also be stated.  

Food Standards Code country of origin requirements – unpackaged foods

Country of origin labelling applies to unpackaged fresh and processed fruit, vegetables, nuts, spices, herbs, legumes, seeds, fish (including shellfish) and meat (pork, beef, sheep and chicken).

 

For example, the following unpackaged foods are required to have country of origin labelling:

• fresh and sun-dried tomatoes
• processed ham and bacon
• fresh and smoked fish fillets, and crumbed fish fillets
• fresh apples and dried apples
• chicken, pork, beef and lamb.

The country of origin of the food must be identified, or, if the food is a mix of foods from different countries, the retailer can state each country of origin or that the food is a mix of local and imported foods, or a mix of imported foods.

 

For unpackaged food, country of origin information can be written on a sign near the food or on labels, e.g. stickers on fruit.  

Are there any exemptions from country of origin labelling?

Some food is exempt from country of origin labelling requirements, including food sold for immediate consumption e.g. food sold in cafes, restaurants and canteens or when a food is made and packaged on the premises it is sold, such as in a bakery. 

Does country of origin labelling apply in New Zealand?

Country of origin labelling is voluntary in New Zealand and suppliers may choose not to display this information. When suppliers do include country of origin information, it must be accurate.

 

All food must be labelled with the contact details of the food supplier in New Zealand or Australia, so you can contact the supplier and ask for details about the food.

 

ACCC fact sheet ‘Where does your food come from?’

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/labelling/coo/Pages/default.aspx