Complying with Australia’s country of origin food labelling information standards
If you are selling food products in Australia, then you may need to comply with Australia’s Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard (“the Standard”).
What is the standard?
Labelling requirements differ between different kinds of food products, considered “priority” and “non-priority”.
What are non-priority foods?
Non-priority foods have less onerous labelling requirements than priority foods and only need to include text on the packaging stating the country of origin. The text does not need to be in a box.
Foods that fall under this category include seasonings, confectionery, biscuits and snack foods, soft drinks and sport drinks, alcoholic drinks, tea, coffee and bottled water.
For example, coffee beans that have been grown in Australia may be labelled with ‘Product of Australia’.
What are priority foods?
Priority foods are foods that fall outside those listed above as non-priority foods. The labelling requirements for priority foods will depend on whether the food:
has been grown, produced or made in Australia;
includes imported ingredients but is packed in Australia; and
is imported.
GROWN, PRODUCED OR MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Foods that have been grown, produced or made in Australia must be labelled with the three-component standard mark. This comprises of:
the Kangaroo label;
a bar chart which indicates the percentage of Australia ingredients in the food; and
an explanatory text stating where the food was grown, produced or made.
An example of this is ‘made in Australia from at least 50% Australian ingredients’.
PACKED IN AUSTRALIA
Foods that are packed in Australia but include ingredients from other countries, must use the two-component mark. The two-component mark also comprises of a bar chart and an explanatory text (but does not include the Kangaroo label).
An example of packaging using the two-component standard mark is ‘Packed in Australia from less than 10% Australian ingredients’.
IMPORTED FOOD
Priority foods that are not grown, produced, made or packed in Australia must state the country of origin AND the text must be included within a clearly defined box. An example of this is ‘Made in the USA’.
How can we help?
It is important that your retail food packaging complies with the Standard. Failing to comply may result in a contravention of the Australian Consumer Law.
Please contact us to ensure that your retail food packaging complies with these food labelling standards.
**** For information on the Standards in other languages, please click the below links: