Thursday, 1 December 2016

Country of Origin Labelling Changes in Australia

The Australian Government is introducing a new country of origin food labelling system. The new system will commence on 1 July 2016. Under the new system, country of origin labelling requirements will come under Australian Consumer Law.

Businesses will have two years to sell current stock and change their labels to comply with the new law before it becomes mandatory on 1 July 2018.

Information about the new labels is available on the Department of Industry website.

Current requirements for country of origin labelling in Australia

Currently, food products offered for retail sale in Australia must comply with country of origin labelling requirements set out in the Food Standards Code.

With the introduction of the new system, FSANZ has proposed  Proposal P1041: that the Food Standards Code be amended to remove its country of origin labelling requirements at the end of the two-year transition period.

New requirements for country of origin labelling in Australia

A guide to assist businesses to comply with the Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard 2016. 
The guide:
  • will help businesses to identify whether they need to comply with the Standard
  • sets out the labelling requirements for priority and non-priority foods
  • explains how businesses must work out the percentage, by weight, of Australian ingredients in a food
  • outlines the basic principles for how labels should look on food products
  • outlines the ACL’s requirements regarding making clear and accurate origin claims.

General information about country of origin labelling is available from the ACCC website.

If you believe that the product you produce will be impacted by the new Country of Origin Labelling laws and are thinking of printing your own labels in house to meet this requirement -we can assist.  Metromatics sells and supports the range of Quicklabel Systems Ink Jet Colour Label Printer in Australia and New Zealand.

For further information, please contact Metromatics on +61 7 3868 4255 or sales@metromatics.com.au


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