What's in Our Food?
Labels also indicate any precautions you may need to take, such as storage or cooking instructions. A food label contains information that is required by law.
All food sold in this country must comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code for labelling. We administer the Code which covers labels among other things, so that there is information available regarding the safety and suitability of the food you are about to eat. Labels may also indicate any precautions you need to take, such as storage or cooking instructions, date marks and whether it contains allergens. This page also touches on items that may appear on a food label such as a country of origin statement, advertising and nutrition claims.
What must be on a food label?
Nearly every food product requires a label, with varying degrees of detail. A food label must be in English (other languages can be used in addition to English, as long as they do not contradict the information).
In general, these items must be shown on a food label:
- the name of the food, to identify it
- the lot identification, which identifies the premises where the food was packaged and/or prepared and the batch it came from, to assist should there be a food recall (this may also be the date mark)
- the name and address of the supplier and business in New Zealand or Australia who can be contacted if more information about the product is needed
- mandatory warning statements, advisory statements and declarations to identify certain ingredients/substances that may trigger allergies or be of concern
- ingredient list in descending order of in-going weight including any food additives, such as preservatives, flavours and colours, which are identified by their function and name or code number (eg, Thickener (pectin) or Thickener (440))
- date marking is needed for most packaged food with a shelf life of less than two years, most commonly these are 'Use By' and 'Best Before' dates
- directions for use and storage (where needed) to ensure the food will keep for the period indicated by the date mark, and/or how you should store the food to stop it spoiling or reduce the growth of pathogens that may cause illness
- Nutrition Information Panel to allow you to compare the quantities of seven key nutrients per serving and per 100g or 100ml of liquid
- percentage labelling of characterising ingredient
- net weight or volume.
Visit FoodSmart to read more about Understanding Food Labels.
