Labelling

On this page

• What is needed on a food label?
• Details that are not enforced by the Authority

Labelling provisions for food sold in Australia and New Zealand are set by the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

The Authority is responsible for administering and enforcing these provisions in NSW, as well as administering the Food Act 2003 (NSW), which includes sections relating to information that can mislead the consumer.

What is needed on a food label?

A food label must identify:

• a name for the food sufficient to indicate the true nature of the food
• the identification of a ‘lot’ of the food
• name and street address in Australia or NZ of the supplier of the food (eg the manufacturer, marketer or importer)
• a list of the ingredients
• a statement of the shelf life of the product, either a ‘use-by’ or a ‘best before’ date. This can be used in lieu of the ‘lot’
•  the nutrition information panel (NIP), with the content of the basic nutrients contained in the food, per serving and also per 100g of that food
• the country of origin of the product and its ingredients, and
• warning and advisory statements about substances that may be harmful to people with allergies and food sensitivities, such as nuts.

If specific requirements are needed to achieve the indicated shelf life, these must also be on the label.

A few foods will need directions for use to be included.

Details that are not enforced by the Authority

• the presence and accuracy of total weights and measures statements, which are the responsibility of the NSW Office of Fair Trading . Note that the Authority is responsible for percentage ingredient statements.
• barcodes
• recycling codes
• pet foods
• therapeutic products including dietary aids and supplements registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.