NSW leading the way on food labelling

24 Nov 2006

NSW will continue to push for accuracy in food labelling with Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald requesting further research on food nutritional content.

Minister Macdonald said NSW is leading the way on food safety.

“The NSW Food Authority, the first and only fully integrated food agency in Australia, has already spearheaded a number of initiatives to ensure truth in labelling for consumers including ongoing country of origin and black market operation campaigns,” Minister Macdonald said.

“The research being conducted by the NSW Food Authority on the accuracy of food labels are part of national moves to ensure consumers receive accurate information.”

Minister Macdonald said the NSW research would be a key plank in a wider national process on nutritional labelling being led by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

“Any possible changes to nutritional information can only occur through this national process, NSW can’t go it alone and FSANZ have said they will review all aspects of labelling next year,” he said.

There has been a lot of action taken on this front in the last few years.

“Mandatory food labels were introduced in 2002 to help consumers make informed choices about the food they buy,” Minister Macdonald said.

“The pilot Food Authority study found some difference in the level of nutrients and those reported on nutritional panels.

“It is important to note that this does not mean that food manufacturers are misleading consumers. The nutritional composition of food can deteriorate naturally over time and that’s one reason manufactures use averages when measuring and reporting nutrients on NIPs,” Minister Macdonald said.

“The pilot research carried out by the Food Authority suggests there are inherent differences in nutritional testing methodologies and food processing procedures.

“The Food Authority will carry out further research to get to the bottom of the issue, so that NSW consumers can make safe and healthy choices”.