Alcohol

Labelling requirements

Alcoholic beverage labelling is covered in Parts 1.2 and 2.7 of the Food Standards Code. In addition to general labelling requirements such as ingredients, country of origin, date marking, and directions for use and storage, there a number of specific requirements that apply.

Pregnancy warning labels

On 31 July 2020, the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code was amended to include new requirements for pregnancy warning labels on packaged alcoholic beverages.

Businesses have three years from 31 July 2020 to implement these requirements.

Information for industry including downloadable labels is available on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand website.

Alcohol by volume

Beer, wine or spirits that contain more than 1.15% of alcohol by volume must include a statement that indicates the volume of alcohol as a percentage of the total volume of the beverage.

Standard drink labelling

The label must include the number of standard drinks in the beverage if packaged after 20 December 2002. A standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol.

Geographical reference

For some imported drinks, the label must only include a geographical reference if it was produced in the country or region indicated. The law also prohibits alcohol being sold with a geographical reference on the label when it has been exported from one country but bottled in another.

Health & nutrition content claims

As with all food and drink products, information on alcohol labels must not be false, misleading or deceptive. Labels cannot include nutrition content claims (except energy, gluten or carbohydrate content) or any health claims for beverages containing more than 1.15% alcohol by volume.