Release of food labelling final report

Recommendations to improve food labelling law and policy in Australia and New Zealand are contained in the report of an independent panel presented to Federal, state and territory Governments and released last month.

The report, Labelling Logic, was presented by chair of an independent Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy, Dr Neal Blewett, to the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Catherine King.

“This is a most important review of what are matters of widespread interest to consumers, regulators and the wider food and health sectors,” Ms King said.

“This Report seeks to address many food labelling issues that have challenged governments here and abroad for many years. The impact of each of the recommendations in this Report will need to be carefully assessed.

“A range of issues generated considerable debate during the Review process. Examples of these include the role of food labelling in addressing population health priorities, and the extent to which information about food ingredients, production processes, manufacturing technologies, and the presence of additives and allergens should be declared on food labels.”

The Commonwealth response to the recommendations will be guided by three principles:

• Consumers are entitled to have the best possible information and we want food labelling to help Australians make informed decisions when it comes to food;
• That information, in line with the Government’s commitment to improving heath outcomes, should help consumers to make healthy food choices; and
• That we continue to support an innovative, vibrant and sustainable food industry in Australia that actively supports the government’s health agenda.

The development of a government response is going to be a complex task and views on the recommendations are likely to be varied. The Parliamentary Secretary will commence meeting with key stakeholder groups during the coming weeks. The Ministerial Council has suggested that a realistic timeframe to consider a response is December 2011.

More information, including the final Report and copies of public submissions and public consultation meeting records are available at www.foodlabellingreview.gov.au