(Endorsed 21 August 2020)
In August 2019, the Australia and New Zealand Forum on Food Regulation (Forum) agreed to a program of activities in the Food Regulation System to contribute towards reducing chronic disease related to overweight and obesity. One of these activities was the development of a Policy Guideline on Food Labelling to Support Consumers to make Informed Healthy Choices (the Policy Guideline).
The Policy Guideline was developed and informed by targeted and public consultation. Stakeholder feedback was considered and used to revise the Policy Guideline. An overview of the stakeholder feedback received is provided in the Consultation Report: Policy Guideline on food labelling to support consumers to make informed healthy food choices.
In August 2020, the Forum endorsed the Policy Guideline. The Policy Guideline provides strategic guidance to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) about the Forum’s expectations on food labelling to support consumers to make informed healthy choices in relation to the recommendations in the Australian and New Zealand Dietary Guidelines. These include ensuring information is easily accessed and understood, allows consumers to compare foods, and takes into account the nutritional content of the whole food so as to not mislead consumers.
Approval of the Policy Guideline does not trigger any food label changes, however when FSANZ is developing or reviewing a food regulatory measure it must have regard to the Policy Guideline, as per the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991.
Policy Guideline on Food Labelling to Support Consumers to make Informed Healthy Choices (PDF 511 KB)
Policy Guideline on Food Labelling to Support Consumers to make Informed Healthy Choices (Word 313 KB)
