Policy Guideline on Nutrition, Health and Related Claims

(Endorsed 12 December 2003, revised on 28 May 2004 and again on 29 June 2018)
On 12 December 2003 the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Council (now the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation (Forum)) endorsed a nutrition, health and related claims policy guideline.

On 28 May 2004 Ministers further considered the issue of biomarker maintenance claims. The Ministerial Council determined that claims regarding the maintenance of a biomarker would be permitted on foods. They will be treated in the same way as biomarker enhancement claims. That is, manufacturers will be required to apply to FSANZ for approval of a biomarker maintenance claim, prior to releasing the product to market. This will ensure that claims are appropriately substantiated, and subject to public consultation, prior to their use. The policy guideline was updated to reflect this decision.  

The Policy Guideline was developed to assist in the development of Standard 1.2.7 – Nutrition, Health and Related Claims (the Standard).

The Standard was developed by FSANZ over a ten year period. The Policy Guideline was not updated as Ministerial decisions were made and development of the Standard progressed. This resulted in inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the Policy Guideline.

At the meeting of 29 June 2018, the Forum endorsed the revised Policy Guideline on nutrition, health and related claims that has been updated to incorporate Ministerial decisions made since 2003. The refreshed policy guideline is available below.

Policy Guideline on Nutrition, Health and Related Claims (Word 161 KB)
Policy Guideline on Nutrition, Health and Related Claims (PDF 178 KB)