Australia’s new country of origin food labelling laws have commenced, after taking effect from July 1.
The Australian Made Campaign’s (AMCL) Australian Made, Australian Grown (AMAG) kangaroo logo will feature on most new labels, along with a bar chart indicating the proportion of Australian ingredients by weight.
The new system is compulsory for all food products produced for sale in Australia. Consumers will gradually start to see the new labels roll out, with a two year phase in period to allow companies to redesign, reprint and apply the new labels before the June 30, 2018 deadline, when the new system will become mandatory.
Companies will still be allowed to sell products with the existing labels after 1 July, 2018 providing the labels were applied before the cut off date.
Australian Made Campaign CEO, Ian Harrison, said the scheme will greatly improve clarity and consistency for Australian consumers.
“A tighter system for food labelling, coupled with a better understanding of that system by consumers, will give Aussie shoppers more confidence in what they are purchasing and provide Australian farmer and manufacturers with a much needed leg up,” Mr Harrison said.
National vegetable industry body AUSVEG has welcomed the commencement of the new labelling laws.
“The reformed system which commences [July 1] is a real win for Australian consumers, and is a definitive affirmation of the right of shoppers to make informed decisions about the food they buy,” said AUSVEG spokesperson, Jordan Brooke-Barnett.
“After years of campaigning for meaningful country of origin labelling reform, AUSVEG is very pleased to see these new laws take effect. This new labelling system is an encouraging step forward in efforts to provide consumers with more transparent, informative food labelling.”
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