Australian Food Ministers meet to discuss food regulations

The Food Ministers’ Meeting met 25 July via videoconference to consider food regulation and policy matters. 

Some of the changes under discussion and the key outcomes from the meeting can be found below.

The role of the Food Regulation System in addressing overweight and obesity

Ministers agreed to a governance structure to guide implementation and reporting between the food regulation system and agencies involved in implementing national strategies. These strategies include the National Obesity Strategy 2022–2032 and National Preventive Health Strategy 2021–2030, which aim to reduce the rising rates of obesity and diet-related disease.

Carbohydrate and sugar claims on alcoholic beverages

Ministers agreed not to request a review of Proposal P1049 – Carbohydrate and sugar claims on alcoholic beverages.

Carbohydrate claims on alcohol products have been allowed for many years. The decision before Ministers was whether or not this included claims about ‘sugar’, which is a form of carbohydrate. The proposed variation to the Food Standards Code clarifies that nutrition content claims about sugar can be made on alcoholic beverages; however, claims about individually named sugars and components of carbohydrate are prohibited.

The FSANZ board will undertake a review in five years as part of the evaluation framework, noting some concern remains about consumers coming to incorrect conclusions about the healthfulness of alcohol because of claims about its carbohydrate and sugar content.

Energy labelling on alcoholic beverages

Ministers agreed not to request a review of Proposal P1059 – Energy labelling on alcoholic beverages.

The variation to the Code will mandate energy statements on packaged alcoholic beverages. This includes energy content per serving, energy content per 100 mL, number of servings per package and number of standard drinks. Ministers noted that the introduction of energy labelling, in combination with education and awareness initiatives, can support consumers to better manage their energy intake from alcohol and make informed choices in line with dietary guidelines.

Definitions for gene technology and new breeding techniques

Ministers agreed not to request a review of Proposal P1055 – Definitions for gene technology and new breeding techniques (NBTs).

The changes introduce new risk-based definitions in the Code for ‘genetically modified food’ and ‘novel DNA’. The new definitions do not alter the overall regulatory approach to GM food, including how it is labelled. Foods that are GM foods under the new definitions will continue to require an application to FSANZ for pre-market safety assessment and will continue to be subject to mandatory GM labelling requirements.

Health Star Rating system and nutrition labelling:

Ministers considered a report on consumer research which found that while most people were aware of the Health Star Rating (HSR) system, many misunderstand how it works — particularly that it should only be used to compare similar products. This highlights a need for more education. The consumer research report will be published at www.healthstarrating.gov.au.

Ministers noted FSANZ’s progress in reviewing the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) to help consumers make informed food choices. Key focus areas include nutrient declarations, serving sizes, percentage daily intake and label readability.

They also received an update on FSANZ’s work to assess the potential for mandating the HSR in the Code, including its use with the NIP in online food sales.

The Food Ministers will next meet in November 2025. 

Image credit: iStock.com/Goran13