FSANZ calls for public comment on alcohol labels

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for public comment on a proposal to require alcoholic beverages to display energy content on their labels.

Currently, most alcoholic beverages are not required to display any nutritional information, including energy content. To assist consumers in making informed choices consistent with dietary guidelines, Australian and New Zealand food ministers asked FSANZ to consider energy labelling on alcoholic beverages. FSANZ proposed amending the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to require energy (kilojoule) content information on the label of alcoholic beverages.

FSANZ CEO Sandra Cuthbert said both the Australian and New Zealand dietary guidelines recommend limiting alcohol intake to help achieve appropriate energy intake.

“Available evidence indicates the energy content of alcoholic beverages is not well understood by many consumers,” Cuthbert said. “The proposed approach ensures greater coverage and consistency of energy labelling to support consumers to make informed choices.”

FSANZ’s assessment considered the best available evidence, relevant policy guidance, stakeholder views and the cost and benefits of providing energy content information on alcoholic beverages.

The call for submissions provides a summary of FSANZ’s assessment of the proposal and includes draft amendments to the code. Interested parties are invited to comment on the proposed amendments. Details on how to make a submission are available on the FSANZ website.

All submissions will be published to the FSANZ website at the end of the public comment period, and all feedback will be considered before a decision is made on the proposal. FSANZ’s decision will be notified to ministers responsible for food regulation, who may then agree to the amendment or ask for a review.

The period for comment closes at 6 pm (Canberra time), 27 February 2023.

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