Country of origin labelling: reform starts 1 July

Clarity for consumers drove the reform of country of origin labelling for foods. Under the changes, which come into effect on 1 July this year, all food that currently needs to be labelled with a country of origin will continue to do so.

Most food that is made, produced or grown in Australia will need to carry a label that also includes a kangaroo symbol, as well as text and a bar chart indicating the percentage of Australian ingredients.

Labels for most products packed in Australia that contain imported foods which have undergone no or only minor processing in Australia will carry a ‘packed’ statement, as well as text and a bar chart indicating the percentage of Australian ingredients. They will not carry the kangaroo symbol.

Imported food will continue to show where it was grown, produced, made. If the food was not grown, produced or made in a single country, it will need to indicate where it was packed and that it is of multiple origins or comprises imported ingredients.

The new Information Standard has been registered and businesses can start using the new labels now. Those needing more time to implement their labelling changes have two years after the 1 July start date before the changes become mandatory. This means that any food labelled under the current rules before 1 July 2018 can still be sold and allowed to see out its shelf life.

A national consumer information campaign has begun to raise awareness of Australian Government reforms to country of origin labelling for food.

A national campaign will inform consumers about the changes and explain what the new labels on foods mean.