Australian Food Labelling Laws

Used under a Creative Commons Licence

Australian Food Labelling Laws

Australian food labelling laws are strict, detailed, and constantly evolving. Whether you’re a food manufacturer, importer, retailer, or café owner, complying with FSANZ food labelling requirements is essential—not only to meet legal obligations but also to protect public health and maintain consumer trust.

This guide explains the key rules, why they were introduced, recent changes, and how to keep your business compliant.

Why Food Labelling Laws Exist in Australia

Australia’s food labelling compliance framework exists for three main reasons:

1. Protecting public health – Clear allergen labelling reduces the risk of life-threatening allergic reactions.
2. Ensuring consumer transparency – Country of Origin rules help buyers make informed choices.
3. Preventing misleading claims – The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) prohibits deceptive marketing and greenwashing.

These laws are in place because of real-world incidents—from allergen-related fatalities to misleading “Made in Australia” branding—that showed gaps in the old system.

The Legal Framework

Australian food labelling laws are regulated under:

• The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) – Overseen by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), covering food safety, labelling, and composition.
• Australian Consumer Law (ACL) – Governing truthful advertising and preventing misleading conduct.
• State & Territory Food Acts – Adding extra requirements, often for high-risk food categories.

Mandatory Labelling Requirements

Every packaged food product sold in Australia must have:

• Name & description of the food
• Full ingredient list (by descending weight)
• Allergen declarations in plain English, bolded, and with a “Contains” statement
• Nutrition Information Panel (NIP)
• Date marking (“use by” or “best before”)
• Country of origin statement and logo/bar chart
• Supplier’s name and Australian street address
• Lot or batch identification
• Warnings/advisory statements as needed

All this must be in English, clear, and easy to read.

Recent Changes & Why They Matter

1. Allergen Labelling – Introduced after serious allergic reaction cases. Requires plain English, bold font, and clear “Contains” statements.
2. Country of Origin – Brought in after public concern over misleading labels. Now requires the kangaroo logo and a percentage bar chart showing Australian content.
3. Marketing Claims – ACCC crackdowns mean “organic,” “free from,” and other claims must be backed by evidence.
4. Font Size & Placement – Designed to stop hiding key safety info in fine print.
5. State-Specific Rules – NSW’s 2025 laws target high-risk foods like eggs and berries after past contamination outbreaks.

Online Sales & Imported Foods

Selling online or importing food into Australia? The same rules apply. Imported products must have compliant labels before sale, and unpackaged goods must still display essential safety and origin details.

Risks of Non-Compliance

Failing to meet FSANZ food labelling requirements can lead to:

• Costly recalls
• Fines and enforcement action from the ACCC or FSANZ
• Consumer backlash and reputational harm

How Sharon Givoni Consulting Can Help

As specialist Australian food lawyers, we help businesses with:

• Label compliance reviews – Checking against FSANZ, ACL, and state rules
• Product composition advice – Ensuring recipes meet the Code’s requirements
• Marketing claim review – Avoiding greenwashing penalties
• Country of Origin advice – Correct logo and bar chart use for Australian and imported goods
• Online sales compliance – Ensuring digital product listings meet the same standards
• Staff training – Practical sessions on food labelling laws

Please note the above article is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice.

Please email us info@iplegal.com.au if you need legal advice about your brand or another legal matter in this area generally.