Food labelling

If your business prepares and packages retail food, you must include a food label in line with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

This means you must develop your own food labels with certain information.

You must do this so consumers can make informed decision about the food they eat, based on:

• nutrition
• allergies
• health conditions
• personal preference
• religious beliefs
• food safety.

What information to include

• Food name
• Where the product was packed or prepared
• Product batch number
• Name and business address of the supplier in Australia and/or New Zealand
• Mandatory advisory statements including the presence of allergens – if required
• Ingredients
• Best before or use by date
• Nutrition information panel
• Health and safety advice for storage or reheating/cooking
• Country of origin

Foods that don’t need labels

A food label is not required for:

• food made and packaged on the premises where it’s sold or ordered like:
  • ready-to-eat take away meals
  • sliced meats ordered from the butcher or deli
• whole or cut fresh fruit and vegetables in packaging where the product is visible
• food sold at a fundraising event
• hospitality food prepared for immediate consumption - consumers can ask staff about the food and its ingredients.

More information

You can find more information about the code including a nutritional panel calculator on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand website.

Other Australian jurisdictions have also developed guides in line with the code. These can be found on their websites.

Contact

For more information, contact Environmental Health. Get their contact details on the NT Health website.