National vegetable industry body AUSVEG has welcomed the commencement of Australia’s new Country of Origin Labelling laws, applauding the implementation of the new labelling system which will give consumers more information about where their food purchases come from.
Under the new system, packaging for food products will include a label indicating the proportion of Australian ingredients by weight, displayed in a statement and a bar graph to ensure quick and easy comprehension by consumers.
The new laws apply starting today, with the labels becoming mandatory on all food products sold in retail stores from July 1, 2018. Businesses now have a two-year transitional period in which to design new packaging and apply the labels.
“The reformed system which commences today is a real win for Australian consumers, and is a definitive affirmation of the right of shoppers to make informed decisions about the food they buy,” said AUSVEG spokesperson Jordan Brooke-Barnett.
“After years of campaigning for meaningful country of origin labelling reform, AUSVEG is very pleased to see these new laws take effect. This new labelling system is an encouraging step forward in efforts to provide consumers with more transparent, informative food labelling.”
