The New Zealand government is mulling a trial of digital food labels, aimed at reducing onerous requirements on new supermarkets seeking to enter the market.
Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard announced on Thursday the beginning of a consultation process on the proposed trial, which focuses on lower-risk imported goods.
According to the ministers, the findings from this trial will support the newly initiated trans-Tasman work on digital labelling.
Current regulations require supermarkets entering the New Zealand market to re-label pre-packaged products to meet the local food labelling standards, which can result in additional costs. The digital labelling is expected to address this barrier.
“Retailers would still need to provide shoppers with information about allergens, ingredients and nutrition, but they would not have to go to the expense of re-labelling products to do so,” said Willis.
“Information could be made accessible in-store and online via on-shelf QR codes, in-store digital labels, websites and mobile apps.”
Under the Food Act, the government must consult with stakeholders before changing food regulations. Public consultation on the trial will close on December 19.
If the trial proceeds, potential participants will be invited to register their interest.
“Products would come from trusted trading partners with strong food regulatory systems similar to New Zealand’s own,” said Hoggard.
“Trial participants will still need to provide information which aligns with the Food Act, the compositional requirements of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and all other relevant legislation,” he added.
