Food and drink labelling is more than just branding—it’s a legal requirement designed to ensure transparency, safety, and informed consumer choices. In Australia and New Zealand, food labels must comply with the Food Standards Code (FSANZ), which outlines mandatory elements for all packaged foods.
If you’re a food manufacturer, importer, or producer, ensuring your labels meet these compliance standards is crucial to avoid fines, product recalls, and legal issues. Here’s a breakdown of the 10 essential compliance elements required on food and drink labels in Australia and New Zealand.
🛠️ Food Label Elements 1 – 5: The Essentials
1️⃣ Name & Description of the Food
Your label must clearly state:
✔ What the product is (e.g., “Organic Almond Butter”)
✔ A description if the name is not obvious (e.g., “A spread made from roasted almonds with no added sugar”).
This helps consumers identify the product accurately and ensures no misleading claims.
2️⃣ Business Name & Address
All food labels must include the name and physical address of the manufacturer, packer, or importer.
✔ A PO Box alone is not acceptable—there must be a physical street address.
✔ This information helps with traceability in case of product recalls or consumer inquiries.
3️⃣ Ingredient List
All ingredients must be listed in descending order by weight.
✔ Use common names (e.g., “sugar” instead of “sucrose”).
✔ Compound ingredients (e.g., “chocolate” containing cocoa, milk solids, and sugar) must also be broken down.
✔ Additives and preservatives must be listed with their full name or code number (e.g., “Preservative (220)”).
4️⃣ Allergens & Warnings
Food allergens must be clearly declared in the ingredient list or in a separate allergen statement.
✔ Mandatory allergens include: Gluten (wheat, oats, barley, rye), peanuts, tree nuts, soy, dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, sesame, and lupin.
✔ Some foods also require mandatory warning statements, such as caffeine in energy drinks or aspartame in diet sodas.
5️⃣ Nutrition Information Panel (NIP)
A nutrition panel is required on most packaged foods, listing:
✔ Energy (kilojoules)
✔ Protein
✔ Fat (Total & Saturated)
✔ Carbohydrates (Total & Sugars)
✔ Sodium
✔ Any nutrients linked to a health claim (e.g., calcium in a “high calcium” product)
The panel must show values per serving and per 100g or 100mL to allow easy product comparisons.
🌏 Food Label Elements 6 – 10: Regulatory & Consumer Protection
6️⃣ Country of Origin
In Australia, most packaged food must display a Country of Origin label.
✔ Made in Australia – if the product was substantially transformed here.
✔ Product of Australia – if all ingredients and processing occurred in Australia.
✔ Packed in Australia – if it was packaged here but ingredients were sourced overseas.
✔ New Zealand does not require country-of-origin labelling, except for single-ingredient fresh produce.
7️⃣ Directions for Use & Storage
Any specific storage conditions or usage instructions must be clearly stated.
✔ Example: “Refrigerate after opening and consume within 3 days.”
✔ Example: “Shake well before use.”
✔ This ensures food safety and product quality for consumers.
8️⃣ Weights & Measures
The net weight or volume must be clearly stated in grams (g), kilograms (kg), millilitres (mL), or litres (L).
✔ The measurement must be legible and easy to find.
✔ Products sold by count (e.g., eggs, chocolates) may also require a count declaration (e.g., “10-pack”).
✔ This ensures compliance with trade measurement laws.
9️⃣ Lot Identification
Each packaged food item must have a batch or lot number.
✔ This is critical for traceability in case of a product recall.
✔ It allows manufacturers to track specific production batches.
🔟 Date Marking (Use By / Best Before)
Food labels must include one of the following:
✔ “Use By” date – for perishable foods that could be unsafe to eat after this date (e.g., dairy, fresh meat).
✔ “Best Before” date – for foods that are safe to eat after this date but may lose quality (e.g., canned goods, snacks).
✔ Some foods do not require a date mark, such as sugar, salt, and vinegar.
🚀 Why Food Labelling Compliance Matters
Ensuring your food labels meet FSANZ regulations isn’t just about avoiding legal penalties—it’s about:
✅ Building consumer trust with transparent and accurate labels.
✅ Protecting public health, especially for people with allergies and dietary restrictions.
✅ Ensuring fair trade and honest marketing.
💡 Need Help with Food Labelling Compliance?
Navigating FSANZ food labelling regulations can be complex, but getting it right is essential. Whether you’re:
✅ Launching a new product
✅ Updating existing labels
✅ Ensuring your food labels meet compliance
We can help! Get in touch today for expert guidance on FSANZ-compliant food labelling in Australia and New Zealand.