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Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Food Standards Code?

The Food Standards Code is a joint set of food labelling and composition standards for New Zealand and Australia. It provides consumers with information about what's in the food they eat and a common set of food composition and labelling rules between New Zealand and Australia.

Who developed the Food Standards Code?

The Code was developed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand, an independent bi-national authority responsible for setting food composition and labelling standards in New Zealand and Australia, with input from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority. The New Zealand Food Safety Authority is responsible for the development of food safety standards in New Zealand and for implementing the Food Standards Code.

How is the Food Standards Code enforced?

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority is responsible for implementing the code in New Zealand, including compliance policy. Complaints and queries about the code are dealt with by the Health Protection Officers at District Health Boards' Public Health Units.

Where can I find a copy of the Food Standards Code?

A copy of the Food Standards Code is available online at www.foodstandards.govt.nz. Copies can also be purchased from Anstat Pty Ltd, PO Box 447, South Melbourne 3205; Ph 0061 3 9278 11445.

What do food labels need to contain?

The new food labels contain more information than the labels we are used to seeing. Key features of a food label include:

• Food identification: labels must identify the food, its batch, and the name and address of its New Zealand or Australian supplier.
• Mandatory advisory statements, declarations and warnings: advisory statements and declarations about certain ingredients that may react with some people must be included on labels, for example: quinine, caffeine, aspartame, guarana, unpasteurised egg and milk products, fish, milk, eggs, gluten, nuts, soy beans, and crustaceans. In some cases warnings may be required, such as 'not recommended for children'.
• Ingredients: labels must list ingredients by weight in descending order. The ingredients of compound ingredients (for example, chocolate chips in a biscuit) must be listed if they account for 5% or more of the finished product. As previously, food additives must be included in the ingredient list, either as the additive name or class number. The New Zealand Food Safety Authority booklet Identifying Food Additives is available online or from local Public Health Units.
• Date marking: products with a shelf-life of less than two years must display their best before or use by date. A best before date is the date after which the product is no longer at its best but still safe, and a use by date is the date after which a product may be unsafe and cannot be sold.
• Nutritional information: nutrition information panels must be displayed on most food products, not just those making nutrient claims. The panel must list the amount of energy, protein, total fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugar, and sodium in the product.
• Percentage labelling: labels must display the proportion of characterising ingredients in a product. For example, strawberries are a characterising ingredient of strawberry yoghurt.
• Legibility: all information required by the code must be displayed prominently, legibly, and in English.

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority has distributed pamphlets and fact sheets on food labelling to help consumers understand product labels.

What food is exempt from the labelling rules?

Some food is exempt from the labelling requirements, including:

• Unpackaged foods
• Foods packaged in the presence of the purchaser
• Foods in inner packs not available for individual sale
• Unobscured fruit or vegetables
• Takeaway and delivered food
• Food sold at fundraising events

If, however, the food product contains an ingredient that would normally require a warning, the warning must still be displayed on or in connection with the display of the food, or provided to the purchaser on request.

What other food standards and regulations apply in New Zealand?

There are a range of food regulatory requirements in New Zealand. Importantly, all food for sale in New Zealand must comply with the Food Act 1981, the Food (Safety) Regulations 2002, the New Zealand Food Standards 2002, and the Fair Trading Act 1986. For more information visit "Regulation of Food in New Zealand" or the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) website.