Food Ministers’ Meeting – update on labelling of HSR and NIP, and regulation of infant foods and toddler milk
20 November 2024
Background
Food Ministers met last Friday where they discussed key priorities for the food regulatory system in the coming 12 -24 months. Further to the official communique, the AFGC provides the following summary and insights.
Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) review and preparatory work on mandating HSR labelling
FSANZ and the Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC) presented to the Ministers the agreed objective, guiding principles, and proposed scope for the NIP review. FSANZ has confirmed with the AFGC that they will be issuing a ‘call for information’ shortly for stakeholders to submit data and evidence to inform the review. This will cover both back (NIP) and front (HSR) of pack labelling elements, with a focus on consumer understanding and use. While this work is progressing in parallel, Ministers stated the preparatory work for mandating HSR is to take priority if resources become constrained.
Other discussions at the Ministers’ Meeting on HSR centred around changes regarding the administration and governance of the current voluntary system.
Regulation of toddler milk
As flagged in the outcomes from the previous meeting (July 2025), Ministers have now requested FSANZ to review the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code as it applies to the composition and labelling of toddler milk. This is to ensure standards are based on the latest evidence and reflects current international regulations and market development. The next step will be for FSANZ raise a Proposal to formally commence the work, although this is not likely to occur until early next year.
Foods for infants and young children
Ministers requested that work on commercial foods for infants and young children should be prioritised by FRSC out-of-session, prior to the next Food Ministers’ Meeting on 14 February 2025. The AFGC considers it highly likely FSANZ will be requested to review relevant standards at this time.
Other issues
Ministers agreed to changes to the policy guideline on the Regulation of Infant Formula Products to expand the definition of ‘infant formula product’. This was considered necessary to ensure regulation of cell-based human milk products is consistent with ‘traditional’ infant formula products. No regulatory change will be triggered.
AFGC action
The AFGC will convene a working group to respond to FSANZ’s call for information on HSR and the NIP in relation to evidence of consumer understanding and other related issues.
The AFGC will continue to actively engage with FSANZ and the broader food regulatory system at all stages of this work. Key to this will be to ensure the regulatory problem is clearly defined and evidence-based, with due consideration of industry circumstances including complexities, costs, and alignment of changes.
Contact
For more information or to join the HSR/NIP review working group, contact Anne-Marie Mackintosh, Associate Director – Nutrition and Regulation at anne-marie.mackintosh@afgc.org.au or 0448 170 568.
Dr Duncan Craig
Director – Nutrition and Regulation
