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Briefs

FSANZ outlines significant labelling work ahead  

FSANZ outlines significant labelling work ahead  

16 August 2024

Background  

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) recently issued a media statement outlining a package of work on nutrition labelling standards they are progressing to improve consumers’ ability to make more informed and healthier dietary choices. This follows the recent Food Ministers’ Meeting where it was agreed that FSANZ start scoping work to improve both front- and back-of-pack nutrition information, as well as finalise two separate proposals on alcohol labelling. 

Consumer research that informed food ministers’ consideration of the need for labelling changes is now available on the FSANZ website:  

  • Consumer research for Proposal P1058 – Nutrition labelling about added sugars. Based on focus groups investigating the inclusion of added sugars in the nutrition information panel (NIP). 

Two definitions of ‘added sugars’ for the NIP were tested, which either included or excluded sugars from processed fruit products (such as puree or juice). In addition, the research investigated how consumers perceive and use sugars information.  

Key insights were: 

  • To most consumers, the expression ‘added sugars’ signalled those sugars not naturally occurring in a food product that have been specifically added during processing. For some consumers ‘added sugars’ also equated to processed or refined sugars.  
  • Once an ‘added sugars’ line was added to the NIP, some confusion arose about the meaning of added sugars and how it related to ‘sugars, total’. As a result, some consumers added together ‘sugars, total’ and ‘added sugars’ to arrive at a larger and inaccurate number, when ‘added sugars’ was greater than 0g.  
  • Confusion also arose regarding the meaning of ‘added sugars’ in cases where an ‘added sugars’ amount was listed and the product contained a single ingredient, and/or no perceived added sugar ingredients appeared to be present in the ingredients list (e.g. added sugars arose from processed fruit).  
  • In these cases, participants displayed a tendency to question whether the label, the product itself or the manufacturer could be trusted. 
  • Further educating consumers on ‘added sugars’ labelling in the NIP did not reduce confusion 
  • Consumer research for Proposal P1059 – Energy labelling on alcoholic beverages. An online, randomised controlled trial investigating five labels that differed based on the type of claim provided (no claim, sugar claim, or carbohydrate claim), and the type of nutrition information provided (energy statement, NIP, or no nutrition information). 

FSANZ has initiated preparatory work to support the mandatory implementation of the Health Star Rating (HSR) system if voluntary uptake targets are not achieved. With the low uptake reported early this year (32% Australia, 30% New Zealand), it is likely Food Ministers will request FSANZ to raise a Proposal to make the necessary changes to the Food Standards Code after reporting against the November 2025 target (70% uptake). This will include statutory rounds of consultation. 

FSANZ also confirmed it is undertaking scoping work for a comprehensive review of the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) on the back of packaged foods — the first of its kind in over twenty years — to enhance the clarity and usefulness of nutrition information for consumers. 

As a result of this work, the Proposal P1058 – Nutrition labelling about added sugars is being placed on hold. 

Issues for Members 

Members are encouraged to plan and prepare for label changes across portfolios, and keep abreast of developments. While FSANZ says it aims to align these pieces of work to minimise multiple label pack changes, there is a risk this may not happen.   

AFGC action  

The AFGC will: 

  • continue to engage with governments to ensure consideration of industry circumstances, including complexities and costs of label changes, evidence base, alignment of changes, ample transition times and potential industry assistance. 
  • share information and insights with members and convene working groups to develop submissions for the consultations on HSR and the NIP as they progress. 

Contact  

For more information contact Duncan Craig, Director, Nutrition and Regulation at duncan.craig@afgc.org.au or 0403 854 947.