Country of origin food labelling rules give details buyers want – Tony Abbott
|
Version 0 of 1. Consumers will soon be able to see how much of their food products is grown and made in Australia, after the federal government announced new labelling requirements. The country of origin labelling, which retains the existing green and gold kangaroo symbol, will detail what proportion of food is grown or packed in Australia, and may also include information such as the source of other ingredients. The food labels would be on shelves on a voluntary basis by the end of the year, and would be in place properly by mid-2016, Tony Abbott said. “This is something that Australians have wanted for a long time,” the prime minister said. The industry minister, Ian Macfarlane, told reporters on Tuesday the labelling was a “major milestone” for manufacturers and consumers. But the new rules come at a cost. Abbott estimated the labelling would cost Australian businesses $37m a year, and consumers could expect to fork out 1c more for every $5 they spent. “Consumers have said through the survey that they’re prepared to pay significantly more than that,” Macfarlane said. A government survey on country of origin labelling yielded nearly 18,000 respondents. Related: Tony Abbott pledges food labelling changes after hepatitis A outbreak The agriculture minister, Barnaby Joyce, said the labelling would have flow-on effects for the export trade. “Overseas, the Australian product sells because it is seen as clean and green,” he said. “So it’s not just our domestic market that wants this, it’s also overseas markets.” The industry group, Ausveg, said the new labelling system was a good first step, but that it ultimately fell short. “The proposed introduction of a diagram indicating the level of Australian and imported ingredients on products manufactured here will mean the only originating country outlined will be Australia,” deputy chief executive Andrew White said. “By not disclosing the countries of origin of key ingredients in products the federal government runs the risk of letting down the people of Australia, who want to know where the food they are eating has come from.” Country of origin labelling came to prominence after several people contracted hepatitis A, apparently from eating frozen berries packed in China. Abbott insisted the new labelling would not affect food safety standards, but would give consumers more information on the source of their produce. |