More pressure on ‘Australian made’ food labelling
The Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign (AMAG) believes it should be mandatory for all food products to carry a country of origin claim. In its submission to the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy AMAG also recommended the term ‘Made in Australia’ may only be used when the food product meets the full criteria set out in the Trade Practices Act.
AMAG also called for more stringent guidelines for country of origin claims so a food product which contains a high percentage of imported ingredients cannot legally be described as ‘Australian made’.
The Food Standards Code, which requires some foods such as pork and seafood to carry a country of origin label, while others such as beef and chicken are exempt, is inconsistent and confusing, AMAG Chief Executive Ian Harrison says.
“There are growing concerns among consumers about where their fresh and processed foods come from. They are anxious about how safe the food they are buying is,” Mr Harrison says.
“One of the primary purposes of food labelling is to provide consumers with enough information to enable them to make informed choices. Therefore, the rules should be consistent, clear and as simple as possible,” Mr Harrison says.
Under the Trade Practices Act a food product can legally be described as ‘Australian made’ if it has been substantially transformed in Australia and at least 50% of the production costs have been incurred in Australia. The ACCC’s country of origin guidelines allow a food product to carry a claim like ‘Made in Australia from local and imported ingredients’ if it doesn’t meet the full criteria.
“The term ‘Made in Australia’ should not be allowed to be used in a qualified claim such as ‘Made in Australia from local and imported ingredients’ as shoppers find this unclear. Food products which don’t meet the full criteria set out in the Trade Practices Act should be labelled with an alternative claim, for example ‘packaged in’ or ‘blended in’,” Mr Harrison says.
“Likewise, a food product should not be able to carry the ‘Australian made’ claim when it contains mainly imported ingredients which have simply been mixed or blended, seasoned, cured or homogenised here. Processes such as these should not be classed substantial transformation.”
“We are in the process of amending the AMAG Code of Practice to exclude these processes from the definition of substantial transformation so when consumers see the AMAG logo they can be sure the major or characterising ingredient has been sourced locally and the product made or grown here.”
Logos are becoming meaningless in a world that demands facts not fiction what is required is a statement of facts that enables any person at the point of sale/purchase to determine the truth with regard to any items Country of Origin inputs.
The terms “Australian Made” and “Australian Owned” do not reveal the actual level of Australian inputs and are in fact, quite Un-Australian in their usage requirements. To remedy this problem an “Australian Authenticity Logo” has been unveiled. Visit http://www.ozcompliance.com.au to see what is behind the labels and logos such as Australian Made.
Oz Compliance makes a qualified statement as to the Australian level of inputs for Content, Ownership, Manufacture and its Packed Status. Truth in labelling has a name – Oz COMPliance.
Consumers have the right to know where their Food and Goods come from. Without Oz Compliance they cannot make an informed choice, regardless if it is a health choice, a cost choice, a patriotic choice or one of principle.
OzCOMPliance provides a reasonable basis upon which to compare any two items. It is a means of comparison that gives a truthful impression which in itself, makes it unlike any other Country of Origin label (COOL) or similar “Trust Mark” that we are all familiar with.
By looking for the OzCOMPliance Logo, you can see for yourself just how much of any item is actually Australian by the stated percentage scores for Content, Owned, Made and Packed.
Truth, however disenchanting is better than falsehood, however comforting. -Schweitzer
Supermarkets; State and Federal Politicians need to start ACTING instead of sitting back and doing nothing to help our country and help consumers buy Australian made, owned and produced.
The food labelling is far from clear! Supermarkets also have a role and should also step up and promote Australian made goods in their stores with clear and highly visible adversting in the isles and on their shelves and having more Australian made; owned; packed and produced products on their shelves.
Even toilet paper is made from local and imported ingredients!!! What is local and what is imported? How much is local and how much is imported and where is it imported from??
Labelling is far from clear – if a company is Australian owned are their ingredients all Australian and if not what is not and what is – what is imported and where is it imported from?
Home brand chicken in tins – sounds digusting and it is as the chicken is from overseas china!
We also should not be stopping at food labelling but at laws for supermarkets and those who sell food (in cans or fresh or frozen) to have at least an 80% of Australian owned, produced, and manufactured in Australia!!
We should also be taking things even further to protect our nation and our economy and restrict companies from taking manufacturing off shore and keeping quality of the produce and quality in Australia as well as giving Australians jobs and building the economy.
But wait, yes there is more but without the free steak knives – what is the government doing about the quarantine laws for overseas produce coming into our country???? Why are there more checklists for Australian produce and less for overseas products????
We as the public need to speak up; we need to see that yes we do have a voice and we can make a difference – like the latest mcdonalds add – yes those that complain can influence change and make a difference – we need to do it loudly and respectfully and with factuall evidence and speak up!
I went to target to get a woolen underlay for my water bed and was amazed yes they promoted Australian wool but where was it manufactured and produced – China!!!
If our government doesn’t protect and put in laws to protect and promote Australian products and ensure that Australian produce is made and manufactured in Australia with Australian ingredients and protect and keep our Australian assets in Australia then who knows what the future will hold.
Question – If something isn’t done – How much of Australia will be owned and still continue to be Australian? How much of Australia and our assets are owned by China and Asian Countries? Are we to be under an Asian style government and life style in the future ???
Start to act now!! Speak up, let your voice be heard and hold our governement accountalbe and ensure they change the laws and implent the necessary laws, standards and guidelines to protect our nation and our health and well being. j
Take action and advocate for your own health and safety – there is no pricetag you can put on health and the value of our existance.!!!
Food labelling is confusing enough when working out the nutritional value and clearer labelling and accurate userfriendly easy to read labelling should be reformed.
Riccadonna Asti Spumante
is the most popular australian imported wine.
is there ANYTHING that tastes CLOSE to it?????