FSANZ propose amendment of minimum age labelling on infant foods
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions on a proposal to amend minimum age labelling requirements for infant foods from “four months” to “around six months”.
FSANZ said the proposed change would align the Food Standards Code with National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and New Zealand infant feeding guidelines.
“A shortened form of the current warning statement of ‘not before four months’ will continue to reflect the recommendation that solid foods should not be introduced before four months of age,” said Steve McCutcheon, FSANZ Chief Executive Officer. “This change will ensure consumers are provided with consistent advice,” he said.
Additionally, FSANZ is proposing to provide a definition of a ‘first food’, as well as require the minimum age to be placed on the front of an infant food.
Food manufacturers would have a three-year transition period to introduce the labelling changes.
The period for comment on the proposed changes closes 12 November 2013.
