Food Labelling Act

Question 1

Information on food labels help

Answer 1

Protect consumers
Give information about the product
Help with healthy food choices

Question 2

Format of a food label

Answer 2

Information must be in English and one other language
Visible and easy to read
Attached to the container

Question 3

Information that must be on a food label

Answer 3

Product name (description of the product if name doesnt describe it)
Image must not mislead
Ingredients must be listed in descending order
Colourings must be lsited according to E numbers
Tartrazine must be listed by name (allergies)
MSG must be listed
Preservatives must be listed by chemical names
Water must be listed (unless less than 5%)
Allergens must be listed
Vitamins and minerals do not have to be listed if less than 2%
Instructions for use/preparation
Storage instructions
Net content (mass, volume, serving size)
Nutritional information must be in a table format
In kilojoules
Mass/volume of a single serving
Total fat, protein, carbohydrate, fibre content
Include QUID (Quantitative Ingredient Declaration)
Must specify if irritated
Logo
Warning if pressurised
Name and address of manufacturer
Date of manufacturing
Best Before Date
Sell By Date
Use By Date
Country of origin
Batch number
Client services helpline
Barcode/price
Nutritional claims must be according to regulations
Less than 3g of fat has to be labelled as low fat

Question 4

Misleading claims on food labels

Answer 4

Legislation regarding food labelling
Providing facts
Avoid confusion through words/implications
Provide information
References to the Department of Health
Anything that the product is supported by health professionals
Organisations, associations, foundations that havent been approved by the Department of Health
Invalid endorsement regarding the nutritional or safety properties of the product
Words “healthy”, “health”, “wholesome” etc that imply health giving properties
“Complete” or “balanced” that imply the product balances nutrition
Medical claims
Wild fish has to be qualified
Can’t claim Vitamin C if added as an antioxidant
Claim an ingredient is contained that is not in the packaging
“No sugar added” if sugar is added
Claiming the product is healthier, additive free or free range, unless registered by law
Words (fresh, natural, quality, selected) that dont comply with legal legislation
Frozen food that has been defrosted cant be called fresh