CHOICE: Changes to country of origin labelling well overdue
CHOICE says the public debate on proposed changes to country of origin labelling is well overdue and should lead to reforms that meet consumers’ expectations.
CHOICE has told the Senate Committee hearings into country-of-origin labelling that consumers want clearer information about where their food comes from.
The consumer group has also welcomed the recognition from Australian Greens leader Christine Milne that any changes to the current labelling framework should retain claims about where products are manufactured.
“Our research shows that origin is a priority issue for consumers and it second only to the actual ingredients contained in the food,” says CHOICE food policy advisor Angela McDougall.
“We also know that, in the minds of consumers, where a food is manufactured is almost on a par with where it is grown.”
In its proposed reforms to country-of-origin labelling, CHOICE is calling for ‘local and imported ingredients’ type claims, which are known as qualified claims, to be prohibited, and has proposed a simple, three tier labelling food origin.
- ‘Product of Australia’ – a claim about where the ingredients are from and where they are processed
- ‘Manufactured in Australia’ – a high standard claim about where the food was manufactured
- ‘Packaged in Australia’ – a basic claim to accommodate products which by law have to carry an origin declaration.
“Providing an option for origin labelling about manufacturing as well as ingredients will help the two-thirds of consumers who want to support local jobs, as well as the three-quarterswho want to support Australia farmers,” says Ms McDougall.
“While labelling laws are complex, today’s debate sets an important platform for cutting through the confusion, and providing shoppers with the information they want.”
More on the Choice labelling campaign