FSANZ Seeks Comments on Simplification of Nutrition Information Panel

08 Dec 2014 --- Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is seeking comment on a recommendation to change the way that nutrition information is provided on food labels. Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said FSANZ had been asked by ministers responsible for food regulation to assess and provide advice on a recommendation made by an independent labelling review that the current requirement be simplified.

“The review recommended that the declaration in the nutrition information panel (NIP) of the amount of nutrients per serving not be mandatory unless a daily intake claim is made,” Mr McCutcheon said.
 
In the response to the Labelling Review, Ministers recognised that food labels are a finite space for providing information to consumers and that this recommendation aims to simply the requirements for consumers and industry.
 
Manufacturers are currently required to provide nutrient information in the NIP as both ‘per serving’ amounts and per 100 grams or 100 mls. The recommendation proposes that the only requirement should be to provide the amount per 100 grams or 100 mls, while still permitting manufacturers to provide ‘per serving’ information voluntarily.
 
“We are seeking comments and information from stakeholders to inform our assessment,” Mr McCutcheon said.
 
The closing date for submissions is 13 February 2015.