Food packaging
August 25th 2009 03:44
This week Ive been asked about what can and cant be put on food packaging in New Zealand. If you find this sort of thing interesting, then please read on.
In New Zealand, food manufacturers can make nutrition claims relating to polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fatty acid, omega fatty acid, low joule (energy), lactose, gluten and salt, sodium or potassium content in foods. They can also make vitamin and mineral content claims, including claims that a food is a good source of a vitamin or mineral.
Food manufacturers cannot make health claims. However, there is one exception, they can claim that the maternal consumption of folate reduces the risk of neural tube defects in developing foetuses.
In New Zealand its illegal for food manufacturers to mislead and deceive customers, and to make false representations about their food products. In general, advertising on food packages should not make claims about the following:
that the food is for slimming or has intrinsic weight reducing properties
that the food has therapeutic action
Food packaging cannot contain the word health or words of a similar meaning; information that could be interpreted as advice of a medical nature; and the name of, or a reference to, any disease or physiological condition.
In New Zealand, food labels must contain certain pieces of information. However, there are a few foods that are exempt from this rule. In New Zealand a food label must be in English (other languages can be used in addition to English, as long as they do not contradict the information).
Food labels should include some or all of the following information, depending on the product:
the name of the food
lot identification
name and address of supplier and business
mandatory warning statements, advisory statements and declarations for certain ingredients (e.g. allergens)
ingredient list
food additives
date marking
directions for use and storage
Nutrition Information Panel (which should state, the ingredients, allergens, cooking requirements, and use-by dates as well as other relevant information)
percentage labelling of characterising ingredient
net weight or volume.
However, there are some foods that do not need complete food labels. Complete food labels are not required for the following types of foods:
food made and packaged on the premises from which it is sold
food packaged in the presence of the purchaser
ready-to-eat delivered food
whole or cut fresh fruit and vegetables in transparent packages
food sold at a fundraising event
food not in a package
food in an inner package not designed for sale without the outer package.
Specific health and safety information about some food products must be given to consumers even when a complete label is not required (for example if the product contains caffeine and allergens).
So if you think that advertising on food packaging is misleading, that information is missing or incorrect then get in touch with NZFSA. The NZFSA phone toll-free helpline is 0800 693 721.
If you have any questions then please email me at nutrition.advice@gmail.com or leave your question here.
Krissi
* Adapted from New Zealand Food and Safety website.
In New Zealand, food manufacturers can make nutrition claims relating to polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fatty acid, omega fatty acid, low joule (energy), lactose, gluten and salt, sodium or potassium content in foods. They can also make vitamin and mineral content claims, including claims that a food is a good source of a vitamin or mineral.
Food manufacturers cannot make health claims. However, there is one exception, they can claim that the maternal consumption of folate reduces the risk of neural tube defects in developing foetuses.
In New Zealand its illegal for food manufacturers to mislead and deceive customers, and to make false representations about their food products. In general, advertising on food packages should not make claims about the following:
that the food is for slimming or has intrinsic weight reducing properties
that the food has therapeutic action
Food packaging cannot contain the word health or words of a similar meaning; information that could be interpreted as advice of a medical nature; and the name of, or a reference to, any disease or physiological condition.
In New Zealand, food labels must contain certain pieces of information. However, there are a few foods that are exempt from this rule. In New Zealand a food label must be in English (other languages can be used in addition to English, as long as they do not contradict the information).
Food labels should include some or all of the following information, depending on the product:
the name of the food
lot identification
name and address of supplier and business
ingredient list
food additives
date marking
directions for use and storage
Nutrition Information Panel (which should state, the ingredients, allergens, cooking requirements, and use-by dates as well as other relevant information)
percentage labelling of characterising ingredient
net weight or volume.
However, there are some foods that do not need complete food labels. Complete food labels are not required for the following types of foods:
food made and packaged on the premises from which it is sold
food packaged in the presence of the purchaser
ready-to-eat delivered food
whole or cut fresh fruit and vegetables in transparent packages
food sold at a fundraising event
food not in a package
food in an inner package not designed for sale without the outer package.
Specific health and safety information about some food products must be given to consumers even when a complete label is not required (for example if the product contains caffeine and allergens).
So if you think that advertising on food packaging is misleading, that information is missing or incorrect then get in touch with NZFSA. The NZFSA phone toll-free helpline is 0800 693 721.
If you have any questions then please email me at nutrition.advice@gmail.com or leave your question here.
Krissi
* Adapted from New Zealand Food and Safety website.
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