Regulation of Food Labelling in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

This chapter describes the common arrangements between Australia, and New Zealand concerning food standards. The Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 establishes the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) as an independent statutory authority with responsibility for developing food standards. Pursuant to this legislation a common “Food Standards Code” (the Code) has been agreed. Also described is the review of food labelling law and policy undertaken by the two countries in 2009–2010 which prioritised health concerns as the primary driver of food policy. The chapter concludes with a review of the principal food law cases which have been decided in Australia and New Zealand over the past 10 years.