6.7 Label reading

For more information on label reading refer to website – www.foodstandards.gov.au or contact Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) on (02) 6271 2222.

Ingredient lists

All ingredients in packaged foods must be included on the label. They are listed in descending order by weight. All additives must also be listed by their chemical name, e.g., ‘colour (tartrazine)’; or by their specific number, e.g., ‘colour (l02)’. Water can be placed last as ‘water added’.

When reading labels, note the use of two or more similar ingredients. For example, a label may read ‘rolled oats, sugar, flour, glucose, honey ...’ At a glance, it appears that oats are the main ingredient. The use of three sugars – sugar (sucrose), glucose and honey – makes each look less prominent. However, these sugars combined could weigh more than the oats. The same applies to fats: e.g. ‘flour, animal and vegetable fat, butter ...’

In addition, it is possible to look for good sources of fibre in ingredient lists.

Other types of fat, sugar, salt and fibre that appear in ingredient lists are in Appendix C.

Nutrition information panels

Look for the nutrition information panel on the product for detailed information to help you decide whether the product is suitable.

Nutrition panels show the number of kilojoules and the amount of protein, fat, carbohydrate, etc. per serve and per 100 grams.

When comparing products a general rule of thumb is to look for products with less than 10 grams of fat per 100 grams of food and less than 3 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams. Also aim for products with much more total carbohydrate than sugars alone. If applicable look for a product which will give the most fibre per 100 grams of food. A low salt product generally has less than or equal to 120 mg per 100 grams of sodium.

 

Best before / use-by-date

Food with a shelf life of less than two years must be date marked with the prescribed statement ‘Best before’ unless the food needs to be eaten within a certain period for health or safety reasons. In this circumstance the prescribed statement ‘Use by’ date must be applied. Bread with a shelf life of less than seven days may be date marked with a ‘Baked on’, ‘Baked for’ or a ‘Best before’ date.

Foods that are date marked with a ‘Use by’ date are prohibited from being sold after this date. This is because the food may pose a health or safety risk if consumed after this date.

Foods that are date marked as ‘Best before’ can be sold after the date has passed, provided the food is otherwise fit for human consumption (Food Standards Australia New Zealand).

It's all in the name

Many people are confused by different names for similar products. However, these different names have a specific purpose. Under the Food Standard Australia and New Zealand codeif a food is called a certain name, it must meet specific minimum and / or maximum standards. This ensures uniformity and provides protection for consumers.

Characterising ingredient

All food labels need to state the percentage of the main food ingredient in that product, e.g. a meat pie must state the percentage of meat; jam must state the percentage of fruit.

top