Who should decide the guidelines on Food Labels?

[donnashuggy]

We have already been told many times over the years that for example coles and woollies do carry out tests

I think that has failed us

http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/feb/18/tony-abbott-says-no-to-tougher-food-tests-labe...

The current problem with the berries is known to have been a problem around the world for a few years yet it is still happening?

[donnashuggy]

It is hard work going shopping trying to read and find where something comes from

[ambercat16]

---

@lal-au0 wrote:

dick smith who harks on about australian stuff....well HIS vegemite is only "made in australia" unlike aussiemite which is "product of australia"

---

True - but a product also has to taste good.  I have tried several Dick Smith products and can't say I like the taste of any of them (jams are far too sweet, peanut butter very sweet also and odd consistancy, and his vegemite is horrid)

[bella_again]

Apparently a product only needs 50% or more Australian ingredients to be classified as Aussie made.  I read this the other day and was in shock.  So unless it says 100% Australian made on the label there is still no guarantee.

[katymatey*]

---

@donnashuggy wrote:

It is hard work going shopping trying to read and find where something comes from

---

I did that today, doubled my shopping time. I am confused though. Some things are product of Australia, that is clear enough. Others are labelled made in Australia, but when I read the label carefully there is nothing to say where the ingredients are from. That is just not good enough.

 I wanted some tomato paste. 500 gram jar was 1.29 in Aldi, two snack pack type containers were 1.79. Cheapest one made in China, dearest, product of Australia. Same brand, side by side on the shelf. No wonder ppl are calling for clearer labelling.

[bella_again]

Yep I found exactly the same problem when I was looking Katey.  Product of Australia in my limited understanding ,means made from imported and local ingredients.  Made in Australia from local ingredients is the aim. But having said that apparently they only need a minimum of 50% Australian produce or ingrediants  to make that claim (if the article I read was correct).  So I look for 100% Made in Australia from local or Australian ingredients. However they label it.

Either way its confusing, took me forever to shop lol! 🙂

[cherry*135]

Untangling the definitions

• “Product of Australia” means all the significant ingredients must originate here, and almost all the manufacturing or processing must be done in Australia.
  
  
• “Made in Australia”, “Australian Made” and “Manufactured in Australia” claims mean the product must be substantially “transformed” in Australia – it must have undergone a fundamental change in form, appearance or nature, such that the product existing after the change is new and different from the product beforehand – with at least 50% of production costs incurred here.
  
  
• All these claims come under the Trade Practices Act. Where you see these claims on products, the manufacturer must meet the COO test requirements of the legislation.
  
  

Australian Owned

The ACCC says:  

• A company claiming to be “Australian Owned” must prove that at least 51% of its ownership is held in Australia –
• Full local ownership is required if it claims to be “100% Australian owned”.

Until the ACCC took action in February 2010, Golden Circle was claiming to be “proudly Australian owned” for as long as one year after it was sold to foreign-owned Heinz.

Read more: http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/money/shopping-and-legal/shopping/made in australia.aspx#...

[bella_again]

Thanks Am3 every label I read with the Product of Australia said made from imported and local ingrediants. To me that is still too risky.  But its good to have some clarity its so confusing.  I wish it was all simpler!

[gleee58]

---

@bella_again wrote:

Yep I found exactly the same problem when I was looking Katey.  Product of Australia in my limited understanding ,means made from imported and local ingredients.  Made in Australia from local ingredients is the aim. But having said that apparently they only need a minimum of 50% Australian produce or ingrediants  to make that claim (if the article I read was correct).  So I look for 100% Made in Australia from local or Australian ingredients. However they label it.

Either way its confusing, took me forever to shop lol! 🙂

---

Product of Australia means it's Australian product.  Made in Aus can contain imported ingredients.

[nevynreally]

---

@village_person wrote:

If the gov't musters the courage to take on Woolies, Coles, and the importers of rubbish from overseas we might see positive changes. A possible law suit against one of the big supermarkets might go a long way to force change for the better.

---

It is not the fault of any supermarket, it is  the responsibility of the manufacturers/ or distributors of any product to indicate country of origin.

Supermarkets are the sellers of products. They make no claims of quality for their products. They just sell stuff off their shelves.

[gleee58]

‘Product of’ and ‘Grown in’

'Product of' and 'Grown in' means that each significant ingredient or part of the product originated in the country claimed and almost all of the production processes occurred in that country.

‘Product of’ is often used for processed food and ‘Grown in’ is mostly used for fresh food.

For example

• If ‘Product of Australia’ appears on a packet of smoked salmon, this means the salmon was both caught and smoked in Australia.
• If ‘Grown in Australia’ appears on an apple, it was grown in Australia.

https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/groceries/country-of-origin