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?

[gleee58]

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@nevynreally wrote:

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@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.

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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.

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Supermarkets do claim to have quality products and they do inspect the premises of their producers and suppliers.  They have their own set of standards for producers to comply with.

[cherry*135]

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@bella_again wrote:

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!

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Yes it is too confusing, has annoyed me for a long time. 

Product of Australia said made from imported and local ingrediants. - Yes that doesn't tell us anything.. could be 1 Australian grown raspberry and the rest from the 'unknown' overseas country/ies.

Supermarkets are giving more shelf space to their own home brand labelled products.... most imported.. less space for Aust grown produce on the shelves.

Australian producers have to compete with the lower priced imported produce.. so I do think supermarkets have played a big part in diminishing our choices for those who prefer Australian grown produce. The supermarkets sell what ever makes them the most earnings.

[gleee58]

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@am*3 wrote:

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@bella_again wrote:

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!

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Yes it is too confusing, has annoyed me for a long time. 

Product of Australia said made from imported and local ingrediants. - Yes that doesn't tell us anything.. could be 1 Australian grown raspberry and the rest from the 'unknown' overseas country/ies.

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Product of Australia is a more strict label than made in Australia.  Made in Aus only has to be about 50% while product of has to be almost entirely Australian.

[nevynreally]

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@gleee58 wrote:

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@nevynreally wrote:

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@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.

---

Supermarkets do claim to have quality products and they do inspect the premises of their producers and suppliers.  They have their own set of standards for producers to comply with.

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But, to the public, it's the name on the brand that has the say so, they package it, they're after their profit. What the Supermarkets want are irrelevant in the big picture. Consumers buy on branding, on lables, what the supermarkets want us to buy is really irrelevant, well, they think they're relevant, they're not. For most consumers, it's about where it comes from or price. Price is clearly available to all, information about where products come from, not so much. They don't get the collective "we" are much more aware now. A lot of us want "local" product. Show us where that is. 

[nevynreally]

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@am*3 wrote:

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@bella_again wrote:

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!

---

Yes it is too confusing, has annoyed me for a long time. 

Product of Australia said made from imported and local ingrediants. - Yes that doesn't tell us anything.. could be 1 Australian grown raspberry and the rest from the 'unknown' overseas country/ies.

Supermarkets are giving more shelf space to their own home brand labelled products.... most imported.. less space for Aust grown produce on the shelves.

Australian producers have to compete with the lower priced imported produce.. so I do think supermarkets have played a big part in diminishing our choices for those who prefer Australian grown produce. The supermarkets sell what ever makes them the most earnings.

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You're not getting that that is because it's what research has showed that's what people want. They want cheap, while paying lip service to buying "australian".

[gleee58]

The supermarkets are competing with the other brands. They have their own ranges of labels and they go through the same processes as all the other producers.  They are ruthless and will squeeze out those who don't play along with their demands.  They were trying to mimic Tesco and Aldi.  Not sure if they're still on that track or not.   Coles have woken up a bit to the fact that consumers want Aus product in the fresh and frozen food lines but are lagging in other areas. 

[nevynreally]

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@gleee58 wrote:

The supermarkets are competing with the other brands. They have their own ranges of labels and they go through the same processes as all the other producers.  They are ruthless and will squeeze out those who don't play along with their demands.  They were trying to mimic Tesco and Aldi.  Not sure if they're still on that track or not.   Coles have woken up a bit to the fact that consumers want Aus product in the fresh and frozen food lines but are lagging in other areas. 

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Not really, they offer cheaper, inferior versions of top brands. Made by top brands. Been that way way before Aldi and Costco. They have no say in Australian content though, that is a manufacturing decision.

[bella_again]

Thanks for that Glee you made me google some more.  I do have a question though.  So the ingredients label is different again??  I don't get the Product of Australia but made from local and imported ingredients as opposed to 100% Australian made from Australian ingredients.

For those of us trying to grasp it can you clarify?

[cherry*135]

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@nevynreally wrote:

---

@am*3 wrote:

---

@bella_again wrote:

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!

---

Yes it is too confusing, has annoyed me for a long time. 

Product of Australia said made from imported and local ingrediants. - Yes that doesn't tell us anything.. could be 1 Australian grown raspberry and the rest from the 'unknown' overseas country/ies.

Supermarkets are giving more shelf space to their own home brand labelled products.... most imported.. less space for Aust grown produce on the shelves.

Australian producers have to compete with the lower priced imported produce.. so I do think supermarkets have played a big part in diminishing our choices for those who prefer Australian grown produce. The supermarkets sell what ever makes them the most earnings.

---

You're not getting that that is because it's what research has showed that's what people want. They want cheap, while paying lip service to buying "australian".

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Your opinion only.

There are low income families that have to buy 'cheap' prodcuts (no matter where they are made/produced) because  they don't have any choice (can't afford to pay anymore). They aren't paying 'lip service' to anything.

[gleee58]

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@bella_again wrote:

Thanks for that Glee you made me google some more.  I do have a question though.  So the ingredients label is different again??  I don't get the Product of Australia but made from local and imported ingredients as opposed to 100% Australian made from Australian ingredients.

For those of us trying to grasp it can you clarify?

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Made in Australia has the 50% requirement. 

Product of should contain Australian product not imported ingredients.  Sorry, I don't have access to the fine details but I think the only exception is when the product is out of stock and season in Australia so enough is imported to fill the gap but it's only allowed to be a small percentage of the overall product.