Pressure to reform Australia’s food labelling system has increased following the four new cases of hepatitis A, linked to frozen berries imported into New Zealand.
A Consultation Regulation Impact Statement regarding Australia’s Country of Origin Labelling system has now been released for public comment.
“Given the current situation in New Zealand and the similarities to what took place in Australia earlier this year, it’s more important than ever that Australia has effective Country of Origin Labelling,” said AUSVEG Deputy CEO Andrew White.
“All Australia’s reforms will do is introduce transparency into our labelling system so that consumers can make informed decisions about their food purchases.”
“The only producers who could possibly be hurt by this kind of reform are those who are importing dangerous produce from countries with lax food safety standards and want to hide this vital information from consumers.”
The new health scare has led to New Zealand’s opposition parties calling on the Government to introduce mandatory Country of Origin Labelling.
New Zealand currently only has voluntary labelling laws.
“It’s encouraging to see both the New Zealand Labour Party and the Green Party of New Zealand come forward and call for mandatory Country of Origin Labelling,” said White.
“Shoppers deserve to have this kind of information available to them in the supermarket aisle, and New Zealand’s statement to the Ministerial Forum goes against all principles of consumer rights.
“Transparent food labelling must apply equally to all countries, regardless of trading relationships, so that consumers get the information they want and sorely need.”
On a brighter note, a new range of Australian locally grown frozen berries were launched last week under the Matilda's brand.
The berry farmers behind Matilda's are using locally sourced packaging systems in the Yarra Valley, and their labelling offers complete transparency regarding the origin of the berries.
“We want the Matilda's brand to stand for honesty and integrity in food origin,” Ruth Gallace told PKN in July.
“At different times of the year, berries will be sourced from different local farms, and it is important to us that the consumer knows this,” she said.
The origin of the product will be completely transparent – labelled on each and every bag, with no part of the product, or process, occurring offshore.
To ensure transparency in the industry, the berry farmers behind Matilda's are using locally sourced packaging systems and providing detailed on-pack information about where the berries were grown.
