All foods for retail sale or foods sold for catering purposes must be labelled except for:
- Food not in a package
- Food in an inner package not designed for sale and where the outer packaging shows the required information
- Food made and packaged on the premises from where it is sold
- Food packged in the presence of the purchaser
- Whole or cut fresh fruit and vegetables in packaging that does not obscure the nature or quality (does not include sprouted seeds or similar products)
- Food delivered packaged at the express order of the purchaser
- Food sold at a fundraising event
Where packaged food is exempt from the general labelling requirements information may still need to be displayed in connection with the food or privided to the purchaser on request.
What must appear
All required words, statements or expressions must be in the English language set out legibly and prominently and be in a distinct contrast to the background. Namely:
- The name of the food
- Premises and lot identification
- Business name and address
- Mandatory warning and advisory information
- Ingredient labelling
- Date mark
- Health and safety advice for consumers
- Nutrition information panel
- Characterising ingredient declaration (percentage labelling)
- Country of origin
What must not appear
A label must not include words, statements, claims, pictures or graphics that represent a food or its characteristics in a way that is false, misleading or deceptive. For example the labels on some foods with pictures or graphics suggesting how a food can be prepared may need to be accompanied by additional or qualifying information such as 'recipe', 'serving suggestion' or other statement to ensure the consumer is not misled about the contents of the package.
Except as permitted by the Code, the following health related claims are prohibited:
- Claims for therapeutic and prophylactic action or any similar claims
- Words, statements, claims and expressions which could be interpreted as advice of a medical nature from any person
- The word 'health' or any other similar words when used as part of, or in conjunction with the name of a food
- The name of, or any reference to any disease or physiological condition
