Food labels are a primary communication channel between the food industry and consumers. In Australia, the content and presentation of nutrition content claims and health claims on food labels and in food advertisements are regulated under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (FSANZ). Understanding these regulations helps consumers make informed choices and enables students to critically evaluate marketing messages.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is the independent government agency responsible for developing and administering food standards in Australia and New Zealand. Standard 1.2.7 (Nutrition, Health and Related Claims) governs all claims made on food labels and in advertising.
Nutrition content claims describe the level of a nutrient in a food using prescribed wording that must only be used when the food meets specific compositional criteria.
Examples of nutrition content claims:
| Claim | Criteria |
|---|---|
| “Low fat” | ≤3 g fat per 100 g (solid) or ≤1.5 g per 100 mL (liquid) |
| “Reduced fat” | At least 25% less fat than the reference food |
| “High fibre” | ≥4 g dietary fibre per serving |
| “Good source of calcium” | ≥25% of NRV (nutrient reference value) per serving |
| “No added sugar” | No added sugars; does not mean sugar-free |
| “Low sodium” | ≤120 mg sodium per 100 g |
| “Light” or “lite” | Must specify what has been reduced |
Important: These are minimum thresholds, not quality guarantees. A food can be “low fat” and still contain high amounts of sugar or salt.
Health claims describe a relationship between a food or nutrient and a health outcome. There are two subcategories:
The same standards apply to food advertising as food labels — claims in television, online, and print advertising must meet FSANZ criteria. Additional oversight comes from:
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC): Enforces consumer protection laws
- Advertising Standards Bureau: Manages complaints about misleading advertising
- Children’s marketing: Voluntary codes restrict advertising of discretionary foods to children
When reviewing a food label:
1. Check serving size — claims are often made per serving, which may be unrealistically small
2. Compare per 100g, not per serving, for like-for-like product comparisons
3. Look beyond front-of-pack claims — check the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP)
4. Identify claim type — is it a content claim or a health claim? What criteria does it meet?
5. Ingredient list order — ingredients listed first are present in the greatest quantity
KEY TAKEAWAY: Nutrition content claims and health claims on food labels are regulated by FSANZ Standard 1.2.7. Claims must meet specific compositional criteria and levels of evidence. Understanding these requirements helps consumers decode marketing language and make genuinely informed food choices.
VCAA FOCUS: You may be given a food label and asked to identify the type of claim, whether it is permissible under FSANZ, and whether it could mislead consumers. Practice reading NIP tables and identifying discrepancies between front-of-pack claims and the full nutritional profile.
EXAM TIP: “No added sugar” and “sugar free” are different claims with different meanings. “No added sugar” means no sugars have been added during manufacture — the food may still contain naturally occurring sugars. This distinction is commonly tested.
