Published
Energy labelling on packaged alcoholic beverages was approved to be mandated under a change to the Food Standards Code by the FSANZ Board.
If agreed by food ministers, the new standard will require energy content information to be presented on alcohol labels in a prescribed format, known as an energy statement.
The new requirements are designed to help consumers better manage their energy intake from alcohol and make informed choices in line with dietary guidelines.
The energy statement includes information most valued by Australian and New Zealand consumers in controlled testing. FSANZ research found an energy statement including energy content per serving, energy content per 100 mL, number of servings per package and number of standard drinks per serving best enables consumer understanding of energy content without negative unintended consequences.
Alongside energy labelling, the FSANZ Board approved a change to the Food Standards Code to clarify that nutrition content claims about sugar, a component of carbohydrate, can be made on food containing more than 1.15% alcohol by volume, including alcoholic beverages. The amendment provides greater regulatory certainty for government enforcement agencies and industry.
These decisions are backed by robust scientific evidence, peer-reviewed consumer research and stakeholder input.
Food ministers have 60 days to consider the decisions. If they do not request a review, the alcohol industry will have three years to transition to the new energy labelling requirements, with exemptions for stock-in-trade.