Food labeling requirements underscored when entering Aussie market

Compliance with food standards is a key factor for local food exporters interested to pursue the Australian food market, said Karen McInnes, an officer of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) during the 4th International Food Exhibition Philippines (IFEX) Symposium held recently.


This includes getting the label requirements right. Ms McInnes advised that labeling is the Australian importers responsibility and encouraged all food exporters to work closely with their Australian importers to cover all labeling requirements. “Truth in labeling is important.”

Ms McInnes said that 72% of imported food failures of food imported into Australia are due to labeling. The key elements in food labeling for Australia include product name, importer name and address (in Australia), country of origin, packing date, date marking, labeling in English, ingredients list, and nutritional claims.

Other labeling elements important in meeting Australian requirements are the nutrition information panel, directions for use and storage, mandatory warning and advisory statements, health claims, prohibited and restricted plants and fungi, pre-market clearance, and specific food product standards, explained Ms McInnes.

Based on statistics, top Philippine food exports to Australia include desiccated coconut, cereals, pineapple juice concentrates, and banana chips and crackers. In 2006, total Philippine food exports to Australia amounted to 24.9 million dollars.

According to Trade Assistant Secretary Fe Agoncillo-Reyes, global food consumption is generally affected by the rising consumer health consciousness, increasing demand for organic food and sugar-free products, increasing consumption of fresh food, and growing multicultural population. “These are opportunities that our food exporters should keep an eye on.”



The 4th IFEX Symposium is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry through its export promotions arm, Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) together with the Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) and the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) to educate exporters on food safety standards in key markets as well as update them on trends and opportunities in the global food market.

McInnes reported that the Philippines has a very high compliance with Australian standards when importing food into Australia and was encouraged by the desire by the Philippine exporters to improve.