New draft for health and related claims

The following is from a media release from Food Standards Australia New Zealand and is included with permission.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today called for submissions on a draft nutrition, health and related claims Standard.

FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said the proposed new standard would regulate voluntary statements made by manufacturers on labels about the nutrition content of a food, or a relationship between a food and health.

“There are two principal types of claims; nutrition content claims such as ‘low in fat’ or ‘source of calcium’, and health claims, which refer to a relationship between a food and health, such as calcium and bone health,” Mr McCutcheon said.

FSANZ is also seeking comment on the part of the proposal considering regulation of ‘fat free’ and ‘percentage fat free’ claims.

The proposal includes refinements to a previous draft standard, which was subject to public consultation in 2009. FSANZ has also considered issues arising from a Review of the draft Standard requested by the Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation.

FSANZ acknowledges there have been diverse stakeholder opinions about this complex proposal, but believes the draft standard strikes a balance between disparate views.

“FSANZ welcomes comments from government agencies, public health professionals, industry and the community on this draft of the proposed new standard,” Mr McCutcheon said.

Submissions close on 16 March 2012.

Media contact: 0401 714 265 (Australia) or email media@foodstandards.gov.au