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In Australia, food products that are packaged to extend their shelf life must have a labelling declaration. All food labels must comply with the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) and labelling requirements must be included in a business's food safety program.

Not all foods require a label and the following foods do not require a label:

1. made and packaged on the premises from which it is sold; or
2. packaged in the presence of the purchaser; or
3. is whole or cut fresh fruit and vegetables (other than seed sprouts or similar products) in a package that does not obscure the nature or quality of the food; or
4. delivered packaged, and ready for consumption, at the express order of the purchaser (other than when the food is sold from a vending machine); or
5. sold at a fund-raising event; or
6. displayed in an assisted service display cabinet.

All food labels must have the following:

1. Name of the product – to describe the nature of the food;
2. Legibility – in clear English, text must be minimum 3mm high for large packages and 1.5mm for small packages;
3. Date marking – best before and use by date for foods that have a shelf life of less than 2 years;
4. Name and address of the supplier – includes the packer, manufacturer, vendor of importer of the food;
5. Country of origin – shows where the food was made or grown;
6. Ingredient listing and percentage declaration – listed in descending order, percentage of ingredients characterising the name of the product is declared;
7. Declaration of certain substances e.g. allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, sesame seeds, fish, crustacea, soy, lupin and wheat - must comply with Code Standard 1.2.3;
8. Directions for use and storage conditions – especially for perishable foods; and
9. Nutritional and health claims – comply with Standard 1.2.7

For further information on Shelf life and labelling:

Click here for the Shelf Life and Labelling for Meat Products PrimeNote

Click here for Standard 1.2.1 of the Code.