Food Safety FAQs - Labelling
There are circumstances when food must be labelled to help inform the community about the foodstuffs contained in the package
A craft shop sells jams etc. for others - is it responsible and should the product have a NIP (Nutrition Information Panel)?
The proprietor is responsible to ensure that food sold by the shop is labelled in conformity with the Food Standards Code including the requirement for a NIP.
Do imported products have the same labelling requirements as locally produced food?
Yes. The labelling rules apply equally to all food whether locally made or imported.
Do I need a NIP if I am making jam or other foods at home?
If you are selling directly to the public the product must be labelled in accordance with the food labelling rules (including a NIP). If the food is donated to a fund-raising group or other business no sale has occurred and the jam is not covered by the labelling rules.
Do products made for a fundraising event (e.g. a street stall) need to be labelled?
A group selling food at a fundraising event is exempt from the labelling rules including the requirement for a NIP. The Department of Health website has a two-page guide on food labelling for charitable and community organisations. (See general note on exemptions below).
Do pies and pasties that have been prepacked on the premises where they were made need to be labelled?
No. Food made and packaged on the premises from where it is sold is exempt from the requirement for a label. (See general note on exemptions below).
Do pies, pasties and buns bought from a baker shop and sold at a different premise need to be labelled?
A general exemption for food labelling applies to the sale of unpackaged food or food packaged in the presence of the purchaser. (See general note on exemptions below).
A general note on exemptions for the labelling of food for sale:
Where an exemption applies there are circumstances where the law requires the seller to provide information about the foods sold, if asked by the purchaser. For example, if a purchaser asks whether a food contains a particular ingredient that may cause an allergic reaction, the person must be provided with this information.
