Country of origin labelling for fast food outlets

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud MP has written to fast food outlets inviting them to discuss voluntarily displaying country of origin information to tell consumers more about where their food comes from.

This is strongly supported by the horticulture peak industry body, AUSVEG.

From 1 July it will be mandatory for all food products sold in retail stores to include country of origin information. However, some food products, including food sold for immediate consumption at fast food outlets and cafes, are exempt.

Given access to the information and reasonable pricing it is known that consumers will choose locally grown food in preference to imported. However, if the country of origin information isn’t available consumers can’t express this preference and local producers miss out.

“The inconsistent, two-tiered approach to the new labelling is problematic for consumers, but if the fast food industry can get on board and agree to voluntarily display these labels on their food products, it would be a decisive affirmation of the right of Australian consumers to make more informed decisions about the food they buy,” said AUSVEG CEO James Whiteside.

“AUSVEG has been a vocal advocate for clearer country of origin labelling and we hope that the fast food industry, and other industries which will be exempt from mandatory labelling, adopt the labelling so that consumers are able to make more informed purchasing decisions.”