July 23, 2015
Australian pork producers have welcomed new Australian food labels unveiled by the Federal Government earlier this week.
The labels, which will be introduced next year, show what percentage of a product is made from Australian ingredients.
The amount is depicted in an easy-to-read bar graph as well as in words.
However, stating the origin of a product’s main ingredient will be voluntary.
Australian pork producers have long argued that the current “Made In Australia” labels are misleading, particularly when they are placed on imported pork which has been processed in Australia into ham or bacon.
“We have had a significant problem that 70 per cent of ham and bacon consumed in Australian is made from imported pork,” Australian Pork Limited CEO Andrew Spencer told ABC Rural on Wednesday.
“But it all has a claim on it, with some variation, of ‘Made in Australia’.
“Consumers, when we ask them, believe that means it originates in Australia.
“The new system does not allow imported pork products made into bacon or ham, with a ‘Made in Australia’ claim on its own.
“That is a great step forward.
“If imported pork is cured sliced and packaged in Australia, it can have a green kangaroo label that says ‘Made in Australia from imported pork’.
“That is the truth and we cannot complain. At the moment, the consumers’ informed choice is not happening.”
- External link: Pig Farmers Welcome Origin Labelling (ABC Rural)
