This standard matters when the words on a packet, shelf ticket or product page tell customers where food comes from. The hard part is often not the label template. It is proving the facts behind the wording when ingredients, suppliers or processing locations change.
Main laws
Commonwealth Instrument
Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard 2016
The Country of Origin Food Labelling Information Standard affects food labels, product pages and Australian-origin claims.
In forceCommonwealthPlain-English guide5 practical checks
Plain-English explainers, not legal advice. Check the linked official source before you rely on a specific section, and get advice for your situation.
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Quick read
- Country-of-origin labelling is a packaging and product-page issue, not just a legal fine-print issue.
- A food business needs to work out where a product was grown, produced, made or packed, and whether Australian ingredient proportions need to be shown.
Likely relevant if
- Food manufacturers, importers and private-label brands
- Retailers selling packaged, unpackaged or fresh food
- Ecommerce food stores, meal-kit businesses and subscription food boxes
Check first
- Identify the correct origin category for each food product.
- Use country-of-origin labels and statements that match the product facts.
- Keep supplier and production records supporting origin and ingredient-percentage claims.
Start here
Key points
- Work out whether the food is grown, produced, made or packed in Australia.
- Check whether it is a priority food or non-priority food.
- Keep evidence for Australian ingredient percentages and origin claims.
- Review ecommerce product pages as carefully as packaging artwork.
Label review
Key points
- Confirm the product category before choosing a label statement.
- Check ingredient origins whenever suppliers or recipes change.
- Make sure the origin statement is legible and consistent across packaging, shelf labels and online listings.
- Ask whether any broader marketing claim gives a stronger Australian-origin impression than the legal label supports.
Plain-English glossary
- Priority food
- Food covered by the main country-of-origin labelling rules rather than a lower-disclosure category.
- Made in Australia
- A label concept that depends on processing and product facts, not just where the business is based.
- Australian ingredient proportion
- The percentage or average percentage of Australian ingredients that may need to be shown for some foods.
Common questions
Is this only for Australian-made products?
No. Imported foods, foods packed in Australia and foods made in Australia with mixed ingredients can each raise different labelling questions.
Does online food sales copy matter?
Yes. Product pages and advertising can still create misleading origin impressions even where the physical label is correct.
Can I rely on supplier wording?
Do not rely blindly. Keep supplier evidence, but check whether the wording fits your product, processing steps and sales channel.