PROPOSAL P262 – MINOR AMENDMENTS OMNIBUS TO VOLUME 2 OF THE
FOOD STANDARDS CODE NO.3
STANDARD 2.9.2 – FOODS FOR INFANTS EXEMPTION FROM MANDATORY
LABELLING OF SODIUM
09/03
21 May 2003
FIRST REVIEW
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC SUBMISSIONSto the Authority in relation to this |
Full Report [ pdf 221kb ]
Executive Summary and Statement of Reasons
Regulatory problem
The sodium content of infant foods is considered a public health issue. Standard 2.9.2 - Food For Infants of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) currently regulates the sodium content of infant foods to safe levels but does not require the inclusion of sodium in nutrition information labelling. The Australia New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council (the Ministerial Council) has asked Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to review whether sodium should be a mandatory inclusion in the nutrition information panel (NIP) of infant foods.
Objectives
The specific objectives of this First Review are to:
1. protect the health and safety of infants; and
2. provide adequate information to parents and carers of infants to enable them to make informed choices.
Options
There are 2 options proposed for consideration under this Review:
1. maintain the exemption to mandatory labelling of sodium on infant foods and clarify the regulation; or
2. amend Standard 2.9.2 in the Code to require the inclusion of sodium in the NIP of infant foods.
Impact analysis
The parties affected by this First Review are consumers (i.e. parents/carers), manufacturers and governments. FSANZ finds that there is no apparent material difference between the likely impacts of Option 1 and Option 2. The impact analysis finds both options protect the health and safety of infants and, given current practice by industry to voluntarily provide information, both options allow consumers to be adequately informed. However, Option 2 most closely delivers the specific objectives of this First Review as it guarantees the future provision of information and provides consistency with the nutrition information requirements for sodium applied to other packaged foods. The preferred option is therefore Option 2.
Consultation
FSANZ will conduct a single round of public consultation, having previously consulted on the labelling of the sodium content of infant foods through Proposal P215 – Review of Foods for Infants and Young Children in 1999-2000 and Proposal P262 – Minor Amendments Omnibus to Volume 2 of the Foods Standards Code in 2002.
Submitter comments will assist FSANZ in making a decision in relation to this First Review and notifying that decision to the Ministerial Council.
Conclusion and recommendation
Option 2 is the preferred option as it is more effective in meeting the specific objectives of this Review (see Section 7). Therefore, it is recommended that the proposed amendments (Attachment 1), incorporating a draft variation to Standard 2.9.2, which mandates the inclusion of sodium in the NIP of infant foods, be adopted into the Code for the following reasons:
- the health and safety of infants with regard to dietary sodium intake from infant foods is protected by the regulation of the sodium content of infant foods in Standard 2.9.2;
- consumers are guaranteed, both now and in the future, of being adequately informed about the sodium content of foods consumed by infants, through the mandatory declaration of this information by manufacturers of infant foods;
- mandating the inclusion of sodium in the NIP of infant foods is consistent with the nutrition information requirements for sodium of other packaged foods pursuant to Standard 1.2.8;
- the proposed amendment is not expected to significantly affect costs to the public, Government or industry; and
- the proposed amendment will reduce uncertainty for suppliers of infant foods, and clarify the regulation for enforcement purposes, resulting in increased compliance with the Code and greater confidence in the Australian and New Zealand food standards setting system.
Full Report [ pdf 221kb ]