What the evidence showed

• Limited impact on consumer behaviour: Listing added sugars separately in the NIP was unlikely to change food choices beyond what current labelling already supports.
• Total sugars information already used: Consumers already use total sugars information to compare products and generally find it more useful than added sugars information.
• Risk of consumer confusion: Added sugars labelling could mislead or confuse consumers, reduce trust in food labelling and encourage choices that are not consistent with dietary guidelines.
• Disproportionate regulatory costs: Mandating added sugars labelling would impose substantial costs across the food system without clear evidence of proportional public health benefits.

What this means for food labelling

• No changes to current requirements: There are no changes to existing nutrition labelling requirements as a result of the decision to close Proposal P1058.
• Total sugars declaration remains: Food labels will continue to be required to declare total sugars in the NIP, which includes both naturally occurring and added sugars.
• Future support for healthy food choices: FSANZ is undertaking a proposal to consider whether to mandate the Health Star Rating (HSR) system. The HSR system provides consumers with a summary of the overall nutritional profile of packaged foods, including sugars.
• Ongoing monitoring and engagement: The Food Regulation Standing Committee will continue to consider how information about sugars could be provided to consumers, taking into account updated dietary guidelines when available.