FoodLegal

By John Thisgaard, Jenny Awad (FoodLegal Bulletin Co-Editors) and Joe Lederman (FoodLegal Chairperson and Co-Editor)

Welcome to the September 2023 edition of FoodLegal Bulletin!

1.    Connect with FoodLegal

Connect with FoodLegal on LinkedIn to ensure that you never miss an update!

2.    Food Labelling 101 Full Day Workshop – Thursday 19 October 2023 

FoodLegal is excited to offer our popular full day Food Labelling 101 as a hybrid event.

You can register to attend in person at the venue (Melbourne CBD, catering provided) or online. In-person numbers are limited.

We will dive into the fundamentals of food labelling and how to ensure your food product is compliant for import or sale in Australia and New Zealand. We will help you answer questions such as:

·         What information MUST appear on your food label?

·         How do you write an ingredients list?

·         What is the difference between food additives and processing aids?

·         When can pictures or brand names get you into trouble?

·         How should allergens be declared on a label?

Book here.

3.    In this September 2023 edition of FoodLegal Bulletin

In this FoodLegal Bulletin, our FREE article “Current developments in food law and policy in Australia and internationally” updates the latest in regulatory developments and news.

In our FREE article “Marketing implications arising from the FSANZ review into sports foods” we address FSANZ’s review of the regulations relating to formulated supplementary sports foods, with a particular focus on the marketing and advertising of these products.

In “Do food regulators have the right to force a change of brand name?", we explore some of the important regulatory compliance risk issues that food businesses must consider when developing and applying a brand name for a product, and the question of whether or when a food regulator has powers to force a change of brand name. 

In "When do oats in food not need to be bolded on an ingredients list under PEAL?”, we explain the interaction between gluten and oats under the PEAL laws, as well as the important differences between declaring gluten as an allergen and making a voluntary ‘gluten free’ claim.

In “Scientific background to definition of ‘genetically modified’”, we identify differences in regulatory definitions that may impact food labelling requirements in the context of GMO food labelling, including differences in definitions between the Food Standards Code, the Gene Technology Act, as well as under international laws. This article also considers different types of genetic-related technologies and whether these are included or excluded in the relevant definitions.

In "Regulatory issues for sellers of recycled goods and second-hand goods", we address the difficulties that impact on businesses engaging in the ‘Circular Economy’ in relation to guarantees that must be given even when products are sourced as recycled or second-hand.

We hope you enjoy this September 2023 edition of FoodLegal Bulletin!

John Thisgaard, Jenny Awad and Joe Lederman

Editors
FoodLegal Bulletin

This is general information rather than legal advice and is current as of 11 Sep 2023. We recommend you seek legal advice for your specific circumstances before making any commercial decisions.