Food Regulation Standing Committee Consultation: Policy guideline on information requirements for prepackaged food sold online

In July 2025, the Food Ministers’ Meeting agreed to the following problem statement regarding information for food sold online. This is based on the evidence summarised in this paper.

Problem statement

Consumers shopping for food online that is required to bear a label in Australia and New Zealand do not have consistent access to the same information as those shopping at a physical store. This is inconsistent with guidance from Codex Alimentarius and may limit the ability of consumers to make safe and informed choices when shopping for these foods online.

Consumers not having access to nutrition labelling information when shopping online was raised as a concern by submitters to FSANZ’s 2025 call for information on nutrition labelling. There is no policy guideline in Australia or New Zealand on what information should be provided by sellers when food required to bear a label is sold online to inform FSANZ’s consideration.

Desired outcome 

Based on this agreed problem statement the following desired outcome is proposed:

Clarity on the information Australia and New Zealand Food Ministers expect to be provided for online retail sale of food required to bear a label. Consumers purchasing food in an online retail environment should have access to necessary information to make safe and informed purchasing decisions. Generally, this includes the mandatory food labelling information. These outlined expectations will be considered by FSANZ to inform any future information requirements for food sold online in the trans-Tasmna Food Regulation System.