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NSW Government Media Release
Minister Steve Whan, Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Rural Affairs
NEW FAST FOOD LABELLING LAWS PASS THROUGH UPPER HOUSE
November 23, 2010
Minister for Primary Industries, Steve Whan, today welcomed the passage of new legislation to require all NSW major fast food retailers to display kilojoule information.
The new laws today passed through the Legislative Council and come into effect on February 1.
Any standard food outlet with 20 or more stores in NSW or 50 or more stores nationally will be required to comply.
Mr Whan introduced the legislation today and is expected to be passed in the Legislative Council (upper house) with support from the Coalition and Greens.
The plan is part of the NSW Government’s push to improve health and reduce obesity across the State.
This follows the Fast Food Forum hosted by Ms Keneally in August this year – co-chaired by former NSW Premier and healthy food advocate, Bob Carr, and Executive Director of the Sydney Business Chamber, Patricia Forsythe.
The Fast Food Forum brought together Government, industry, public health professionals and stakeholders to discuss food content and how to give consumers better nutritional information at the point of sale.
The new laws mean:
Businesses such as major fast food, bakery, coffee and doughnut chains will be required to clearly and legibly place the kilojoule content on their menu board as well as prominently featuring the average adult daily energy intake of 8700kj; and The kilojoule content must be adjacent to the price of the product and be at least the same size as the price of the product.
The new requirement will come into effect on 1 February 2011, with a 12 month implementation period.
“We were joined earlier this month by KFC and Pizza Hut Australia; McDonalds and other major industry bodies in announcing our intention to introduce this legislation,” Minister Whan said.
“This is a sensible plan and we have worked with the fast food sector to make it workable and achievable.”
Minister Whan said the new rules would establish a level playing field across traditional fast food chains as well as café and coffee chains, bakery chains, snack food chains, juice bars and ice cream chains.
“Any ‘healthy image’ conveyed by these businesses will have to be supported by genuine nutritional data.
“Similar models overseas – such as the United States and the United Kingdom – are beginning to demonstrate long term benefits to community health, including moves by the standard menu food retail industry to produce and market healthier product ranges.”
Read the full NSW Government Media Release:
MEDIA CONTACT: Garth Montgomery 9228 3800 or 0408 864 851 |
