[Updated] Australia and New Zealand Change the Conditions for Making the Voluntary “No Added Sugar” Claims

Updated

On December 13, 2023, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) issued Amendment No. 224 to amend Schedule 4 Nutrition, health and related claims of the Food Standard Code, involving  changes to the conditions for making voluntary nutrition content claims about added sugars.

According to the amendment, the transition period begins on December 13, 2023, and lasts for 48 months. During this period, a food product can be sold if it complies with either the previous version of the Code or the updated version of the Code. After the transition period ends, a 24-month post-transition period begins. During this period, a food product that was packaged and labeled before the end of the transition period can still be sold if it complies with either the previous version of the Code or the updated version.

On November 17, 2023, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) announced the approval of P1062 Defining added sugars for claims, including changes to the conditions for making voluntary nutrition content claims about added sugars in food. After FSANZ's approval, food ministers will be notified of the approval. If they do not request FSANZ to review its approval in 60 days, the Food Standards Code will be amended to include the revised standard. The approved changes are to commence on gazettal with a four-year transition period granted by FSANZ.

Major contents

FSANZ has found evidence suggesting that consumers may be misled by “no added sugar” claims, especially when such claims are made on products with high total sugar content. To address this issue, FSANZ defines and clarifies “added sugar” to ensure clear and non-misleading claims.

Define “added sugar” for claim purposes

To make the "no added sugar(s)" claim non-misleading, "added sugar" is defined to mean the following derived from any source: 

• hexose monosaccharides and disaccharides;
  

• low energy hexose monosaccharide D-tagatose;

• starch hydrolysate;

• glucose syrup;

• maltodextrin and similar products;

• products derived at sugar refinery, including brown sugar, molasses, raw sugar, golden syrup, treacle;

• icing sugar;

• invert sugar;

• sugar and sugar syrups derived from plants;

• honey;

• malt;

• malt extracts;

• concentrated fruit juice;

• deionised fruit juice;

• concentrated vegetable juice;

• deionised vegetable juice.

It is important to note that concentrated fruit juice, concentrated vegetable juice, deionized fruit juice, and deionized vegetable juice are not considered "added sugar" when used in brewed soft drinks, formulated beverages, juice blends, fruit drinks, fruit juices, vegetable juices, and water-based beverages.

Clarify conditions for making “no added sugar” claims

FSANZ clarifies that “no added sugar” claims are not permitted under the following circumstances:

1. When a food is or contains an “added sugar” as defined;

2. When a food does not contain “added sugar” but contains more sugars (monosaccharides and disaccharides) than the prescribed limits as below:

• 10.0 g /100 g for solid food

• 7.5 g /100 mL for liquid food.

In addition to not containing “added sugar” as an added ingredient, the food product must not itself be classified as “added sugar” if it has “no added sugar” claims. For example, a jar of honey, which is itself considered 'added sugar,' cannot be labeled as having no added sugar.

For more consultation services, please contact us.