Unlike traditional 1D barcodes that primarily identify a product, GS1-compliant 2D barcodes can store substantially more information within a single code. This enables manufacturers to encode details such as batch numbers and expiry dates while also linking consumers to digital product information including ingredients, allergen declarations, nutrition information, sustainability credentials and recycling guidance.

The GS1 barcodes are a multifunctional point of sale tool for retail to encode and achieve additional attributes for manufacturers to provide to their customers. It is important to recognise that mandatory declarations remain, including allergens, ingredient lists, nutrition information panels and date marking, which must continue to appear on the food label unless specific exemptions apply. Digital content should be viewed as complementary rather than a substitute for regulatory labelling requirements.

For businesses considering implementation, it is also important to note that GS1’s 2027 target is an industry ambition rather than a legislative deadline. Current guidance recommends that 2D barcodes be used alongside existing linear barcodes until point-of-sale systems are universally capable of scanning the new formats. Adoption is considered to grow progressively across the Australian retail sector.

As consumer demand for transparency continues to grow, the next-generation barcodes provide an opportunity for food businesses to strengthen product traceability, improve access to information and support transparency. While implementation is not yet mandatory, manufacturers should begin considering how their labelling, packaging and data management systems can support this emerging standard.

While 2D barcodes provide an effective way to deliver additional product information to consumers, businesses should ensure that any information accessed through a digital link is accurate, substantiated and consistent with on-pack labelling. The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code continues to require mandatory information to appear on the food label.

Contact us today to see how your digital content can serve as a complementary source of information to boost your brand and products.

A company’s supply chain emissions often account for the largest proportion of a food business’s carbon footprint and are becoming increasingly important under Australia’s evolving sustainability reporting requirements. The industry continues to invest in renewable energy, food waste reduction, sustainable packaging and supply chain collaboration to support national emissions reduction targets.

For grocery retailers, climate-related disruptions present challenges across the entire supply chain. Delays in transportation, reduced access to seasonal produce and changing growing conditions require businesses to strengthen supplier relationships, diversify sourcing strategies and improve contingency planning to maintain consistent supply for consumers.

In response, many organisations are investing in more resilient supply chains through supplier diversification, improved forecasting, renewable energy adoption, sustainable packaging initiatives and food waste reduction programs. Digital traceability systems and enhanced data collection are also supporting businesses in managing regulatory obligations while improving visibility across increasingly complex supply networks.

Europe has experienced a record-breaking heatwave, impacting the supply chain, population health, and government pressure. These recent events continue to lead the conversation globally in integrating climate objectives into food regulation. Through sustainable food system agendas, the EU is embedding environmental sustainability alongside food safety, consumer protection and agricultural policy.

These developments are influencing global supply chains, with many multinational food manufacturers aligning sustainability programs across all markets, including Australia. Food businesses should continue preparing for increasing climate-related reporting obligations, enhanced supplier engagement and emissions data collection, stronger expectations around sustainable sourcing and packaging, and greater scrutiny of environmental claims and sustainability credentials.

Businesses that actively strengthen environmental efforts, improve supply chain visibility and invest in credible reporting will be better positioned to meet future regulatory requirements while responding to growing customer and stakeholder expectations. Start a conversation with us today to see how you can lead the way in sustainability for your brand.

While the term “free-range” is widely recognised, businesses must ensure that claims made on-pack, online and through advertising are supported by evidence and do not create a misleading overall impression for consumers.

For eggs, the Free-Range labelling requirements that producers must meet include: Hens must have meaningful and regular access to an outdoor range during daylight hours, outdoor stocking densities must not exceed 10,000 hens per hectare, and the outdoor stocking density must be clearly declared on the packaging. This is highly spotlighted at the moment, with current Bird Flu cases found in Australia.

These requirements operate alongside the Australian Consumer Law, which prohibits businesses from making false or misleading representations about goods. Importantly, compliance is assessed on the overall impression conveyed to consumers, not simply whether the words “free-range” appear on the label.

Food businesses should consider all elements of product presentation when assessing compliance. Images of hens roaming freely through expansive green paddocks, statements suggesting unrestricted outdoor access, or marketing that overstates animal welfare practices may all contribute to a misleading representation if they do not accurately reflect how the product is produced.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has consistently reinforced that businesses must be able to substantiate not only explicit claims but also any implied messages conveyed through packaging, branding and advertising.

These cases reinforce an important compliance principle for businesses, with documentation and substantiation being essential. Businesses should maintain evidence demonstrating that production practices align with both regulatory requirements and consumer expectations created by marketing claims.

Regular reviews of claims on your pack, marketing materials and substantiation records can help minimise regulatory risk and ensure products remain accurate, transparent and compliant with both food regulatory requirements and Australian Consumer Law. MSAC is facilitated to ensure your claims and documentation are compliant in one place.

As with previous cell-cultured food applications, FSANZ has undertaken a comprehensive pre-market safety assessment, evaluating production methods and manufacturing controls, microbiological and chemical safety, nutritional composition, potential risks and dietary impact.

FSANZ’s preliminary assessment has concluded that, when produced in accordance with the proposed specifications, the ingredient does not raise public health or safety concerns and is suitable for inclusion in the Food Standards Code. The application is now open for public consultation before a final decision is made.

The commercial availability of cell-cultured foods in Australia remains limited, with the regulatory pathway becoming increasingly established. Food businesses developing, importing or considering future use of cultivated ingredients should monitor these applications closely, as each approval helps define the regulatory expectations for this emerging category.

Compliance considerations by businesses should ensure they are prepared to demonstrate robust evidence. This is achieved by supporting the safety of the ingredient through comprehensive documentation of manufacturing processes and quality controls, appropriate traceability throughout the production chain, compositional specifications and conditions of use.  

A key regulatory principle is that food labels must not be false, misleading or deceptive. This means businesses will need to ensure that product names and descriptions accurately reflect the nature and production method of cell-cultured foods, enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. This ensures consumers have accurate product descriptions and labelling that meet all applicable regulatory requirements.

FSANZ has included their application and provisions that must be applied. Division 2 of Standard 1.5.4 sets out the following general labelling requirements for cell-cultured foods: Section 1.5.4-5 applies to food for sale that has a cell-cultured food as an ingredient and requires that, for the labelling provisions in Standard 1.2.1, ‘information relating to cell-cultured food’ requires the use of either ‘cell-cultured’ or ‘cell-cultivated’ in conjunction with the name of the ingredient that is a cell-cultured food.

Interest in cultivated proteins continues to grow internationally, with regulators balancing innovation alongside consumer confidence and food safety. As additional applications are assessed, businesses should expect further guidance around regulatory expectations, product naming, labelling and market authorisation processes.

Get in touch with our regulatory team to see what this could mean for your brand and future production.