{"id":"F2015L00392","name":"Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 1.2.4 – Information requirements – statement of ingredients","slug":"australia-new-zealand-food-standards-code-standard-1-2-4-information-requirements-statement-of-ingre","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":92955,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2015L00392-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 1.2.4 – Information requirements – statement of ingredients","content":"Standard 1.2.4 Information requirements – statement of ingredients\n\nNote 1 This instrument is a standard under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth). The standards together make up the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. See also section 1.1.1—3.\n\nNote 2 The provisions of the Code that apply in New Zealand are incorporated in, or adopted under, the Food Act 2014 (NZ). See also section 1.1.1—3.\n\n1.2.4—1 Name\n\nThis Standard is Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 1.2.4 – Information requirements – statement of ingredients.\n\nNote Commencement: \nThis Standard commences on 1 March 2016, being the date specified as the commencement date in notices in the Gazette and the New Zealand Gazette under section 92 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth). See also section 93 of that Act.\n\n1.2.4—2 Requirement for statement of ingredients\n\n(1) In this Code, a statement of ingredients for a food for sale is a statement of ingredients that complies with this Code.\n\n(2) To avoid doubt, if:\n\n(a) the label lists the name of the food in accordance with paragraph 1.2.1—8(1)(a); and\n\n(b) a statement of ingredients that complies with this Standard would list only the name of the food in accordance with paragraph 1.2.1—8(1)(a);\n\nthe label is taken to contain a statement of ingredients.\n\n(3) For the labelling provisions, a requirement for a statement of ingredients does not apply to:\n\n(a) water that is packaged and labelled in accordance with Standard 2.6.2; or\n\n(b) a \\*standardised alcoholic beverage; or\n\n(c) a food for sale that is contained in a \\*small package.\n\nNote 1 The labelling provisions are set out in Standard 1.2.1.\n\nNote 2 Despite subsection (3), the presence of some ingredients must be declared—see Standard 1.2.3.\n\n1.2.4—3 Requirement to list all ingredients\n\n(1) Subject to subsection (2), a statement of ingredients must list each ingredient in the food for sale.\n\n(2) A statement of ingredients need not list:\n\n(a) an ingredient of a \\*flavouring substance; or\n\nNote Despite paragraph (a), subsection 1.2.4—7(5) and 1.2.4—7(6) require some ingredients of flavouring substances to be specifically declared or listed in the statement of ingredients.\n\n(b) a volatile ingredient which is completely removed during processing; or\n\n(c) added water that:\n\n (i) is added to reconstitute dehydrated or concentrated ingredients; or\n (ii) forms part of broth, brine or syrup that is declared in the statement of ingredients or is part of the name of the food; or\n (iii) constitutes less than 5% of the food; or\n\n(d) a substance that is \\*used as a processing aid in accordance with Standard 1.3.3; or\n\n(e) a food that is used as a processing aid.\n\n1.2.4—4 Ingredients to be listed by common, descriptive or generic name\n\nSubject to Division 3 of Standard 1.2.3, a statement of ingredients must identify each ingredient:\n\n(a) in the case of offal—in accordance with section 2.2.1—6; or\n\n(b) in any other case, using any of:\n\n (i) a name by which the ingredient is commonly known; or\n (ii) a name that describes the true nature of the ingredient; or\n (iii) a generic name for the ingredient that is specified in Schedule 10, in accordance with any conditions specified in that Schedule.\n\n Note Division 3 of Standard 1.2.3 provides for mandatory declarations of certain foods, including by declarations in a statement of ingredients.\n\n1.2.4—5 Ingredients to be listed in descending order of ingoing weight\n\n(1) A statement of ingredients must list each ingredient in descending order of ingoing weight.\n\n(2) The ingoing weight of an ingredient may be determined in accordance with its weight before dehydration or concentration, if the ingredient:\n\n(a) is a dehydrated or concentrated ingredient; and\n\n(b) is reconstituted during preparation, manufacture or handling of the food.\n\n(3) Despite subsection (1), if a food is represented as one that is to be reconstituted in accordance with directions:\n\n(a) the ingredients may be listed in descending order of their weight in the reconstituted food; and\n\n(b) if the ingredients are listed on this basis, this must be made clear on the label.\n\n(4) For subsection (1), the ingoing weight of water, or of a volatile ingredient, IW, must be calculated in accordance with the following equation:\n\n![This image shows the formula for calculating the ingoing weight of water or IW. The formula components X and Y are defined below.](image.001.jpeg)\n\nwhere:\n\nX is the weight of the water or volatile ingredient that is added to the food.\n\nY is the sum of:\n\n(a) the weight of any water or volatile ingredient that is removed; and\n\n(b) the weight of any water or volatile ingredient that is used for reconstitution of dehydrated or concentrated ingredients;\n\nduring preparation, manufacture or handling of the food.\n\n(5) A \\*compound ingredient must be listed in a statement of ingredients by listing, in accordance with subsection (1):\n\n(a) the compound ingredient by name as an ingredient of the food for sale, in accordance with subsection (6); or\n\n(b) each ingredient of the compound ingredient individually as an ingredient of the food for sale.\n\n(6) If a \\*compound ingredient is listed in accordance with paragraph (5)(a), it must be followed by a list, in brackets, of:\n\n(a) if the compound ingredient comprises 5% or more of the food for sale—all ingredients that make up the compound ingredient; or\n\n(b) if the compound ingredient comprises less than 5% of the food for sale—the following ingredients:\n\n(i) any ingredient of the compound ingredient that is required to be listed in accordance with section 1.2.3—4 or section 1.5.2—4; and\n\n(ii) any substance \\*used as a food additive in the compound ingredient which performs a technological purpose in the food for sale.\n\n(7) Paragraph (5)(a) does not apply to food for infants.\n\nNote See Standard 2.9.2.\n\n(8) Despite subsection (6), the ingredients of a \\*standardised alcoholic beverage do not need to be listed in a statement of ingredients if the alcoholic beverage has been listed as an ingredient of the food for sale.\n\n1.2.4—6 Declaration of alternative ingredients\n\nIf the composition of a food for sale is subject to minor variations by the substitution of an ingredient which performs a similar function, the statement of ingredients may list both ingredients in a way which makes it clear that alternative or substitute ingredients are being declared.\n\n1.2.4—7 Declaration of substances used as food additives\n\n(1) A substance (including a vitamin or mineral) \\*used as a food additive must be listed in a statement of ingredients by specifying:\n\n(a) if the substance can be classified into a class of additives listed in Schedule 7 (whether prescribed or optional)—that class name, followed in brackets by the name or \\*code number of the substance as indicated in Schedule 8; or\n\n(b) otherwise—the name of the substance as indicated in Schedule 8.\n\n(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), if the substance can be classified into more than 1 class, the most appropriate class name must be used.\n\n(3) Despite paragraph (1)(a), if the substance is an enzyme:\n\n(a) it may be listed as ‘enzyme’; and\n\n(b) the specific name of the enzyme need not be listed.\n\n(4) If a \\*flavouring substance is an ingredient, it must be listed in the statement of ingredients by using:\n\n(a) the word ‘flavouring’ or ‘flavour’; or\n\n(b) a more specific name or description of the flavouring substance.\n\n(5) If any of the following substances are added to a food for sale as a \\*flavouring substance or as an ingredient of a flavouring substance, the name of the substance must be specifically declared in accordance with subsection (1):\n\n(a) L-glutamic acid;\n\n(b) monosodium glutamate;\n\n(c) monopotassium L-glutamate;\n\n(d) calcium di-L-glutamate;\n\n(e) monoammonium L-glutamate;\n\n(f) magnesium di-L-glutamate;\n\n(g) disodium guanylate;\n\n(h) disodium inosinate;\n\n(i) disodium-5′-ribonucleotides.\n\n(6) If caffeine is added to a food for sale (whether as a \\*flavouring substance or otherwise), it must be listed in the statement of ingredients as caffeine.\n\n1.2.4—8 Declaration of vitamins and minerals\n\nWhere a vitamin or mineral is added to a food, the vitamin or mineral may be declared in accordance with section 1.2.4—7 using the class name ‘vitamin’ or ‘mineral’.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\nApplication, saving and transitional provisions\n\nThe table below details information on application, saving or transitional provisions in instruments affecting this Standard.\n\n```html\n

Food Standards (Proposal P1044 – Plain English Allergen Labelling) Variation

Instrument items affected

A’ment No.

FRL registration

Gazette

Instrument’s transitional provision

Description of transitional arrangement

Item [4] of the Schedule

197

F2021L00145

24 Feb 2021

FSC138

25 Feb 2021

Clause 4

Clause 4 a transitional arrangement for variations to the Code made by Item [4.1] and [4.2].

The transition period is the period of time that commences on 25 February 2021 and ends on 25 February 2024.

The post-transition period is the period of time that commences 26 February 2024 and ends on 26 February 2026.

Subclause 4(1) provides that section 1.1.1—9 of the Code does not apply to the variations.

Subclause 4(2) provides that during the transition period a food product may be sold if the product complies with one of the following:

  1. the Code as in force without the above variations;
  2. the Code as amended by the above variations.

Subclause 4(3) provides that a food product packaged and labelled before the end of the transition period may be sold during the post-transition period if the product complies with one of the following:

  1. the Code as in force without the above variations;
  2. the Code as amended by the above variations.

\n```\n\n \n\nAmendment History\n\nThe Amendment History provides information about each amendment to the Standard. The information includes commencement or cessation information for relevant amendments.\n\nThese amendments are made under section 92 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 unless otherwise indicated. Amendments do not have a specific date for cessation unless indicated as such.\n\nAbout this compilation\n\nThis is compilation No. 2 of Standard 1.2.4 as in force on 2 September 2025 (up to Amendment No. 243). It includes any commenced amendment affecting the compilation to that date.\n\nPrepared by Food Standards Australia New Zealand on 2 September 2025.\n\nUncommenced amendments or provisions ceasing to have effect\n\nTo assist stakeholders, the effect of any uncommenced amendments or provisions which will cease to have effect, may be reflected in the Standard as shaded boxed text with the relevant commencement or cessation date. These amendments will be reflected in a compilation registered on the Federal Register of Legislation including or omitting those amendments and provided in the Amendment History once the date is passed.\n\nThe following abbreviations may be used in the table below:\n\nad = added or inserted am = amended\n\nexp = expired or ceased to have effect rep = repealed\n\nrs = repealed and substituted\n\nStandard 1.2.4 was published in the Food Standards Gazette No. FSC96 on 10 April 2015 as part of Amendment 154 (F2015L00389 –- 31 March 2015) and has since been amended as follows:\n\n| Section affected | A’ment No. | FRL registrationGazette | Commencement(Cessation) | How affected | Description of amendment |\n| ---------------- | ---------- | ------------------------------------------ | ----------------------- | ------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| 1.2.4—4 | 197 | F2021L0014524 Feb 2021FSC13825 Feb 2021 | 25 February 2021 | am | Omitting ‘A statement of ingredients’ and inserting ‘Subject to Division 3 of Standard 1.2.3, a statement of ingredients’For application, saving and transitional provisions, see above table. |\n| 1.2.4—4 | 197 | F2021L0014524 Feb 2021FSC13825 Feb 2021 | 25 February 2021 | ad | Inserting ‘Note’ to 1.2.4—4For application, saving and transitional provisions, see above table. |\n| 1.2.4—5(6)(b) | 243 | F2025L0098826 August 2025FSC1832 Sept 2025 | 2 September 2025 | ad | Inserting “or section 1.5.2—4” into the statement in section 1.2.4—5(6)(b)(ii) |","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Standard’s scope has been adjusted by later amendments. Amendment No. 197 (registered 24 Feb 2021) revised the ingredient‑naming provision by adding the qualification “Subject to Division 3 of Standard 1.2.3” to section 1.2.4—4 and introduced transitional arrangements for plain English allergen labelling (transition 25 Feb 2021–25 Feb 2024; post‑transition 26 Feb 2024–26 Feb 2026). Amendment No. 243 (commencing 2 Sep 2025) expanded the compound‑ingredient bracket‑listing rule in 1.2.4—5(6)(b) to reference section 1.5.2—4. These changes alter which ingredients must be specifically disclosed and the timing for compliance."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross‑references to other Code provisions and schedules (eg Standard 1.2.1, Division 3 of Standard 1.2.3, Standard 1.3.3, section 1.5.2—4, Schedules 7, 8 and 10) which shift interpretive work to other parts of the Code","Numerous specific exemptions and carve‑outs (packaged water, small packages, standardised alcoholic beverages, processing aids, volatile ingredients completely removed) increasing conditional complexity (see 1.2.4—2(3) and 1.2.4—3(2))","Detailed rules for compound ingredients including a 5% threshold and bracketed ingredient lists with different disclosure obligations depending on the threshold (1.2.4—5(5)–(6))","Technical rules for calculating ingoing weight for water and volatile ingredients (equation in 1.2.4—5(4)) and alternative rules when foods are to be reconstituted (1.2.4—5(2)–(3))","Special labelling regimes for food additives and enzymes requiring class names plus bracketed names or code numbers, with exceptions (1.2.4—7(1)–(3); Schedules 7 & 8)","Specific mandatory declaration list for certain flavouring components (eg L‑glutamic acid and related salts) and mandatory caffeine declaration (1.2.4—7(5)–(6))","Transitional and amendment history with staged transition and post‑transition sale periods (notably the 2021 variation for plain English allergen labelling and the 2025 amendment), adding temporal compliance complexity","Interplay between naming options (common, descriptive or specified generic names) and mandatory declarations in other parts of the Code (1.2.4—4 and note referencing Division 3 of Standard 1.2.3)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Standard requires most pre‑packaged foods sold in Australia and New Zealand to carry a statement of ingredients that identifies what must be declared, how ingredients are named, and the order in which they appear. It sets detailed rules for compound ingredients, flavourings, additives, vitamins/minerals, reconstitution and several exemptions. Food manufacturers, packers and importers must follow these rules because they determine label content, disclosure burdens and packaging changes needed to meet compliance."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original Standard focused on basic ingredient listing requirements. Through Amendment 197 (2021), the scope expanded significantly to incorporate enhanced allergen labelling requirements by adding cross-references to Division 3 of Standard 1.2.3. Amendment 243 (2025) further expanded the scope by adding references to section 1.5.2-4 (novel foods), requiring declaration of ingredients from novel food sources. The Standard has evolved from simple ingredient disclosure to a complex instrument coordinating with allergen management and novel food regulations."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to other Standards (1.2.1, 1.2.3, 1.3.3, 1.5.2, 2.2.1, 2.6.2, 2.9.2) and Schedules (7, 8, 10)","Nested conditional logic with multiple exceptions to exceptions (e.g., subsection 1.2.4-5(6) has conditions based on percentage thresholds, with further exceptions in subsection (7) for infant food and subsection (8) for alcoholic beverages)","Mathematical formula for calculating ingoing weight of water/volatile ingredients (subsection 1.2.4-5(4))","Defined terms marked with asterisks (*compound ingredient, *flavouring substance, *processing aid, *standardised alcoholic beverage, *small package, *used as a food additive) requiring reference to the Interpretation section or other Standards","Complex transitional arrangements table with multiple periods (transition period vs post-transition period) and conditional compliance options","Interaction between this Standard and mandatory allergen declaration requirements in Standard 1.2.3, creating layered compliance obligations"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets clear rules for ingredient lists on packaged foods sold in Australia and New Zealand, requiring food businesses—manufacturers, importers and retailers—to disclose what’s in products so consumers know what they’re eating. Ingredients must be listed clearly (main ingredient first) with understandable names, additives identified, and compound ingredients disclosed in certain cases, while limited exceptions apply.\n\nIt matters for allergy safety, dietary choices and transparency; recent Amendment 197 tightened allergen labelling by aligning with stricter rules."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/australia-new-zealand-food-standards-code-standard-1-2-4-information-requirements-statement-of-ingre","history":"/api/acts/australia-new-zealand-food-standards-code-standard-1-2-4-information-requirements-statement-of-ingre/history","analysis":"/api/acts/australia-new-zealand-food-standards-code-standard-1-2-4-information-requirements-statement-of-ingre/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/australia-new-zealand-food-standards-code-standard-1-2-4-information-requirements-statement-of-ingre/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/australia-new-zealand-food-standards-code-standard-1-2-4-information-requirements-statement-of-ingre/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/australia-new-zealand-food-standards-code-standard-1-2-4-information-requirements-statement-of-ingre/documents"}}