{"id":"F2015L00419","name":"Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.9.3 – Formulated meal replacements and formulated supplementary foods","slug":"f2015l00419","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":315780,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2015L00419-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-08","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.9.3 – Formulated meal replacements and formulated supplementary foods","content":"Standard 2.9.3 Formulated meal replacements and formulated supplementary foods\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\nDivision 1 Preliminary\n\n2.9.3—1 Name\n\nThis Standard is Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.9.3 – Formulated meal replacements and formulated supplementary foods.\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\n2.9.3—2 Definitions\n\nNote In this Code (see sections 1.1.2—2 and 1.1.2—3):\n\nformulated meal replacement means a food for sale or a prepackaged selection of food for sale that:\n\n(a) has been specifically formulated as a replacement for one or more meals of the day, but not as a total diet replacement; and\n\n(b) is represented as a formulated meal replacement.\n\nformulated supplementary food means a food specifically formulated as, and sold on the basis that it is, a supplement to a normal diet to address situations where intakes of energy and nutrients may not be adequate to meet an individual’s requirements.\n\nformulated supplementary food for young children means a formulated supplementary food for children aged 1 to 3 years.\n\nserving means an amount of the food which constitutes one normal serving when prepared according to manufacturer’s directions or when the food requires no further preparation before consumption, and in the case of a formulated meal replacement is equivalent to one meal.\n\nDivision 2 Formulated meal replacements\n\n2.9.3—3 Compositional requirements for formulated meal replacements\n\n(1) A formulated meal replacement must contain in a serving no less than:\n\n(a) 12 g protein; and\n\n(b) 850 kJ; and\n\n(c) 25% \\*RDI of each vitamin and mineral listed in Column 1 of the table to section S29—12.\n\n(2) A vitamin or mineral may be \\*used as a nutritive substance in a formulated meal replacement if:\n\n(a) the vitamin or mineral is listed in Column 1 of:\n\n (i) the table to section S29—12; or\n (ii) the table to section S29—13; and\n\n(b) the total of the naturally occurring and added vitamin or mineral in a serving is not greater than the amount, if any, specified in relation to that vitamin or mineral in Column 2 of the relevant table; and\n\n(c) the vitamin or mineral is in a permitted form specified in:\n\n (i) section S17—2 or S17—3; or\n (ii) section S29—17; or\n (iii) for vitamin K— section S29—23.\n\n2.9.3—4 Labelling of formulated meal replacements\n\n(1) The nutrition information panel on the label on a package of formulated meal replacement must include a declaration of the average quantities of the vitamins and minerals that:\n\n(a) in the case of vitamins and minerals listed in the table in section S29—12—are present in the food; and\n\n(b) in the case of vitamins and minerals listed in the table in section S29—13—have been \\*used as a nutritive substance in the food.\n\n(2) A claim as to the presence in a formulated meal replacement of a vitamin or mineral listed in the table to section S29—12 or S29—13 may be made on the label on a package of formulated meal replacement only if:\n\n(a) no less than 10% \\*RDI or \\*ESADDI of that vitamin or mineral is present in a serving of the food; and\n\n(b) for a vitamin or mineral that has been \\*used as a nutritive substance in the food—the claimed amount of that vitamin or mineral in a serving is no more than the amount set out in Column 3 of the relevant table to section S29—12 or S29—13.\n\nNote If such a claim is made, subparagraph 1.2.8—6(1)(d)(iv) might be relevant.\n\n(3) A claim that a formulated meal replacement is a good source of a vitamin or mineral may be made if:\n\n(a) the vitamin or mineral is listed in Column 1 of the table to section S29—12 or S29—13; and\n\n(b) a serving of the food contains at least 25% \\*RDI or \\*ESADDI of that vitamin or mineral; and\n\n(c) where the vitamin or mineral has been \\*used as a nutritive substance in the food, the claimed amount of that vitamin or mineral in a serving is no more than the amount set out in Column 3 of the table to section S29—12 or S29—13.\n\n(4) ‘Formulated meal replacement’ is a \\*prescribed name.\n\n(5) For the labelling provisions, the required statement is words to the effect that the product must not be used as a total diet replacement.\n\nNote The labelling provisions are set out in Standard 1.2.1.\n\nDivision 3 Formulated supplementary foods\n\n2.9.3—5 Compositional requirements for formulated supplementary foods\n\n(1) A formulated supplementary food must contain in a serving no less than:\n\n(a) 8 g protein; and\n\n(b) 550 kJ; and\n\n(c) 20% \\*RDI of at least 1 vitamin or mineral listed in Column 1 of the table to section S29—14.\n\n(2) A vitamin or mineral may be \\*used as a nutritive substance in a formulated supplementary food if:\n\n(a) the vitamin or mineral is listed in Column 1 of the table to section S29—14; and\n\n(b) the total of the naturally occurring and added amount of each vitamin or mineral in a serving is not more than the amount, if any, set out in relation to that vitamin or mineral in Column 2 of the table; and\n\n(c) the vitamin or mineral is in a permitted form specified in the table in section S17—2 or S17—3.\n\n \n\n2.9.3—6 Labelling of formulated supplementary foods\n\n(1) The nutrition information panel on the label on a package of formulated supplementary food must include a declaration of the average quantities of any vitamin or mineral that:\n\n(a) is listed in Column 1 of the table to section S29—14; and\n\n(b) is present in the food.\n\n(2) A claim as to the presence in a formulated supplementary food of a vitamin or mineral listed in section S17—2, S17—3 or S29—14 may be made on the label on a package of formulated supplementary food if:\n\n(a) no less than 10%\\* RDI or \\*ESADDI, as appropriate, of the vitamin or mineral listed in Column 1 of the table to section S29—14 is in a serving of the food; and\n\n(b) for a vitamin or mineral that has been \\*used as a nutritive substance in the food, the claimed amount in a serving of the food is no more than the amount set out in Column 3 of the table.\n\n(3) A claim that a formulated supplementary food is a good source of a vitamin or mineral may be made if:\n\n(a) the vitamin or mineral is listed in section S17—2, S17—3 or S29—14; and\n\n(b) a serving of the food contains at least 25% \\*RDI or \\*ESADDI of that vitamin or mineral; and\n\n(c) where the vitamin or mineral has been \\*used as a nutritive substance in the food, the claimed amount of that vitamin or mineral in a serving is no more than the amount set out in Column 3 of the table to section S29—14.\n\n(4) For the labelling provisions, the required statement is a description of the role of the food as a supplement to a normal diet to address situations where intakes of energy and nutrients may not be adequate to meet an individual’s requirements.\n\nNote The labelling provisions are set out in Standard 1.2.1.\n\n(5) ‘Formulated supplementary food’ is a \\*prescribed name.\n\nDivision 4 Formulated supplementary foods for young children\n\n2.9.3—7 Compositional requirements for formulated supplementary foods for young children\n\n(1) A formulated supplementary food for young children must contain in a serving no less than:\n\n(a) 2.5 g protein; and\n\n(b) 330 kJ; and\n\n(c) 20% \\*RDI of at least 1 vitamin or mineral listed in Column 1 of the table to section S29—15.\n\n(2) A vitamin or mineral may be \\*used as a nutritive substance in a formulated supplementary food for young children if:\n\n(a) the vitamin or mineral is listed in Column 1 of the table to section S29—15; and\n\n(b) the total of the naturally occurring and added amount of each vitamin or mineral in a serving is not more than the amount, if any, set out in relation to that vitamin or mineral in column 2 of the table; and\n\n(c) the vitamin or mineral is in a permitted form specified in the table in section S17—2 or S17—3.\n\n(3) If \\*inulin-type fructans or \\*galacto-oligosaccharides are added to a formulated supplementary food for young children, the total amount of those substances, both added and naturally occurring, must not be more than 1.6 g/serving. \n\n(4) Lutein may be \\*used as a nutritive substance in a formulated supplementary food for young children only if:\n\n(a) the lutein is derived from Tagetes erecta L.; and\n\n(b) the total amount of lutein, both added and naturally occurring, is not more than 100 µg/serving.\n\n2.9.3—8 Labelling of formulated supplementary foods for young children\n\n(1) The nutrition information panel on the label on a package of formulated supplementary foods for young children must include a declaration of the \\*average quantity of any vitamin or mineral that:\n\n(a) is listed in Column 1 of the table to section S29—15; and\n\n(b) is \\*used as a nutritive substance in the food.\n\n(2) A claim as to the presence in a formulated supplementary food for young children of a vitamin or mineral in section S17—2, S17—3 or S29—15 may be made on the label on a package of formulated supplementary food for young children if:\n\n(a) no less than 10% \\*RDI or \\*ESADDI, as appropriate, of the vitamin or mineral listed in Column 1 of the table is present in a serving of the food; and\n\n(b) for a vitamin or mineral that has been \\*used as a nutritive substance in the food, the claimed amount of that vitamin or mineral in a serving of the food is no more than the amount set out in Column 3 of the table.\n\n(3) A claim that a formulated supplementary food for young children is a good source of a vitamin or mineral may be made if:\n\n(a) the vitamin or mineral is listed in section S17—2, S17—3 or S29—15; and\n\n(b) a serving of the food contains at least 25% \\*RDI or \\*ESADDI of that vitamin or mineral; and\n\n(c) where the vitamin or mineral has been \\*used as a nutritive substance in the food, the claimed amount of that vitamin or mineral in a serving is no more than the amount set out in Column 3 of the table to section S29—15.\n\n(4) For the labelling provisions, the required statement is a description of the role of the food as a supplement to a normal diet to address situations where intakes of energy and nutrients may not be adequate to meet an individual’s requirements.\n\nNote The labelling provisions are set out in Standard 1.2.1.\n\n(5) ‘Formulated supplementary food for young children’ is a \\*prescribed name.\n\n(6) The label on a package of formulated supplementary food for young children must not include any words indicating, or any other indication, that the product contains lutein unless the total amount of lutein is no less than 30 µg/serving.\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

Instrument items affected

A’ment No.

FRLI registration

Gazette

Instrument’s transitional provision

Description of transitional arrangement

Food Standards (Proposal P1028 – Infant Formula Products – Consequential Amendments) Variation

Item [17] of Schedule 2

231

F2024L01151

13 Sept 2024

FSC 171

13 Sept 2024

Clause 4

Clause 4 establishes a transitional arrangement for variations to the Code made by Item [17] of Schedule 2 and by the Food Standards (Proposal P1028 – Infant Formula Products – Consequential Amendments) Variation.

The transition period is the period of time that commences on 13 September 2024 and ends on 13 September 2029.

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:

(a) the Code as in force without the above variations;

(b) the Code as amended by the above variations.

Subclause 4(3) provides that a food product that was labelled before the end of the transition period may be sold after the transition period if the product complies with one of the following:

(a) the Code as in force without the above variations;

(b) the Code as amended by the above variations.

\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. 3 of Standard 2.9.3 as in force on 13 September 2024 (up to Amendment No. 231). It includes any commenced amendment affecting the compilation to that date.\n\nPrepared by Food Standards Australia New Zealand on 13 September 2024.\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\n \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 2.9.3 was published in the Food Standards Gazette No. FSC96 on 10 April 2015 as part of Amendment 154 (F2015L00419 –- 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| 2.9.3—2 | 157 | F2015L013741 Sept 2015FSC993 Sept 2015 | 1 March 2016 | rep | Note 2 to section. |\n| 2.9.3—5(1) | 168 | F2017L0041411 April 2017FSC11013 April 2017 | 13 April 2017 | am | Cross-reference. |\n| 2.9.3—5(2) | 168 | F2017L0041411 April 2017FSC11013 April 2017 | 13 April 2017 | am | Cross-reference. |\n| 2.9.3—6(1) | 168 | F2017L0041411 April 2017FSC11013 April 2017 | 13 April 2017 | am | Cross-reference. |\n| 2.9.3—8(3) | 157 | F2015L013741 Sept 2015FSC993 Sept 2015 | 1 March 2016 | rs | Paragraph (a) to add cross-references. |\n| 2.9.3—3(2)(c)(iii) | 231 | F2024L0115113 Sept 2024FSC 17113 Sept 2024 | 13 September 2024 | rs | Repeal ‘section S29—7’ and substitute with ‘section S29—23’. |","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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Standard appears to maintain its original scope covering formulated meal replacements and supplementary foods. The amendment history shows minor technical updates (cross-reference corrections, vitamin K form specification moved from S29-7 to S29-23) rather than expansion into new product categories. The three-division structure (meal replacements, supplementary foods, young children) has remained stable since commencement."},"complexity_factors":["Heavy cross-referencing to external schedules (S29-12, S29-13, S29-14, S29-15, S17-2, S17-3, S29-23, S29-17) for vitamin/mineral specifications—actual permitted substances and limits are not defined within this Standard","Multiple defined terms marked with asterisks (*RDI, *ESADDI, *used as a nutritive substance, *prescribed name, *average quantity, *inulin-type fructans, *galacto-oligosaccharides) requiring reference to other parts of the Code","Three parallel regulatory schemes (meal replacements, supplementary foods, supplementary foods for young children) with similar but distinct thresholds (12g vs 8g vs 2.5g protein; 850kJ vs 550kJ vs 330kJ)","Nested conditional logic for vitamin/mineral claims requiring satisfaction of multiple cumulative conditions (percentage thresholds, table references, and form restrictions)","Specific technical restrictions for young children's products including lutein source restrictions (Tagetes erecta L. only) and prebiotic limits (1.6g/serving)","Transitional provisions table with HTML formatting containing detailed compliance periods and alternative compliance pathways"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets safety, composition and labelling rules for three categories of special foods sold in Australia and New Zealand—meal replacements, formulated supplementary foods, and supplementary foods for 1–3‑year‑olds. It requires minimum protein, energy and micronutrient levels, limits which vitamins/minerals and amounts can be added, and controls naming, warnings and nutrition claims. It affects manufacturers and importers and protects consumers—especially children, the elderly and nutritionally vulnerable—by ensuring products deliver what they promise."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Standard continues to set compositional and labelling requirements for the same product classes. Recent amendments recorded (including substitution of a cross‑reference to section S29—23 and transitional arrangements set out in the Variation) are procedural/technical and establish a transition period (13 Sept 2024–13 Sept 2029) rather than expanding the substantive scope of products covered."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross‑references to other Code tables and sections (eg. S17—2, S17—3, S29—12, S29—13, S29—14, S29—15, S29—17 and S29—23) which require consult of multiple provisions to determine permitted nutrients and forms.","Different compositional and labelling rules for three product classes (meal replacements, supplementary foods, supplementary foods for young children) with distinct nutrient minimums and claim thresholds.","Numeric thresholds and caps (grams, kJ, %RDI, µg) for constituents and claims that create measurement and testing burdens for compliance.","Specific source or origin restrictions for some substances (eg. lutein must be derived from Tagetes erecta L. and have min/max amounts) and fibre‑type limits (inulin‑type fructans, galacto‑oligosaccharides capped at 1.6 g/serving).","Labelling rules include mandatory declarations in the nutrition information panel and permitted claim conditions (10% RDI for presence; 25% RDI to state 'good source'), requiring reconciliation of analysed vs added nutrient amounts.","Transitional arrangements (13 Sept 2024–13 Sept 2029) permitting sale of products compliant under either old or new variations, adding temporary dual‑compliance complexity for industry and enforcement.","Amendment history and recent technical amendments (eg. replacement of a cross‑reference to S29—7 with S29—23) that may alter compliance checks without changing substantive product requirements."],"plain_english_summary":"This Standard prescribes minimum composition and labelling rules for formulated meal replacements, formulated supplementary foods and supplementary foods for children 1–3 years (minimum protein, energy and specified vitamin/mineral levels per serving, plus limits and permitted forms for added nutrients and certain additives). It applies to manufacturers, packagers and sellers by determining what can be sold or claimed on labels and includes a transition period allowing products complying with either the old or amended Code during the transitional dates."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/f2015l00419","history":"/api/acts/f2015l00419/history","analysis":"/api/acts/f2015l00419/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/f2015l00419/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/f2015l00419/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/f2015l00419/documents"}}