Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.7.1 – Labelling of alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol

Standard 2.7.1 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code prescribes labelling requirements for alcoholic beverages and foods containing alcohol. It sets out (a) when and how to state alcohol content and number of standard drinks (ss 2.7.1,3, ,4); (b) a mandatory energy statement and related formatting and calculation rules for certain beverages described as “prescribed beverages” (ss 2.7.1,4A to ,4D); (c) voluntary and mandatory nutrition information panel rules for alcoholic products (ss 2.7.1,4E, ,4F); (d) a set of restrictions on particular representations (for example representations that a product is “low alcohol”, “non-intoxicating”, or a non‑alcoholic product) (ss 2.7.1,5 to ,7); and (e) a detailed, compulsory regime of pregnancy warning labels for prescribed alcoholic beverages covering placement, size, colour, typeface, spacing and an optional alternative for corrugated cardboard outer packaging (Division 4, ss 2.7.1,8 to ,13).

Mechanically, the Standard requires:

all foods containing >1.15% alcohol by volume, and beverages across a range of lower thresholds, to display an alcohol content statement, with specified units and accuracy tolerances (s 2.7.1,3);
beverages capable of being consumed as a beverage and containing >0.5% alcohol by volume to carry a statement of the approximate number of standard drinks, with precision and placement rules (s 2.7.1,4 and s 2.7.1,4F);
certain categories of beverages defined as “prescribed beverages” to carry an energy statement in a prescribed format, showing servings per package, average serving size in mL, average energy content per serving and per 100 mL, and the approximate number of standard drinks per serving (ss 2.7.1,4A to ,4C); and
pregnancy warning pictogram/mark requirements that vary by package volume and by whether the label is on an outer package or on individual units, and that include stringent visual specifications (ss 2.7.1,9 to ,13).

Standard 2.7.1 Labelling of alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol

Note 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.

Note 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.

Division 1 Preliminary

2.7.1—1 Name

This Standard is Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.7.1 – Labelling of alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol.

Note Commencement:
This 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.

2.7.1—2 Definitions

Note In this Code (see section 1.1.2—2):

average energy content means the average energy content calculated in accordance with section S11—2.

individual unit means a container that:

is an innermost package; and
contains a beverage with more than 1.15% alcohol by volume.

pregnancy warning label means either the pregnancy warning pictogram or the pregnancy warning mark.

pregnancy warning mark means the following image comprising

the pregnancy warning pictogram,
the signal words “Pregnancy Warning” and
the statement “Alcohol can cause lifelong harm to your baby”,

all within a border.

![pregnancy warning mark](image.001.jpeg)

pregnancy warning pictogram means the following pictogram with the silhouette of a pregnant woman holding a wine glass within a circle with a strikethrough:

pregnancy warning pictogram

prescribed alcoholic beverage means a beverage that:

has more than 1.15% alcohol by volume; and
either:

(i) is for retail sale; or

(ii) is sold as suitable for retail sale without any further processing, packaging or labelling; and

(i) is sold for retail sale; and

(ii) is packaged in the presence of the purchaser

prescribed beverage means:

(a) a *standardised alcoholic beverage; or

(b) a beverage containing no less than 0.5% alcohol by volume.

serving 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.

size of type means the measurement from the base to the top of a letter or numeral.

small package means a package with a surface area of less than 100 cm2.

standard drink, for a beverage containing alcohol, means the amount that contains 10 grams of ethanol when measured at 20°C.

Division 2 Requisite statements

2.7.1—3 Statement of alcohol content

(1) For the labelling provisions, a statement of the alcohol content is required for:

(a) a food (including an alcoholic beverage) that contains more than 1.15% alcohol by volume; or

(b) an alcoholic beverage that contains 1.15% or less alcohol by volume; or

Note The labelling provisions are set out in Standard 1.2.1.

(2) For paragraph (1)(a), the alcohol content must be expressed in mL/100 g, mL/100 mL or as the percentage of alcohol by volume.

(3) For paragraph (1)(b) or (c), the alcohol content must be expressed in words to the effect ‘CONTAINS NOT MORE THAN X% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME’.

(4) The statement must be accurate to within:

(a) for beer, cider or perry—0.3% alcohol by volume;

(b) for spirits, liqueurs, fortified wine, fortified fruit or vegetable wine, and all other alcoholic beverages containing more than 1.15% alcohol by volume—0.5% alcohol by volume;

(c) for wine and fruit wine (including sparkling forms), and wine products and fruit or vegetable wine products containing more than 6.5% alcohol by volume—1.5% alcohol by volume.

2.7.1—4 Statement of the number of standard drinks

(1) For the labelling provisions, a statement of the approximate number of *standard drinks in the food for sale is required for a food that:

(a) is capable of being consumed as a beverage; and

(b) contains more than 0.5% alcohol by volume, measured at 20C.

Note The labelling provisions are set out in Standard 1.2.1.

(1A) The statement must not appear in:

(a) an energy statement required by paragraph 1.2.1—8(1)(za); or

(b) a nutrition information panel.

Note An energy statement required by paragraph 1.2.1—8(1)(za) must state the approximate number of standard drinks equivalent to one serving of the prescribed beverage. Section 2.7.1—4F requires a nutrition information panel for certain prescribed beverages to state the approximate number of standard drinks equivalent to one serving of the beverage concerned.

(2) The statement must be accurate to:

(a) for a food for sale containing 10 or less *standard drinks—the first decimal place; or

(b) for a food for sale containing more than 10 standard drinks—the nearest whole number of standard drinks.

(3) A statement is not required for beverages packaged prior to 20 December 2002.

2.7.1—4A Energy statement

(1) For the labelling provisions, an energy statement is required for a *prescribed beverage.

Note The labelling provisions are set out in Standard 1.2.1.

(2) An energy statement is not required for a *prescribed beverage that:

(a) has a nutrition information panel required by Standard 1.2.8; or

(b) has a voluntary nutrition information panel in accordance with section 2.7.1—4E; or

(3) An energy statement required by subsection (1) must comply with sections 2.7.1—4B, 2.7.1—4C and 2.7.1—4D.

2.7.1—4B What must be in an energy statement

(1) The energy statement must contain the following information:

(a) the number of servings in the package; and

(b) the *average quantity of the beverage in a serving expressed in millilitres; and

(i) serving of the beverage; and

(ii) 100 mL of the beverage; and

(d) the approximate number of *standard drinks equivalent to one serving of the beverage.

(2) The number required by paragraph (1)(d) must be accurate to the first decimal place.

(3) The energy statement must be set out in the following format unless this Code provides otherwise:

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:234.4pt; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; border:1pt solid #000000; border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td colspan="3" style="width:222.6pt; border-bottom:1pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.9pt; padding-left:4.9pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; text-align:center; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>ENERGY INFORMATION</span></p><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>Servings per package: (insert number of servings)</span></p><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>Serving size: mL ([insert number] standard drinks)</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:16.15pt"><td style="width:31pt; border-bottom:1pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.9pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:81.6pt; border-bottom:1pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>Quantity per serving</span></p></td><td style="width:88.4pt; border-bottom:1pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.9pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>Quantity per 100 mL</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:31pt; border-top:1pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.9pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>Energy</span></p></td><td style="width:81.6pt; border-top:1pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>kJ (Cal)</span></p></td><td style="width:88.4pt; border-top:1pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.9pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>kJ (Cal)</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

2.7.1—4C How to express particular matters in an energy statement

(1) The energy statement must clearly indicate that any average quantities set out in the statement are average quantities.

(2) In an energy statement, ‘package’ may be replaced by ‘can’, ‘bottle’ or any other word or words that accurately describes the package containing the *prescribed beverage.

(3) The *average energy content must be expressed in an energy statement to not more than 3 significant figures.

(4) If the *average energy content per serving or 100 mL of the *prescribed beverage is less than 40 kJ, that average energy content may be expressed in the energy statement as ‘LESS THAN 40 kJ’.

2.7.1—4D Percentage daily intake information

(1) The energy statement may include information relating to the percentage daily intake of energy in the statement.

(2) If information relating to percentage daily intake of energy is included, the energy statement must include:

(a) the percentage daily intake of energy per serving, calculated using 8700 kJ as the reference value; and

(b) either of the following statements:

(i) ‘based on an average adult diet of 8700 kJ’; or

(ii) ‘Percentage daily intakes are based on an average adult diet of 8700 kJ’.

(3) For subsection (2), an example energy statement with percentage daily intake information is:

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:369.05pt; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; border:1pt solid #000000; border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td colspan="4" style="width:357.25pt; border-bottom:1pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.9pt; padding-left:4.9pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; text-align:center; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>ENERGY INFORMATION</span></p><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>Servings per package: (insert number of servings)</span></p><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>Serving size: mL ([insert number] standard drinks)</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:31.25pt; border-bottom:1pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.9pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:88.4pt; border-bottom:1pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>Quantity per serving</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; border-bottom:1pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>% Daily intake* (per serving)</span></p></td><td style="width:88.4pt; border-bottom:1pt solid #000000; padding-right:4.9pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>Quantity per 100 mL</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:31.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:4.9pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>Energy</span></p></td><td style="width:88.4pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>kJ (Cal)</span></p></td><td style="width:116.8pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>%</span></p></td><td style="width:88.4pt; padding-right:4.9pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>kJ (Cal)</span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" style="width:357.25pt; padding-right:4.9pt; padding-left:4.9pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; page-break-inside:avoid; font-size:9pt"><span>*Percentage daily intakes are based on an average adult diet of 8700 kJ.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

2.7.1—4E Voluntary nutrition information panel for food containing alcohol

(1) This section applies to a food that:

(a) contains more than 1.15% alcohol by volume; and

(b) is not required by Standard 1.2.8 to have a nutrition information panel.

(2) The label on a package of the food may include a nutrition information panel that is not required by Standard 1.2.8 to be included on that label (a voluntary nutrition information panel).

(3) The voluntary nutrition information panel referred to in subsection (2) must:

(a) contain the information as required by each of the following provisions for a mandatory nutrition information panel:

(i) paragraphs 1.2.8—6(1)(a), (b) and (c);

(ii) subparagraphs 1.2.8—6(1)(d)(i), (ii) and (iii);

(iii) if a *prescribed beverage—section 2.7.1—4F; and

be set out in the format in section S12—2.

2.7.1—4F Nutrition information panel for a prescribed beverage – number of standard drinks in a serving

(1) The nutrition information panel for a *prescribed beverage, other than a prescribed beverage to which subsection (3) applies, must state the approximate number of *standard drinks equivalent to one serving of that beverage.

(2) The nutrition information panel for a *prescribed beverage to which subsection (3) applies may state the approximate number of *standard drinks equivalent to one serving of that beverage.

(3) This subsection applies to a *prescribed beverage:

(a) that *bears a label with the statement required by section 2.7.1—4; and

(b) the number of *standard drinks declared in that statement is the same as the approximate number of standard drinks equivalent to one serving of that beverage.

Note Section 2.7.1—4 and the labelling provisions in Standard 1.2.1 require the labelling for a food for sale that is capable of being consumed as a beverage and contains more than 0.5% alcohol by volume, measured at 20°C, to state the approximate number of standard drinks in that food for sale.

(4) The number stated in accordance with subsection (1) or (2) must be:

(a) accurate to the first decimal place; and

(b) stated in the nutrition information panel in brackets and immediately after the entry in the panel for the *average quantity of the food in a serving.

Division 3 Restricted representations

2.7.1—5 Restriction on representations of low alcohol

An alcoholic beverage which contains more than 1.15% alcohol by volume must not be represented as a low alcohol beverage.

2.7.1—6 Restriction on representation of ‘non-intoxicating’

The label on a package of a beverage containing more than 0.5% alcohol by volume must not include the words ‘non intoxicating’ or words of similar meaning.

2.7.1—7 Restriction on representation as non-alcoholic

A food containing alcohol must not be represented in a form which expressly or by implication suggests that the product is a non-alcoholic confection or non-alcoholic beverage.

Division 4 Pregnancy warning labels

2.7.1—8 Requirement to display a pregnancy warning label

(1) A *prescribed alcoholic beverage that has one layer of packaging must display a *pregnancy warning label on its package.

(2) A *prescribed alcoholic beverage that has more than one layer of packaging must display a *pregnancy warning label on:

(a) the outer package; and

(b) either:
(i) the \*individual unit; or
(ii) each \*individual unit—if the packaging includes more than one individual unit.

(3) Subsection (2) does not require a *pregnancy warning label to be on the outer package if a pregnancy warning label on an *individual unit is clearly discernible and not obscured by the outer package.

(4) Subsection (2) does not require a *pregnancy warning label to be on the bladder within a box of a *prescribed alcoholic beverage.

2.7.1—9 Pregnancy warning label for one layer of packaging

(1) A *prescribed alcoholic beverage that:

is required by subsection 2.7.1—8(1) to display a *pregnancy warning label on its package; and

(b) is listed in Column 1 of the table to subsection (3):

must display the pregnancy warning label listed in Column 2 of that table on its package.

(2) The pregnancy warning label required by subsection (1) must comply with any corresponding size requirements listed in Columns 3, 4 and 5 of the table to subsection (3).

(3) The table to this subsection is:

Pregnancy warning label required

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
Prescribed alcoholic beverage	Pregnancy warning label to be displayed	Size of the pregnancy warning pictogram or the pictogram of a pregnancy warning mark	*Size of type of the signal words	*Size of type of the statement of a pregnancy warning mark
A *prescribed alcoholic beverage with a volume not more than 200 ml.	The *pregnancy warning pictogram.	At least 8 mm diameter	Not applicable	Not applicable
A *prescribed alcoholic beverage with a volume more than 200 ml but not more than 800 ml.	The *pregnancy warning mark.	At least 6 mm diameter	At least 2.1 mm	At least 1.6 mm
A *prescribed alcoholic beverage with a volume more than 800 ml.	The *pregnancy warning mark.	At least 9 mm diameter	At least 2.8 mm	At least 2.1 mm

2.7.1—10 Pregnancy warning label for an outer package

(1) A *prescribed alcoholic beverage that:

is required by paragraph 2.7.1—8(2)(a) to display a *pregnancy warning label on its outer package; and

(b) is listed in Column 1 of the table to subsection (3);

must display the pregnancy warning label listed in Column 2 of that table on its outer package.

(2) The pregnancy warning label required by subsection (1) must comply with any corresponding size requirements listed in Columns 3, 4 and 5 of the table to subsection (3).

(2A) Subsection (2) does not apply to a *pregnancy warning mark to which section 2.7.1—13 applies.

(3) The table to this subsection is:

Pregnancy warning label required

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
Prescribed alcoholic beverage	Pregnancy warning label to be displayed	Size of the pregnancy warning pictogram or the pictogram of a pregnancy warning mark	*Size of type of the signal words	*Size of type of the statement of a pregnancy warning mark
A prescribed alcoholic beverage with: a volume not more than 200 ml; and packaging that includes only one individual unit.	The *pregnancy warning pictogram.	At least 8 mm diameter	Not applicable	Not applicable
All other *prescribed alcoholic beverages.	The *pregnancy warning mark.	At least 11 mm diameter	At least 3.5 mm	At least 2.7 mm

2.7.1—11 Pregnancy warning label for an individual unit

(1) A *prescribed alcoholic beverage that:

is required by paragraph 2.7.1—8(2)(b) to display a *pregnancy warning label on one or more individual units; and

(b) is an individual unit that is listed in Column 1 of the table to subsection (3);

must display the pregnancy warning label listed in Column 2 of that table on each such individual unit.

(2) The pregnancy warning label required by subsection (1) must comply with any corresponding size requirements listed in Columns 3, 4 and 5 of the table to subsection (3).

(3) The table to this subsection is:

Pregnancy warning label required

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	Column 5
Individual unit	Pregnancy warning label to be displayed	Size of the pregnancy warning pictogram or the pictogram of a pregnancy warning mark	*Size of type of the signal words	*Size of type of the statement of a pregnancy warning mark
An *individual unit with a volume not more than 200 ml.	The *pregnancy warning pictogram.	At least 8 mm diameter	Not applicable	Not applicable
An *individual unit with a volume more than 200 ml but not more than 800 ml.	The *pregnancy warning mark.	At least 6 mm diameter	At least 2.1 mm	At least 1.6 mm
An *individual unit with a volume more than 800 ml.	The *pregnancy warning mark.	At least 9 mm diameter	At least 2.8 mm	At least 2.1 mm

2.7.1—12 Required form for pregnancy warning labels

(1) Subject to subsection (10), a *pregnancy warning label required by this Division to be displayed must comply with this section.

(2) The background of the *pregnancy warning label must be in the colour white.

(3) The circle and strikethrough of the *pregnancy warning pictogram must be in the colour red.

(4) The silhouette of a pregnant woman on the *pregnancy warning pictogram must be in the colour black.

(5) The signal words of the *pregnancy warning mark must be:

(a) in the colour red; and

(b) in bold font; and

(d) in capital letters; and

(e) in English.

(6) The statement of the *pregnancy warning mark must be:

(a) in the colour black; and

(b) in a sans-serif typeface; and

(d) in English.

(7) The border of the *pregnancy warning mark must be in the colour black.

(8) The *pregnancy warning mark must be displayed on the package with a clear space that:

(a) surrounds the outside of the border of the pregnancy warning mark; and

(b) is at least 3mm in width.

(9) The *pregnancy warning label must be displayed as a whole and without modification.

(10) This section does not apply to a *pregnancy warning mark to which section 2.7.1—13 applies.

2.7.1—13 Optional pregnancy warning mark for corrugated cardboard outer packaging

(1) This section applies to a *pregnancy warning mark that:

(a) is required by subsection 2.7.1—10(1) to be displayed on the outer package of a *prescribed alcoholic beverage; and

(b) is displayed on a *prescribed alcoholic beverage to which subsection (2) applies; and

(c) has been printed on the outer package of the *prescribed alcoholic beverage using a post-print (flexographic) printing process; and

(d) complies with this section.

(2) This subsection applies to a *prescribed alcoholic beverage that has:

(a) packaging that includes more than one *individual unit; and

(b) an outer package that:

(i) is made of corrugated cardboard; and

(ii) has an outside liner made of kraft, recycled or white paper.

(3) The *pregnancy warning pictogram must be at least 14mm in diameter.

(4) The *size of type of the signal words of the *pregnancy warning mark must be at least 4.4 mm.

(5) The *size of type of the statement of the *pregnancy warning mark must be at least 3.4 mm.

(6) The background of the *pregnancy warning mark must be in the same colour as the outside liner.

Note Subparagraph 2.7.1—13(2)(b)(ii) requires the outside liner to be made of kraft, recycled or white paper, the colours of which are brown, grey or white.

(7) The circle and strikethrough of the *pregnancy warning pictogram must be in the colour black.

(8) The silhouette of a pregnant woman on the *pregnancy warning pictogram must be in the colour black.

(9) The strikethrough of the *pregnancy warning pictogram must be displayed with a clear space on either side of the strikethrough so both the strikethrough and silhouette of a pregnant woman on the *pregnancy warning pictogram are clearly legible.

(10) The signal words of the *pregnancy warning mark must be:

(a) in the colour black; and

(b) in bold font; and

(d) in capital letters; and

(e) in English.

(11) The statement of the *pregnancy warning mark must be:

(a) in the colour black; and

(b) in a sans-serif typeface; and

(d) in English.

(12) The border of the *pregnancy warning mark must be in the colour black.

(13) The *pregnancy warning mark must be displayed on the package with a clear space that:

(a) surrounds the outside of the border of the pregnancy warning mark; and

(b) is at least 3mm in width.

(14) The *pregnancy warning mark must be displayed as a whole and without modification.

(15) In this section, a post-print (flexographic) printing process means the pregnancy warning mark is printed directly on to the outside liner of corrugated cardboard packaging using flexible raised image printing plates.

________________

Application, saving and transitional provisions

The table below details information on application, saving or transitional provisions in instruments affecting this Standard.

<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:454.35pt; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr style="height:14.2pt"><td style="width:45.65pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">Instrument items affected</span></p></td><td style="width:31.75pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">A’ment No.</span></p></td><td style="width:60.05pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendh" style="margin-bottom:2pt"><span>FRLI registration</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">Gazette</span></p></td><td style="width:67.2pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">Instrument’s transitional provision</span></p></td><td style="width:194.95pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">Description of transitional arrangement</span></p></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr style="height:14.2pt"><td colspan="5" style="width:442.8pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-top:3pt; margin-left:0pt; margin-bottom:3pt; text-indent:0pt; text-align:justify; font-size:9pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Food Standards (Application A1256 – Colour of pregnancy warning labels for corrugated cardboard packaging) Variation</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:14.2pt"><td style="width:45.65pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>Items [1] [2] [3] and [4] of the Schedule</span></p></td><td style="width:31.75pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>218</span></p></td><td style="width:60.05pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>F2023L00523</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>4 May 2023</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>FSC158</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>4 May 2023</span></p></td><td style="width:67.2pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>Clause 4</span></p></td><td style="width:194.95pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>Clause 4 provides a transitional arrangement for variations to the Code made by the Schedule.</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span></span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">The transition period is the period of time that commences on 4 May 2023 and ends on 1 February 2024.</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span></span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>Subclause 4(1) provides that section 1.1.1—9 of Standard 1.1.1 of the Code</span><span style="font-style:italic"> </span><span>does not apply to the variations.</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span></span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>Subclause 4(2) states that clause 4, and therefore the transitional arrangements that it provides, shall apply only to a food product that is an alcoholic beverage:</span></p><ol class="awlist8" style="margin:0pt; padding-left:0pt"><li class="FSCDraftingitem" style="margin-top:3pt; margin-left:37.5pt; margin-bottom:3pt; text-indent:-21.75pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="width:11.97pt; font:7pt 'Times New Roman'; display:inline-block"></span><span>that is required by subsection 2.7.1—10(1) of the Code to display a pregnancy warning mark on its outer package; and</span></li><li class="FSCDraftingitem" style="margin-top:3pt; margin-left:37.5pt; margin-bottom:3pt; text-indent:-21.75pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="width:11.97pt; font:7pt 'Times New Roman'; display:inline-block"></span><span>to which subsection 2.7.1—13(2) of the Code applies</span></li></ol><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span></span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>Subclause 4(3) provides that, during the transition period, a food product may be sold if the product complies with one of the following:</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span></span></p><ol class="awlist9" style="margin:0pt; padding-left:0pt"><li class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:36pt; text-indent:-18pt"><span style="width:8.22pt; font:7pt 'Times New Roman'; display:inline-block"></span><span>the Code as in force without the above variations;</span></li><li class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:36pt; text-indent:-18pt"><span style="width:8.22pt; font:7pt 'Times New Roman'; display:inline-block"></span><span>the Code as amended by the above variations.</span></li></ol><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span></span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>Subclause 4(4) provides that a food product may be sold after the transition period if the product complies with one of the following:</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span></span></p><ol class="awlist10" style="margin:0pt; padding-left:0pt"><li class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:36pt; text-indent:-18pt"><span style="width:8.22pt; font:7pt 'Times New Roman'; display:inline-block"></span><span>the Code as amended by the pregnancy warning label amendments</span><span> </span><span>; or</span></li><li class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:36pt; text-indent:-18pt"><span style="width:8.22pt; font:7pt 'Times New Roman'; display:inline-block"></span><span>both the following apply: the product was packaged and labelled before 2 February 2024; and the labelling on the product’s outer package complies with the Code as in force without the pregnancy warning label amendments</span><span style="font-style:italic">.</span></li></ol><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span style="font-style:italic"></span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>Subclause 4(5</span><span style="font-style:italic">) provides that </span><span>clause 4 does not limit clause 4 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Food Standards (Proposal P1050 – Pregnancy warning labels on alcoholic beverages) Variation.</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span style="font-style:italic"></span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>Subclause 4(6) provides that the term ‘pregnancy warning label amendments’ used in subclause 4(3)</span><span style="font-weight:bold"> </span><span>means the variations made by the Schedule and by the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Food Standards (Proposal P1050 – Pregnancy warning labels on alcoholic beverages) Variation.</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span style="font-style:italic"></span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>Subclause 4(6) also provides a definition of transition period for the purposes of clause 4.</span></p></td></tr><tr style="height:14.2pt"><td colspan="5" style="width:442.8pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="font-size:9pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Food Standards (Proposal P1050 – Pregnancy warning labels on alcoholic beverages) Variation</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:45.65pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>Items [3.1] and [3.2] of the Schedule</span></p></td><td style="width:31.75pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>194</span></p></td><td style="width:60.05pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>F2020L00952</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>28 July 2020</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>FSC 135</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>31 July 2020</span></p></td><td style="width:67.2pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>Clause 4</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span></span></p></td><td style="width:194.95pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>Clause 4 provides a transitional arrangement for variations to the Code made by Items [3.1] and [3.2] of the Schedule.</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span></span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span style="font-weight:bold">The transition period is the period of time that commences on 31 July 2020 and ends on 31 July 2023.</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>Subclause 4(1) provides that section 1.1.1—9 of the Code</span><span style="font-style:italic"> </span><span>does not apply to the variations.</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span></span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>Subclause 4(2) provides that during the transition period a food product may be sold if the product complies with one of the following:</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span></span></p><ol class="awlist11" style="margin:0pt; padding-left:0pt"><li class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:36pt; text-indent:-18pt"><span style="width:8.22pt; font:7pt 'Times New Roman'; display:inline-block"></span><span>the Code as in force without the above variations;</span></li><li class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:36pt; text-indent:-18pt"><span style="width:8.22pt; font:7pt 'Times New Roman'; display:inline-block"></span><span>the Code as amended by the above variations.</span></li></ol><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span></span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>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:</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span></span></p><ol class="awlist12" style="margin:0pt; padding-left:0pt"><li class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:36pt; text-indent:-18pt"><span style="width:8.22pt; font:7pt 'Times New Roman'; display:inline-block"></span><span>the Code as in force without the above variations;</span></li><li class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:36pt; text-indent:-18pt"><span style="width:8.22pt; font:7pt 'Times New Roman'; display:inline-block"></span><span>the Code as amended by the above variations.</span></li></ol></td></tr><tr><td colspan="5" style="width:442.8pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-top:3pt; margin-bottom:3pt; text-align:justify; font-size:9pt"><span style="font-weight:bold; font-style:italic">Food Standards (Proposal P1059 – Energy labelling on alcoholic beverages) Variation</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:45.65pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:0pt; text-indent:0pt"><span>Items [3], [4] and [5] of the Schedule</span></p></td><td style="width:31.75pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>241</span></p></td><td style="width:60.05pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-left:5.65pt; text-indent:-5.65pt; font-size:8pt"><span>F2025L00923</span></p><p style="margin-left:5.65pt; text-indent:-5.65pt; font-size:8pt"><span>12 August 2025</span></p><p style="margin-left:5.65pt; text-indent:-5.65pt; font-size:8pt"><span>FSC180</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>13 August 2025</span></p></td><td style="width:67.2pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblAmendmain"><span>Clause 4</span></p></td><td style="width:194.95pt; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-right:0.75pt solid #000000; border-left:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.03pt; padding-left:5.03pt; vertical-align:top"><p style="margin-top:3pt; font-size:8pt"><span>Clause 4 of the </span><span style="font-style:italic">Food Standards (Proposal P1059 – Energy labelling on alcoholic beverages) Variation</span><span> provides a transitional arrangement for the variations to the Code made by Items [3], [4] and [5] of the Schedule to that legislative instrument.</span></p><p class="fsctblamendmain0" style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><p class="fsctblamendmain0" style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif; font-weight:bold">The transition period is the period of time that commences on 13 August 2025 and ends on 13 August 2028.</span></p><p class="fsctblamendmain0" style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><p class="fsctblamendmain0" style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Subclause 4(1) provides that section 1.1.1—9 of the Code does not apply to the variations.</span></p><p class="fsctblamendmain0" style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><p class="fsctblamendmain0" style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Subclause 4(2) provides that during the transition period, a food product may be sold if the product complies with one of the following:</span></p><p class="fsctblamendmain0" style="margin-top:0pt; margin-left:3.8pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:-3.8pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><p class="fsctblamendmain0" style="margin-top:0pt; margin-left:11.65pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:-11.65pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">(a)</span><span> </span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">the Code as in force without the variations made by this instrument; or</span></p><p class="fsctblamendmain0" style="margin-top:0pt; margin-left:11.65pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:-11.65pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">(b)</span><span> </span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">the Code as amended by the variations made by this instrument.</span></p><p class="fsctblamendmain0" style="margin-top:0pt; margin-left:3.8pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:-3.8pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><p class="fsctblamendmain0" style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">Subclause 4(3) provides that a food product that was packaged and labelled before the end of the transition period may be sold after the transition period if the product complies with one of the following:</span></p><p class="fsctblamendmain0" style="margin-top:0pt; margin-left:3.8pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:-3.8pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif"></span></p><p class="fsctblamendmain0" style="margin-top:0pt; margin-left:11.65pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:-11.65pt; font-size:8pt"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">(a)</span><span> </span><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif">the Code as in force without the variations made by this instrument; or</span></p><p class="FSCtblAmendmain" style="margin-left:11.05pt; text-indent:-11.05pt"><span>(b) the Code as amended by the variations made by this instrument.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>

Amendment History

The Amendment History provides information about each amendment to the Standard. The information includes commencement or cessation information for relevant amendments.

These 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.

About this compilation

This is compilation No. 4 of Standard 2.7.1 as in force on 13 August 2025 (up to Amendment No. 241). It includes any commenced amendment affecting the compilation to that date.

Prepared by Food Standards Australia New Zealand on 13 August 2025.

Uncommenced amendments or provisions ceasing to have effect

To 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 Legislative Instruments including or omitting those amendments and provided in the Amendment History once the date is passed.

The following abbreviations may be used in the table below:

ad = added or inserted am = amended

exp = expired or ceased to have effect rep = repealed

rs = repealed and substituted

Standard 2.7.1 was published in the Food Standards Gazette No. FSC96 on 10 April 2015 as part of Amendment 154 (F2015L00469 –- 1 April 2015) and has since been amended as follows:

Section affected	A’ment No.	FRLI registrationGazette	Commencement(Cessation)	How affected	Description of amendment
2.7.1—1	161	F2016L0012018 Feb 2016FSC10322 Feb 2016	1 March 2016	am	Correction to name of Standard.
2.7.1—2	194	F2020L0095228 July 2020FSC 13531 July 2020	31 July 2020	ad	Definitions of ‘individual unit’, ‘pregnancy warning label’, pregnancy warning pictogram’, ‘prescribed alcoholic beverage’. Division 4 ‘Pregnancy warning labels’.For application, saving and transitional provisions, see above table.
2.7.1—10	218	F2023L005234 May 2023FSC1584 May 2023	4 May 2023	ad	Insert subsection (2)For application, saving and transitional provisions, see above table.
2.7.1—12(1)	218	F2023L005234 May 2023FSC1584 May 2023	4 May 2023	am	Omit and substituteFor application, saving and transitional provisions, see above table.
2.7.1 12(9)	218	F2023L005234 May 2023FSC1584 May 2023	4 May 2023	ad	Insert (10)For application, saving and transitional provisions, see above table.
2.7.1—13	218	F2023L005234 May 2023FSC1584 May 2023	4 May 2023	ad	Insert 2.7.1—13For application, saving and transitional provisions, see above table.
2.7.1—2	241	F2025L0092312 August 2025FSC18013 August 2025	13 August 2025	ad	Insert new definitions: average energy content, prescribed beverage, serving, small package.For application, saving and transitional provisions, see above table.
2.7.1—4(1)	241	F2025L0092312 August 2025FSC18013 August 2025	13 August 2025	ad	Insert new item 1AFor application, saving and transitional provisions, see above table.
2.7.1—4	241	F2025L0092312 August 2025FSC18013 August 2025	13 August 2025	ad	Insert new items 2.7.1—4A, 2.7.1—4B, 2.7.1—4C, 2.7.1—4D, 2.7.1—4E and 2.7.1—4FFor application, saving and transitional provisions, see above table.

1 Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.7.1 – Labelling of alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol

Standard 2.7.1 Labelling of alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol

Note 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.

Division 1 Preliminary

2.7.1—1 Name

This Standard is Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.7.1 – Labelling of alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol.

2.7.1—2 Definitions

Note In this Code (see section 1.1.2—2):

average energy content means the average energy content calculated in accordance with section S11—2.

individual unit means a container that:

is an innermost package; and
contains a beverage with more than 1.15% alcohol by volume.

pregnancy warning label means either the pregnancy warning pictogram or the pregnancy warning mark.

pregnancy warning mark means the following image comprising

the pregnancy warning pictogram,
the signal words “Pregnancy Warning” and
the statement “Alcohol can cause lifelong harm to your baby”,

all within a border.

![pregnancy warning mark](image.001.jpeg)

pregnancy warning pictogram means the following pictogram with the silhouette of a pregnant woman holding a wine glass within a circle with a strikethrough:

prescribed alcoholic beverage means a beverage that:

has more than 1.15% alcohol by volume; and
either:

(i) is for retail sale; or

(ii) is sold as suitable for retail sale without any further processing, packaging or labelling; and

(i) is sold for retail sale; and

Definitions structure the Standard’s operation. Key definitional anchors are in s 2.7.1,2 and include: “prescribed alcoholic beverage” (a beverage >1.15% ABV that is for retail sale or sold as suitable for retail sale without further processing or labelling, with an exception for packaging in the purchaser’s presence); “prescribed beverage” (either a standardised alcoholic beverage or any beverage ≥0.5% ABV); “individual unit” (an innermost package containing a beverage >1.15% ABV); “standard drink” (the amount containing 10 g of ethanol measured at 20°C); “average energy content” (as calculated in section S11,2); and “small package” (surface area <100 cm2). Those definitions determine which downstream obligations apply (for example pregnancy warning labelling applies to “prescribed alcoholic beverage” (s 2.7.1,8) while energy statements attach to “prescribed beverage” (s 2.7.1,4A)).

Accuracy and measurement rules are core compliance levers. Alcohol content statements must be given in mL/100 g, mL/100 mL or % ABV for foods with >1.15% ABV (s 2.7.1,3(2)). For low‑alcohol and intermediate ABV ranges (≤1.15% and 0.5-1.15% ABV), the statement must appear as words: “CONTAINS NOT MORE THAN X% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME” (s 2.7.1,3(3)). The Standard prescribes tolerances for how accurate these statements must be (s 2.7.1,3(4)): ±0.3% ABV for beer/cider/perry, ±0.5% ABV for spirits/liqueurs/fortified wines/others >1.15% ABV, and ±1.5% ABV for wine and fruit wine >6.5% ABV.

The Standard defines standard drinks and sets precision rules for declaring their quantity. The approximate number of standard drinks must be accurate to one decimal place for containers with 10 or fewer standard drinks, and to the nearest whole number for containers with more than 10 standard drinks (s 2.7.1,4(2)). The nutrition information panel for a prescribed beverage must state the approximate number of standard drinks per serving, in brackets and immediately after the average quantity entry, with accuracy to one decimal place (s 2.7.1,4F).

Pregnancy warning labels are tightly specified. The Standard defines two visual options , the pictogram (a pregnant woman silhouette with a wine glass, inside a red circle with strikethrough) and the pregnancy warning mark (the pictogram plus the signal words “Pregnancy Warning” and the statement “Alcohol can cause lifelong harm to your baby”, in a border) (definitions in s 2.7.1,2). Placement (outer package and/or individual unit), minimal pictogram diameters, and minimal type sizes for the signal words and statement differ according to package volume (see tables in ss 2.7.1,9, ,10 and ,11). Colour, typeface, bolding, case, language (English), border colour, clear-space requirements and “displayed as a whole and without modification” obligations are in s 2.7.1,12. An alternate set of specifications applies when the outer package is corrugated cardboard printed by a post‑print flexographic process; that alternate set changes pictogram colours and minimum sizes (s 2.7.1,13).

Interaction pointers: the Standard repeatedly cross‑references the labelling provisions of Standard 1.2.1 and the nutrition information panel formatting in Standard 1.2.8 and S12,2 (see notes in ss 2.7.1,3, ,4, ,4E and ,4F). That means compliance requires reading those provisions together. The Standard also contains transitional and application rules embedded in the compilation’s application table and amendment history entries, which specify transition windows for particular amendments (see Application, saving and transitional provisions table and the Amendment History).

Primary regulatory targets are producers, packagers, importers and retailers of alcoholic beverages and foods containing alcohol sold at retail in Australia and New Zealand as the Code applies in both jurisdictions (Note 1 and Note 2 to the Standard, s 2.7.1,1 and s 2.7.1,2 notes). The legal obligations attach to the presentation of labels on packages: that places legal responsibility primarily on persons who prepare packages for retail sale or who supply retail-labelled product (manufacturers, brand owners, private labelers, and packers). Where products are packaged in the presence of the purchaser, the definition of “prescribed alcoholic beverage” expressly excludes such beverages from being captured (s 2.7.1,2, definition of prescribed alcoholic beverage, paragraph (c)).

Packaging supply chain actors face distinct tasks. Designers, label printers and packagers will need to implement the visual and sizing requirements for pregnancy warning marks and pictograms (ss 2.7.1,9 to ,13). Manufacturers of beverages will need to determine ABV at 20°C, calculate standard drinks (10 g ethanol = one standard drink at 20°C as defined in s 2.7.1,2) and produce accurate standard drink statements and alcohol content declarations (ss 2.7.1,3, ,4). Producers of “prescribed beverages” must prepare an energy statement in a specific format unless the product already has a mandatory or voluntary nutrition information panel or is in a small package (s 2.7.1,4A(1)-(2)). Retailers and wholesalers are affected indirectly because non‑compliant labelling on stock they sell could expose them to enforcement action where the Code is adopted/implemented in the relevant jurisdiction.

State and territory enforcement authorities and, in New Zealand, regulators under the Food Act 2014 are affected, because this Standard is a Code standard made under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 and applies where incorporated/adopted in domestic food laws (Note 1 and Note 2). The Standard itself does not set out penalties (see Penalties and enforcement below), so the practical effect for enforcement bodies appears as an additional set of mandatory labelling provisions to monitor and enforce via their food safety/consumer protection powers.

Ancillary industries affected include packaging and printing firms because the Standard prescribes exact pictogram diameters, type sizes, colours and clear spaces (ss 2.7.1,9 to ,13). Where outer packaging is corrugated cardboard and printed by a post-print (flexographic) process, different colour and size specifications (s 2.7.1,13) create a distinct production pathway and technical constraints. The transitional provisions recorded in the application table (for example those attached to Amendment Nos 194, 218 and 241) create inventory management and sell‑through issues for manufacturers and retailers: labelled product packaged before certain transition cut‑offs may continue to be sold post‑transition if it complies with the transitional criteria stated in the instrument’s schedules.

Consumers are an indirect audience: the Standard imposes mandatory disclosure and labelling elements aimed at information provision , alcohol content, standard drinks, energy statements and pregnancy warnings , which will affect the information available at point of sale. The Standard itself does not quantify behavioural effects; it prescribes content, format and placement only.

Key duties are statutory labelling obligations that fall to those responsible for product labelling and packaging.

Duty to state alcohol content: For foods (including alcoholic beverages) >1.15% ABV, and for alcoholic beverages ≤1.15% ABV or between 0.5% and 1.15% ABV, a statement of alcohol content is required under s 2.7.1,3(1). The format differs: >1.15% ABV may use mL/100 g, mL/100 mL or % ABV (s 2.7.1,3(2)); low/intermediate ranges must use the prescribed wording “CONTAINS NOT MORE THAN X% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME” (s 2.7.1,3(3)). Accuracy bands are specified by beverage category (s 2.7.1,3(4)).
Duty to state number of standard drinks: Food for sale capable of being consumed as a beverage and containing >0.5% ABV (measured at 20°C) must state the approximate number of standard drinks in the food for sale (s 2.7.1,4(1)). The statement must be accurate to the first decimal for containers with ≤10 standard drinks and to the nearest whole number for those with >10 standard drinks (s 2.7.1,4(2)). There are exceptions for beverages packaged prior to 20 December 2002 (s 2.7.1,4(3)).
Duty to include energy statement for prescribed beverages: A prescribed beverage must include an energy statement unless it already has a mandatory nutrition information panel, a voluntary nutrition panel, or is sold in a small package (s 2.7.1,4A(1)-(2)). The energy statement must contain the number of servings per package, average quantity per serving in mL, average energy content per serving and per 100 mL (in kJ and optionally kcal), and the approximate number of standard drinks equivalent to one serving, accurate to one decimal place (ss 2.7.1,4B(1)-(2)). The statement must be presented in a prescribed format (s 2.7.1,4B(3)).
Duty concerning nutrition information panels: The Standard allows a voluntary nutrition information panel for alcohol products not required by Standard 1.2.8, but if used it must follow the mandatory panel content and format, including the information required by s 2.7.1,4F for prescribed beverages (s 2.7.1,4E). The nutrition information panel for prescribed beverages must state the approximate number of standard drinks equivalent to one serving in brackets immediately after the average quantity per serving (s 2.7.1,4F(1), (4)).
Duties limiting representations: Labels must not represent an alcoholic beverage >1.15% ABV as “low alcohol” (s 2.7.1,5), and labels for beverages >0.5% ABV must not include the words “non intoxicating” or similar (s 2.7.1,6). No food containing alcohol may be represented in a way which suggests it is non‑alcoholic (s 2.7.1,7).
Duties for pregnancy warning labels: For every prescribed alcoholic beverage with one layer of packaging a pregnancy warning label must appear on the package (s 2.7.1,8(1)). Multi‑layer packaging requires a warning on the outer package and either the individual unit or each individual unit if more than one (s 2.7.1,8(2)). Specific label forms (pictogram or mark), sizes and typeface/colour/spacing requirements are mandated in ss 2.7.1,9 to ,13, and the label must be “displayed as a whole and without modification” (s 2.7.1,12(9)).

Rights and exceptions in the Standard are procedural and limited:

Some products are expressly excluded from the definition of “prescribed alcoholic beverage” where packaging occurs in the presence of the purchaser (s 2.7.1,2, definition of prescribed alcoholic beverage, paragraph (c)). Small packages (surface area <100 cm2) are exempt from the energy statement requirement (s 2.7.1,4A(2)(c)). A prescribed beverage that already has a mandatory NIP under Standard 1.2.8 or a voluntary NIP in accordance with s 2.7.1,4E is exempt from the separate energy statement requirement (s 2.7.1,4A(2)(a)-(b)).
Transitional allowances: the application and transitional tables (in the compilation) permit products packaged and labelled before the end of certain transition periods to be sold after the transition period under either the pre‑amendment Code or the amended Code, subject to the precise transitional clause applicable to the amendment (see Application, saving and transitional provisions table and Amendment History entries for Amendments 194, 218 and 241). Those transitional provisions create limited rights to sell pre‑labelled inventory.

Operationally, the Standard assigns decision‑making about format, units, accuracy and placement to the label preparer. It requires technical measures (ABV measurement at 20°C, calculations of average energy content per S11,2, and standard drinks calculations per the defined 10 g ethanol standard), but does not set procedural requirements for testing or sampling in this text.

The Standard itself is a Code instrument made under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Note 1 to Standard, s 2.7.1,1). The text of Standard 2.7.1 does not include specific penalty provisions or enforcement mechanisms within its own sections. The Standard repeatedly cross‑references other parts of the Code (notably Standard 1.2.1 for labelling provisions and Standard 1.2.8 for nutrition information panel requirements), which form the regulatory architecture; enforcement and sanctioning depend on how the Code is adopted and enforced under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act framework and under state and territory food legislation in Australia and the Food Act 2014 in New Zealand (Notes 1 and 2).

Consequently, practical enforcement is carried out by the jurisdictions that adopt the Code into domestic law. The compilation shows that the Standard is an instrument under the national FSANZ scheme and must be read with the Code’s labelling provisions (see notes in ss 2.7.1,3 and ,4 that “the labelling provisions are set out in Standard 1.2.1”). Local regulatory authorities therefore enforce labelling compliance under the enforcement powers available to them, including administrative and compliance actions established under state/territory food laws and national enforcement cooperation protocols. The Standard does not itself specify the form of those penalties or administrative sanctions; they remain a matter of the enforcing jurisdiction’s law and policy.

Enforcement implications for regulated parties:

Non‑compliance with the Standard (for example, incorrect alcohol content statements, inaccurate standard drink counts, absence of a required pregnancy warning label or incorrect size/colour/typeface) exposes the responsible label preparer or supplier to enforcement action under the domestic food law that applies where the product is sold. That enforcement action will follow the processes and penalties available to that jurisdiction, not the Standard.
Recordkeeping and proof issues matter because the compilation’s transitional provisions permit sale of stock labelled before transition cut‑offs in some cases. The ability to rely on transitional allowances will commonly require evidence of packaging/label date, so businesses face a compliance risk if they cannot substantiate such dates.
The Standard’s prescriptive format requirements (for energy statements, nutrition panels, pregnancy warning marks) make non‑compliance visually obvious to enforcement officers. That increases detection risk for design/printing errors and strengthens enforcement capacity where jurisdictions choose to inspect labels.

If you need a jurisdiction‑specific map of enforcement powers, penalties and administrative processes that implement the Code in a particular state, territory or New Zealand, that falls outside this Standard’s text and should be obtained from the relevant domestic food law or regulator.

Standard 2.7.1 is part of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and operates within the FSANZ legal architecture. The Standard includes explicit cross‑references to other parts of the Code and to domestic adoption mechanisms.

Relationship to other Code provisions: The Standard repeatedly links to Standard 1.2.1 (the labelling provisions) and to Standard 1.2.8 (nutrition information panel) for the placement and format mechanics of requisite statements (see notes in ss 2.7.1,3, ,4, ,4A and ,4E). It also refers to section S11,2 for the calculation of “average energy content” and to section S12,2 for the prescribed nutrition information panel format (ss 2.7.1,2 definition of average energy content, s 2.7.1,4E(3)(a)(iii) and s 2.7.1,4E(3)(b) respectively). Compliance therefore requires reading the Code horizontally: the substantive obligation in 2.7.1 (for example to display an energy statement) must be implemented in the form required by the referenced Code sections.
Adoption into domestic law: Note 1 to the Standard states it is made under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth) and forms part of the Code; Note 2 states the Code provisions that apply in New Zealand are incorporated or adopted under the Food Act 2014 (NZ). That means the Standard becomes enforceable where and when the Code or its parts are adopted under domestic food safety statutes in each jurisdiction. The Standard does not itself create criminal offences; enforcement is via those domestic regimes (see Penalties and enforcement).
Transitional and saving provisions: The application table and Amendment History supply the transitional mechanics for particular amendments (for example Amendments 194, 218 and 241). Those transitional clauses are part of the instrument and state when and how pre‑amended packaging may continue to be sold (see Application, saving and transitional provisions table and the Amendment History entries). In practice that means a product may be lawfully sold post‑amendment even if its labelling is compliant with the pre‑amendment Code, provided it was packaged and labelled before the end of the transition period and meets the transitional criteria stated.
Interaction with consumer protection and trade laws: The Standard establishes mandatory label statements and forbids certain representations (ss 2.7.1,5 to ,7). Those requirements will operate in parallel with consumer protection laws (for example misleading or deceptive conduct prohibitions) and food‑safety regulatory obligations in each jurisdiction. Where a label representation contravenes 2.7.1’s restrictions, that may be actionable under both the Code (as enforced under domestic law) and by consumer protection agencies if the representation misleads consumers, subject to the enforcement frameworks of different jurisdictions.
Packaging and environmental regulation intersection: Section 2.7.1,13 provides specific rules for corrugated cardboard outer packaging printed using a post‑print (flexographic) process. That creates an intersection with packaging supply chain practices and may interact with procurement and sustainability policies (for example reuse/refill schemes or labelling printed on bulk packaging). The Standard’s text does not address waste or recycling rules; it simply sets out different visual rules for that packaging type.

In short, compliance requires mapping Standard 2.7.1 onto the labelling, nutrition panel and calculation provisions of the wider Code (Standards 1.2.1, 1.2.8, S11,2, S12,2) and then understanding how the Code has been incorporated into the domestic law of the jurisdiction where the product will be sold.

The compilation provided is No. 4 of Standard 2.7.1 as in force on 13 August 2025 (up to Amendment No. 241). The Amendment History in the compilation records the sequence of relevant amendments, their FRLI registrations, Gazettal dates and commencement or transitional arrangements. Important amendments included in the compilation are:

Amendment 154 (original publication): Standard 2.7.1 was published in Food Standards Gazette No. FSC96 on 10 April 2015 as part of Amendment 154 (F2015L00469 - 1 Apr 2015). That established the baseline Standard, which commenced on 1 March 2016 (s 2.7.1,1 note).
Amendment No. 161: Corrected the name of the Standard (FRLI F2016L00120, Gazette Feb 2016), commencing 1 March 2016 (listed in the Amendment History table).
Amendment No. 194 (Proposal P1050 - Pregnancy warning labels on alcoholic beverages): Inserted new definitions (including ‘individual unit’, ‘pregnancy warning label’, ‘pregnancy warning pictogram’, ‘prescribed alcoholic beverage’) and Division 4 “Pregnancy warning labels” (FRLI F2020L00952, registered 28 July 2020, Gazette 31 July 2020). Commenced 31 July 2020 with a transition period that the compilation records as commencing 31 July 2020 and ending 31 July 2023 (see the Application, saving and transitional provisions table and the Amendment History entry for No. 194).
Amendment No. 218 (FSC158, registered 4 May 2023): Inserted subsection 2.7.1,10(2) and amended s 2.7.1,12(1), and inserted s 2.7.1,13. These changes relate to the pregnancy warning mark colour and corrugated cardboard printing variant. The instrument records a transition period commencing 4 May 2023 and ending 1 February 2024 for the changes introduced by the Schedule (Application table notes for Amendment No. 218).
Amendment No. 241 (Food Standards (Proposal P1059 - Energy labelling on alcoholic beverages) Variation): Inserted new definitions , average energy content, prescribed beverage, serving, small package , and added a new set of provisions for energy statements and nutrition panel interactions (ss 2.7.1,4A, ,4B, ,4C, ,4D, ,4E and ,4F). This amendment is FRLI F2025L00923, registered 12 August 2025, gazetted 13 August 2025 and commenced 13 August 2025. The Application table records a transition period for these variations commencing 13 August 2025 and ending 13 August 2028 (Clause 4 of the P1059 Variation).

The compilation’s Application, saving and transitional provisions table summarises each variation’s transitional arrangements. For example, for Amendment No. 218 the compilation records Clause 4 provides a transitional arrangement meaning certain products meeting specified criteria can be sold if packaged and labelled before the end of the transition period or if labelled in accordance with either the pre‑variation Code or the variation (see the Application table text under Amendment No. 218). Similarly, the P1059 Variation (No. 241) includes a three‑year transition period (13 August 2025 to 13 August 2028) during which products may be sold if they comply with either the pre‑variation or post‑variation Code (Application table entry for Amendment No. 241).

Practically, these amendments staged in 2020, 2023 and 2025 progressively expanded the Standard from alcohol content and standard‑drink requirements to mandatory pregnancy warning labels and then to energy‑labelling obligations for prescribed beverages, each with its own transition mechanics. The compilation includes a final note that the compilation is current to 13 August 2025 and prepared by FSANZ on that date.

The Standard’s compilation and the text provided do not name or summarise any litigation. There are no judicial decisions, appeals to courts or tribunal determinations cited in the text. The document’s Amendment History and Application tables record administrative amendments and transition arrangements only, and the standard does not include case law references.

Therefore, based on the provided compilation, there is no litigation history recorded in this instrument. If litigation has occurred in respect of these provisions, it does not appear in the Standard’s text or its Amendment History as provided. To identify any challenge or enforcement case in the courts that engages Standard 2.7.1, one would need to search judicial databases and tribunal records for matters referencing the Code or its adoption in the relevant domestic jurisdiction, because the Standard itself does not collect or summarise litigation.

The Standard contains several specific drafting features and exceptions that are common sources of compliance error or practical confusion.

Two different “prescribed” terms with different scopes: “prescribed alcoholic beverage” and “prescribed beverage” are distinct (s 2.7.1,2). A “prescribed alcoholic beverage” is essentially any beverage >1.15% ABV for retail sale or sold as suitable for retail sale, with a packaging‑in‑presence‑of‑purchaser exception. A “prescribed beverage” is either a standardised alcoholic beverage or any beverage ≥0.5% ABV. These definitions carry different downstream obligations (pregnancy warning for “prescribed alcoholic beverage” (s 2.7.1,8) versus energy statement for “prescribed beverage” (s 2.7.1,4A)), so misclassifying a product will lead to incorrect labelling duties.
Measurement basis is 20°C: The definitions and measurement conventions use 20°C as the temperature for ABV and the standard drink calculation (s 2.7.1,2). Labelling that uses ABV measured at a different temperature or uses a different standard‑drink mass could be non‑compliant.
Multiple accuracy tolerances: Alcohol content tolerances differ by product category (s 2.7.1,3(4)). If a company uses a single blanket tolerance or applies the beer tolerance to wine, it may fall outside the permitted accuracy margin. Similarly, the standard drink number must be rounded to the first decimal for ≤10 standard drinks and to the nearest whole number for >10 standard drinks (s 2.7.1,4(2)); ignoring these precision rules is a common source of error.
Placement prohibitions and format conflicts: Section 2.7.1,4(1A) forbids placing the standard drinks statement inside an energy statement required by 1.2.1,8(1)(za) or inside a nutrition information panel. However, s 2.7.1,4F requires the nutrition information panel for prescribed beverages to state the approximate number of standard drinks equivalent to one serving. Reconciling these provisions requires carefully reading the cross‑references: the statement of the approximate number of standard drinks for the whole package (s 2.7.1,4) must not appear in those forbidden locations, while the nutrition panel must state the number of standard drinks per serving (s 2.7.1,4F). Mixing up “per package” and “per serving” obligations is a frequent compliance trap.
Small package exemptions: A “small package” (surface area <100 cm2) is exempt from the energy statement requirement (s 2.7.1,4A(2)(c)). Determining surface area for irregular shaped packages or multilayer packaging can be non‑trivial and may require measurement decisions and internal procedures.
Corrugated cardboard variant: Section 2.7.1,13 provides an optional alternative pregnancy warning mark specification for corrugated cardboard outer packages printed by a post‑print flexographic process. The colour and size rules differ from the standard mark (for example black circle and strikethrough in s 2.7.1,13(7) instead of red), but the optional regime is only available where the outer liner is kraft, recycled or white paper and the mark is printed by the specified post‑print process (s 2.7.1,13(2), (3)-(6)). Misunderstanding whether the printing process qualifies could lead to the display of an incorrect colour or size.
Transitional sell‑through and record evidence: Several amendments include transition periods allowing sale of pre‑labelled stock after amendment commencement (see Application table). To rely on those transitional rights, a business typically needs verifiable evidence that the product was packaged and labelled before the transition end date (the Application table sets out that condition). Failure to maintain such documentary evidence can expose businesses to enforcement action if labelled stock is inspected after the transition period.
“Displayed as a whole and without modification”: Sections 2.7.1,12(9) and 2.7.1,13(14) require the pregnancy warning label be displayed intact and unmodified. Alteration by overprinting, cropping, or tinting (for example to match branding) will breach the Standard’s requirement, even if the pictogram text remains legible.
Cross‑standard formatting rules: The energy statement must be presented “in the following format unless this Code provides otherwise” (s 2.7.1,4B(3)) and there are cross‑references to S12,2 for nutrition panel formatting. The literal HTML table included in the Standard is prescriptive; formatting that deviates even in spacing or column headings could be challenged by an inspector though enforcement practice will vary by jurisdiction.
Prohibition on certain representations: The Standard bars representations of “low alcohol” for beverages >1.15% ABV (s 2.7.1,5) and bars “non intoxicating” claims for beverages >0.5% ABV (s 2.7.1,6). Marketers must review product claims and promotional text to ensure they do not contravene these restrictions, which extend beyond the hard‑label panel to any representation on the label.

These “gotchas” create a high premium on disciplined internal governance , correct classification, consistent measurement protocols (20°C ABV measurement), accurate rounding and display rounding rules, proof of packaging date for transitional reliance, and controlled design/printing workflows that preserve the pregnancy mark’s required colours, sizes and spacing.

Compliance requires a cross‑functional approach involving product development, quality assurance, labelling design, legal review and supply chain recordkeeping. Below is a practical, section‑referenced compliance checklist derived from the Standard.

Classify the product exactly:
- Determine whether the product is a “prescribed alcoholic beverage” (s 2.7.1,2 definition) and/or a “prescribed beverage” (s 2.7.1,2). This determines whether pregnancy warning labels (s 2.7.1,8) and/or energy statements (s 2.7.1,4A) apply.
Measure and record ABV at 20°C:
- Ensure ABV measurements are performed or converted to 20°C, as “standard drink” and ABV measurement bases are defined at that temperature (s 2.7.1,2). Document testing method, date and laboratory.
Prepare the alcohol content statement correctly:
- For products >1.15% ABV, express alcohol content as mL/100 g, mL/100 mL or % ABV (s 2.7.1,3(2)).
- For ≤1.15% ABV or 0.5-1.15% ABV, use the exact phrase “CONTAINS NOT MORE THAN X% ALCOHOL BY VOLUME” (s 2.7.1,3(3)).
- Apply the applicable accuracy tolerance by category (s 2.7.1,3(4)) to ensure declared ABV falls within permitted bands.
Calculate and declare the number of standard drinks:
- Use the definition one standard drink = 10 g ethanol at 20°C (s 2.7.1,2).
- For the package as a whole, declare the approximate number of standard drinks (s 2.7.1,4(1)).
- Round per s 2.7.1,4(2): first decimal place for ≤10 standard drinks; nearest whole number for >10 standard drinks.
- Do not place the package‑level standard drinks statement inside an energy statement required by 1.2.1,8(1)(za) or within the nutrition information panel (s 2.7.1,4(1A)), but note the nutrition panel must state the approximate number of standard drinks per serving for prescribed beverages (s 2.7.1,4F).
Energy statement for prescribed beverages:
- If the product is a prescribed beverage and is not exempt (s 2.7.1,4A(1)-(2)), prepare an energy statement containing: servings per package; average quantity per serving (mL); average energy content per serving and per 100 mL in kJ (and optionally kcal) accurate to no more than 3 significant figures (ss 2.7.1,4B and ,4C); and the approximate number of standard drinks per serving accurate to one decimal place (s 2.7.1,4B(1)(d), (2), (3)).
- Use section S11,2 to calculate average energy content as referenced in the Standard (s 2.7.1,2 definition of average energy content).
Nutrition information panel considerations:
- If the product requires a mandatory NIP under Standard 1.2.8, follow that standard’s format (s 2.7.1,4A(2)(a)). If adding a voluntary NIP under s 2.7.1,4E, ensure it contains the elements required by the mandatory panel and is set out in the format in S12,2 (s 2.7.1,4E(3)). For prescribed beverages, the NIP must state the approximate number of standard drinks equivalent to one serving, in brackets immediately after the average quantity of the food in a serving (s 2.7.1,4F(1), (4)).
Pregnancy warning label compliance:
- For prescribed alcoholic beverages, determine packaging layers and ensure pregnancy warning label placement per s 2.7.1,8(1)-(4).
- Select the correct label form (pictogram or pregnancy warning mark) and apply the minimum pictogram diameter, type sizes for signal words and statement according to the volume and whether the label is on an individual unit or outer package (ss 2.7.1,9 to ,11). For example, for a single 750 mL bottle the pregnancy warning mark minimum pictogram diameter will be the column corresponding to >200 mL but not more than 800 mL in the relevant table(s) (ss 2.7.1,9 to ,11).
- Follow the required colours, typeface, case, language and clear‑space rules in s 2.7.1,12. If using corrugated cardboard outer packaging printed post‑print (flexographic), follow the alternate specifications in s 2.7.1,13, and ensure the outer liner is kraft, recycled or white paper as required.
Preserve label integrity:
- Do not alter, crop or recolour the pregnancy pictogram/mark; s 2.7.1,12(9) and s 2.7.1,13(14) require the label be “displayed as a whole and without modification”. Any branding overlays or tampering can create non‑compliance.
Maintain evidentiary records for transitional sales:
- If relying on transitional sell‑through (for Amendments 194, 218 or 241), retain clear documentary evidence of packaging/label date and compliance with the stated transitional criteria set out in the Application table. The compilation requires that products packaged and labelled before the end of a transition period may continue to be sold provided they meet the transitional conditions.
Review marketing claims and collateral:

Ensure label and marketing claims do not use prohibited representations under ss 2.7.1,5 to ,7 (for example do not represent a >1.15% ABV beverage as “low alcohol” or a >0.5% ABV product as “non‑intoxicating”).

Update procedures and training:

Implement QA checks at design approval, pre‑press and pre‑shipment stages to verify pictogram diameter, type size, colour, clear space and placement, and that energy and standard drink calculations are correct and documented.
Train marketing, product and supply chain teams on the 20°C measurement basis, rounding rules for standard drinks, and the distinction between per‑package and per‑serving disclosures.

Seek jurisdictional enforcement guidance:

Because enforcement and penalties derive from domestic food law, check with the relevant state/territory or New Zealand regulator for enforcement guidance, acceptable tolerances in enforcement practice and any published compliance guides.

These steps map directly to the Standard’s provisions: alcohol content (s 2.7.1,3), standard drinks (s 2.7.1,4; s 2.7.1,4F), energy statements (ss 2.7.1,4A to ,4D), nutrition panels (ss 2.7.1,4E, ,4F), representation restrictions (ss 2.7.1,5 to ,7), pregnancy warning labelling (ss 2.7.1,8 to ,13) and transitional considerations as recorded in the Application table.

Where there is ambiguity about how state/territory enforcement will interpret the Code’s formatting particulars (for example the precise manner of typesetting a pregnancy warning mark on curved glass bottles or on shrink sleeves), seek regulator guidance or a written compliance opinion.

Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.7.1 – Labelling of alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol

Plain English Summary

Deep Dive

What it does

Current sections

Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.7.1 – Labelling of alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol

Source text: opening excerpt

1 Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.7.1 – Labelling of alcoholic beverages and food containing alcohol

Main concepts

Who it affects

Key duties and rights

Penalties and enforcement

How it interacts with other laws

Amendment history

Litigation history

Gotchas

How to comply