Australia To Implement 'Country Of Origin Labeling,' With Emphasis On Their Own Country

Samantha Neudorf|

Australia is planning to introduce Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) to foods, but the labels will only show what percentage of the ingredients are from Australia itself.

The new gold labels, complete with kangaroos, were unveiled on July 21 and have a bar to represent what percentage of the ingredients are from Australia, according to Mashable. If the food is packed locally but cultivated abroad, the labels will list where the country was grown or made. For example, a label may indicate that an item was packed in Australia and either made or grown in France.

These new guidelines were set by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce, and Industry Minister Ian MacFarlane.

The labeling has provoked confusion and criticism among many Australians.

The labels will indicate whether the product contains Australian-made ingredients in percentage increments of 100, 75, 50, and 25. The new system is expected to be in place by mid-2016.

 

Recommended