Country of origin claims

Country of origin, or place of origin refers to the place where the product was:

• created
• grown
• manufactured, or
• otherwise transformed.

These claims might refer to a country or region.

Under the Standard, imported priority food must at least carry a country of origin text statement in a clearly defined box, for example, ‘Made in China' or ‘Product of Brazil'. 

For imported foods that cannot claim to have been grown, produced or made in a single overseas country, it must carry a ‘packed in’ statement. Foods with a ‘packed in’ statement must identify the country where it was packed, and indicate that the food is:

• of multiple origins, or
• from imported ingredients. 

Other items may include a country of origin to suggest an enhanced level of quality. Country of origin may be communicated:

• on a sticker, for example, fresh fruit
• in writing with distinctive pictures, or
• logos, for example, the Australian Made logo.

Under Australian Consumer Law, all claims about the place of origin of any products, ingredients or where any manufacturing or processing occurred must be true.

There are significant penalties for engaging in misleading or deceptive conduct or making false or misleading claims.

Country of origin food label standards

Under Australian Consumer Law, the Country of Origin Food Labelling Standard 2016 requires country of origin labels to appear on most food sold in Australia. This does not apply to food sold in places like restaurants and cafes. 

There are several acceptable country of origin labels, with standard words, graphics and logos, including:

• ‘Australian grown’
• the 'Australian made’ green and gold kangaroo triangle logo
• a bar chart graphic on Australian foods that must be used to comply with the information standard.

What standard food label phrases mean

Foods with a ‘grown in’ label

You can usually find the ‘grown in’ label for fresh food and the label indicates:

• the food was grown in that country
• that virtually all processing occurred in that country.

Foods with a ‘product of’ label

‘Product of’ is commonly used for fresh and processed foods. The label indicates that:

• all significant ingredients are from that country
• virtually all processing occurred in that country.

Foods with a ‘made in’ label

The ‘made in’ label means the last substantial change occurred in that country, excluding processes such as:

• slicing
• canning
• freezing
• coating or repackaging.

Where there are ingredients of food using the ‘made in’ label, this does not mean the goods are from that country.

Foods with a ‘packed in' label

‘Packed in’ shows where the product was packed. This label is used where one of the other claims cannot be made.

Food packaged and labelled on or before 30 June 2018 can still be sold without these labels.

The meaning behind labels for products other than food

The Australian Consumer Law allows suppliers to make country of origin claims in advertising or product packaging for goods other than food. 

Goods with a ‘grown in’ label

Goods using ‘grown in’ indicates:

• all significant ingredients were grown in that country
• virtually all processing occurred in that country.

Goods with a ‘produce of’ label

Goods using ‘produce of’ indicates:

• all significant ingredients are from that country
• virtually all processing occurred in that country.

Goods with a ‘made in’ or ‘manufactured in’ label

Goods using ‘made in’ or ‘manufactured in’ labels indicates that it went through its last substantial change in that country. This does not mean that any ingredients are from that country. 

A logo or mark identified in an information standard relating to country of origin labelling is currently only used for country of origin food labels. 

When can suppliers use Australian grown and Australian made labels

To use the ‘Australian grown, Australian made’ green and gold kangaroo triangle logo on non-food goods, suppliers need to:

• be registered with Australian Made
• meet certain criteria
• pay for a licence.

The other graphics used for food labelling, such as the rectangle bar chart, can be used for non-food goods provided the meaning is:

• clear
• truthful.

You can learn more about country of origin claims for non-food products on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s country of origin guide.

Making a complaint

When making a complaint, you should include:

• details of the issues you are experiencing
• copies of any correspondence that shows how you have tried to resolve the matter.

How NSW Fair Trading will handle your complaint 

Your complaint will be reviewed to determine the most appropriate resolution. This may include:

• providing you with information to help resolve your complaint
• recording the complaint issues to assist in future compliance programs, or
• contacting the other party to try and resolve the dispute.

You can lodge a complaint: 

Online

If you cannot resolve your matter, submit your complaint by using our form.

Make a complaint

By mail

Post your complaint form and documentation to: 

NSW Fair Trading

PO Box 972 

Parramatta NSW 2124 

Ask a question 

If you are unable to find the information you need, you can call us between 8:30am to 5pm on Monday to Friday. You can also use our form to make an enquiry. 

Make an enquiry