Free range egg labelling
Find out how the national standard for free range egg labelling helps you make informed purchasing decisions in relation to free range eggs.
You should expect that free range egg claims made by producers are truthful.
Australian Consumer Law requires that any statement or representation made when advertising or selling eggs must not be:
- misleading or deceptive, or
- likely to mislead or deceive.
This includes claims that eggs are laid by free range hens.
What makes an egg free range
Free range eggs must come from hens: that
- had meaningful and regular access to an outdoor range during daylight hours of the laying cycle
- were able to roam and forage on the outdoor range
- were subject to a stocking density of 10,000 hens or less per hectare.
When can a producer make free range claims
If producers use the words ‘free range’ on the packaging, it must:
- prominently state the stocking density
- prominently display a sign containing the words ‘free range’ for unpackaged eggs and which prominently state the stocking density.
In addition to the new Standard, producers must also continue to comply with existing the Australian Consumer Law requirements. This means that producers must ensure any claims when advertising or selling are accurate and truthful. This includes claims made through other words and pictures on any packaging and promotional material.
Free range egg labelling information standard
Australia has a national information standard for free range egg labelling. The standard gives consumers confidence in the certainty of free range egg claims. The standard also helps producers understand their requirements to avoid misleading consumers.
National information standards help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. You can find similar information standards in:
- ingredient labelling on cosmetics and toiletries
- care labels for clothing and textiles.
Penalties
The maximum penalty for each offence is $2.5 million for an individual.
For corporations the maximum pecuniary penalties for breaches are the greater of:
- $50 million
- if the Court can determine the value of the 'reasonably attributable' benefit obtained, 3 times that value, or
- if the Court cannot determine the value of the 'reasonably attributable' benefit, 30% of the corporation's adjusted turnover during the breach turnover period for the contravention.
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.
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.