Energy Labelling on Alcoholic Beverages

As noted in previous member updates (November, December 2024) , Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) has been in the process of finalising new requirements for energy labelling on alcoholic beverages (Proposal P1059) and carbohydrate and sugar claims on alcoholic beverages (Proposal P1049). These proposals have been the subject of extensive consultation over several years with Australian Grape & Wine and others directly engaged in both the public and targeted consultations.

On 26 March 2025 the FSANZ board held an extraordinary meeting to consider these proposals. FSANZ approved both proposals which will now be notified to The Food Ministers’ Meeting. The Food Ministers will have 60 days to either request FSANZ to review the approved standard, or inform FSANZ that it does not intend to request a review. If no review is requested by the Ministers, these changes will be made to the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Of greatest importance, the energy labelling on alcoholic beverages (Proposal P1059), includes requirements for alcoholic beverages sold in Australia to apply a mandatory “ENERGY INFORMATION” table to the label as per the below example:

• There will be a 3 year transition period from Gazettal of the changes and allowances for stock in trade which was produced and labelled before entry into force.
• Generic requirements for statements to be legible, prominent and in English, as set out in section 1.2.1—24 of the Code, apply to the energy statement. No additional requirements for legibility, size or location will be prescribed.

We are continuing to seek further detail on some of the provisions approved by FSANZ. The approvals report with further details of the P1059 changes can be downloaded at the FSANZ website here.

Australian Grape & Wine will work with State Associations, New Zealand Winegrowers and other alcohol industries to continue to advocate to Ministers on these changes.