The following information is from a media release from the NSW Food Authority (NSWFA).

The NSWFA has just issued penalties against the two largest retailers in Australia for incorrect point of origin labelling on fruit. As a result, both of the stores penalised have also been placed onto the Name and Shame Register - www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/penalty-notices/

A Woolworths store was penailsed $1540 for breaching the NSW Food Act (2003) by labelling lemons as Product of Australia when they in fact came from the USA.

A Coles store was given a $880 penalty for breaching the Food Standards Code by having no Country of Origin labelling on grapefruits on sale.

Although the monetary penalty is not very large, it is the placement on the Name and Shame Register that forms a key part of the overall penalty.

The NSWFA and local NSW councils work togther to do routine audits and allergation inspections through the Food Regulation Partnership. The Partnership is aimed at making sure that labelling is correct in all retail and other food businesses.

For information about food labelling, a great resource can be found at www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/industry/food-business-issues/labelling