From Label to Liable: Scams, Scandals and Secrecy - Voiceless

food movement is emerging in Australia and overseas and with it, consumers are dictating a new course in
food production.
Prompted by a torrent of media and literary debate, consumers are increasingly calling for the right to
make informed food choices. Inherent in this call is the demand for truth in food labelling. To date,
Australian producers have responded to changing consumer sentiment by eagerly embracing third party
certification programs promising ‘free-range’ and ‘organic’ standards, as well as a number of animal industry
accreditation schemes. However, in the absence of a legislative regime for labelling animal-derived food
products, these programs provide limited assurance to consumers who may be deceived by feel-good
marketing images and labels implying high animal welfare standards.
This Report has been produced by Voiceless to highlight the inadequacies in the current system of labelling
animal-derived food products in Australia. It surveys the existing voluntary labelling regimes and highlights
international trends towards mandatory labelling.
We believe this Report will encourage consumers to consider how their food travels from ‘farm to fork’.
We hope that it will lead lawmakers to make the changes necessary to ensure that consumers have the
ability to make animal-friendly choices at the supermarket.
For further information contact:
Voiceless, the fund for animals
2 Paddington Street Paddington NSW 2021 AUSTRALIA
Tel: (02) 9357 0723 Fax: (02) 9357 0711
Email: info@voiceless.org.au Web: http://www.voiceless.org.au
This report has been produced by Voiceless and endorsed by:
Animals Australia
Compassion In World Farming (CIWF)
World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
Disclaimer: Voiceless Limited ABN 49 108 494 631 is not a legal practice and does not give legal advice
to individuals or organisations. While Voiceless has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of
information presented in this Report, it does not guarantee the accuracy, currency or completeness of
that information. Information is provided by Voiceless as general information only and any use of or
reliance on it should only be undertaken on a strictly voluntary basis after an independent review by a
qualified legal practitioner (or other expert). Voiceless is not responsible for, and disclaims all liability
for, any loss or damage arising out of the use of or reliance on information in this Report.
© May 2007 ISBN 978-0-9803740-0-1 (paperback format).
ISBN 978-0-9803740-1-8 (online format).
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From Label to Liable Lifting the veil on animal-derived food product labelling in Australia