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<pre>> Dear all,
> I've noticed an awful lot of current product out there in regional areas
> without food labelling. I thought as from this year it was compulsory to
> comply, and supply back labels with intensive info?
> As a micro-producer [ 2000 trees] I find it galling to say the least, that
> we've gone to the expense and trouble, but for what?
>
> Anybody know the deal?
>
> Margaret,
> Olive Hill Farm
> WA.

Dear Margaret,

I don't know how it works in WA, but I assume the same as NSW. Here the
State Department of Fair Trading is responsible for ensuring that the
labelling is up to scratch. I know of one business that had a visit from the
DoFT and they were told to take all products off their shelves that didn't
fit the guidelines. There was a follow-up visit two weeks later. Other than
this one isolated visit, I do not know of anybody ever questioning the
existence of nutritional information, let alone the accuracy.

I suspect that The Department might have found something more interesting to
do! Much of our locally produced product does have the correct info, and if
you wish to sell through a respectable wholesaler they will insist on
correct labelling, but if you are selling at market stalls or the farm gate
I suspect you would get away without the info for quite a while yet.

Regards,

Mike Wilson
Hunter Valley NSW.
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