20 Aug 2007

AUCKLAND: Momentum for country of origin food labels is growing after a major food retailer announced yesterday it would introduce the labels because of customer demand.
    Foodstuffs NZ hopes to have its new labelling policy implemented nationwide by December.
    It will apply to fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood sold in Pak’N Save, New World, Write Price, Shoprite supermarkets and Four Square stores.
    It will not apply to processed foods, which often have more than one ingredient.
    Foodstuffs executive manager Melissa Hodd said the policy was customerdriven, rather than a food safety issue.
    ‘‘We’ve had increased consumer
inquiries about it, and have noted a change in consumer mood about this issue,’’ Ms Hodd said.
    It follows a Green Party petition calling for mandatory country of origin labelling for foods with one main component.
    Food safety spokeswoman Sue Kedgley hailed the Foodstuffs move as a ‘‘victory for consumers’’ and challenged other food retailers to do the same.
    Progressive Enterprises, which runs Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown supermarkets, has a policy of using country of origin labels on fresh fruit and vegetable imports.
    The Government has rejected calls for mandatory country of origin labelling for food, saying it is not an issue of food safety. Such issues are managed by the NZ Food Safety Authority. — The New Zealand Herald