THAT it took a spate of hepatitis A poisonings from imported berries to spark action on food labelling laws is a pity.
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That we are finally seeing action on an issue of such critical national importance is a relief.
Yesterday’s announcement the federal government would pursue a dramatic overhaul of country of origin labelling is no great political epiphany, it’s simply common sense.
For too long, politicians have talked about food labelling laws and done little.
The reason, like most reasons for inaction by Canberra, lies in the pervasive power of lobby groups.
Food manufacturers equal big business, and big business equals political influence.
Manufacturers have trotted out the same line whenever the labelling debate crops up, claiming a change in laws would place an unreasonable cost burden on businesses by forcing them to alter labels to reflect ingredient changes.
This is rubbish, a red herring designed to obfuscate the facts.
A simple trip to the supermarket will reveal food companies regularly change their packaging for marketing purposes.
The real reason food manufacturers don’t want truth in labelling is that the truth is bad for business.
Consider the absurd situation facing the citrus industry.
Despite bearing about as much resemblance to real fruit juice as a finger painting bears to the Mona Lisa, imported concentrate dominates its fresher and locally produced rivals.
And yet juice products can be labelled “Made in Australia” when in fact only the carton and label are manufactured locally.
This is a blatant attempt to hoodwink shoppers into believing they are buying Australian juice when in fact they’re spending their hard-earned on the equivalent of a Chinese-made Rolex knock-off.
Other food industries are caught in the same web of lies.
Farmers don’t want handouts, they want a fair go so consumers can make up their own minds on which products to buy.
Surely that’s not too much to ask.