Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.10.2 – Salt and salt products

Administered by Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Legislation au F2015L00485 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Standard 2.10.2 Salt and salt products

Note 1 This instrument is a standard under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth). The standards together make up the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. See also section 1.1.1—3.

Note 2 The provisions of the Code that apply in New Zealand are incorporated in, or adopted under, the Food Act 2014 (NZ). See also section 1.1.1—3.

2.10.2—1 Name

  This Standard is Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code Standard 2.10.2 Salt and salt products.

 Note Commencement:
This Standard commences on 1 March 2016, being the date specified as the commencement date in notices in the Gazette and the New Zealand Gazette under section 92 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth). See also section 93 of that Act.

2.10.2—2 Definitions

Note In this Code (see section 1.1.2—3):

 iodised salt or iodised reduced sodium salt mixture, means a food that is salt, or a reduced sodium salt mixture, as appropriate, or such a food containing any of the following:

 (a) potassium iodide;

 (b) potassium iodate;

 (c) sodium iodide;

 (d) sodium iodate; and

  added in an amount that is equivalent to:

 (e) no less than 25 mg/kg of iodine; and

 (f) no more than 65 mg/kg of iodine.

 reduced sodium salt mixture means a food that:

 (a) is prepared from a mixture of sodium chloride and potassium chloride; and

 (b) contains no more than 200 g/kg sodium; and

 (c) contains no more than 400 g/kg potassium.

 salt means a food that is the crystalline product consisting predominantly of sodium chloride, that is obtained from the sea, underground rock salt deposits or from natural brine.

 salt substitute means a food that:

 (a) is made as a substitute for salt; and

 (b) consists of substances that may be used as food additives in relation to salt substitute in accordance with item 12 of the table to Schedule 15; and

 (c) contains no more than 1.2 g/kg of sodium.

2.10.2—3 Requirement for food sold as salt

  A food that is sold as ‘salt’ must be salt and contain no less than 970 g/kg sodium chloride on a dry basis, exclusive of permitted additives.

2.10.2—4 Requirement for food sold as reduced sodium salt mixture

  A food that is sold as a reduced sodium salt mixture must be a reduced sodium salt mixture.

2.10.2—5 Requirement for food sold as salt substitute

  A food that is sold as a salt substitute must be salt substitute.

2.10.2—6 Requirement for food sold as iodised salt

  A food that is sold as ‘iodised’ salt must be iodised salt.

2.10.2—7 Requirement for food sold as iodised reduced sodium salt mixture

  A food that is sold as ‘iodised’ reduced sodium salt mixture must be iodised reduced sodium salt mixture.

2.10.2—8 Labelling requirement for reduced sodium salt mixtures and salt substitutes

 (1) For the labelling provisions, the required information is a declaration of the sodium and potassium content, expressed per 100 g.

 (2) The label may include a declaration of the percentage reduction of sodium in the food, relative to salt.

 (3) Such a declaration is not a nutrition content claim or a health claim.

 Note The labelling provisions are set out in Standard 1.2.1.

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Amendment History

The Amendment History provides information about each amendment to the Standard. The information includes commencement or cessation information for relevant amendments.

 

These amendments are made under section 92 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 unless otherwise indicated. Amendments do not have a specific date for cessation unless indicated as such.

 

About this compilation

 

This is a compilation of Standard 2.10.2 as in force on 1 March 2016 (up to Amendment No. 161). It includes any commenced amendment affecting the compilation to that date.

 

Prepared by Food Standards Australia New Zealand on 1 March 2016.

 

Uncommenced amendments or provisions ceasing to have effect

 

To assist stakeholders, the effect of any uncommenced amendments or provisions which will cease to have effect, may be reflected in the Standard as shaded boxed text with the relevant commencement or cessation date. These amendments will be reflected in a compilation registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments including or omitting those amendments and provided in the Amendment History once the date is passed.

 

 

The following abbreviations may be used in the table below:

 

ad = added or inserted am = amended

exp = expired or ceased to have effect rep = repealed

rs = repealed and substituted

 

Standard 2.10.2 was published in the Food Standards Gazette No. FSC96 on 10 April 2015 as part of Amendment 154 (F2015L00485 –- 2 April 2015) and has since been amended as follows:

 

Section affected

A’ment No.

FRLI registration

Gazette

Commencement

(Cessation)

How affected

Description of amendment

2.10.23

161

F2016L00120

18 Feb 2016

FSC103

22 Feb 2016

 

1 March 2016

 

am

Correction to formatting of section text.

 

Overview

The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.10.2 – Salt and Salt Products, enacted under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991, was introduced to standardise the composition and labelling of salt and salt products in Australia and New Zealand. This legislative instrument was developed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand and addresses the need for clear, consistent regulations on the types of salt products available to the public and their labelling requirements. The policy objective of this standard is to ensure that consumers are provided with accurate information about the sodium content of salt products, thereby promoting healthier dietary choices and reducing the risk of diet-related diseases. This standard, which commenced on 1 March 2016, outlines specific requirements for the composition of salt, reduced sodium salt mixtures, salt substitutes, and iodised salt, along with their respective labelling obligations.

Scope and Application

The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.10.2 – Salt and salt products applies to the manufacture, sale, and labelling of salt and salt products within Australia and New Zealand. This standard is applicable to any person or entity involved in the production, distribution, or sale of salt, reduced sodium salt mixtures, salt substitutes, and iodised salt or iodised reduced sodium salt mixtures. It specifies the composition and labelling requirements for these products, ensuring that consumers have access to accurate information about the sodium, potassium, and iodine content of the products they purchase. The Standard commenced on 1 March 2016 and is enforced under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991. Any amendments to the standard are made under section 92 of the Act and are reflected in the Amendment History, with uncommenced amendments or provisions ceasing to have effect highlighted as shaded boxed text. This standard is integral to maintaining food safety and consumer protection in the food industry across both Australia and New Zealand.

Key Provisions

Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 2.10.2 – Salt and salt products, which commenced on 1 March 2016, sets out specific requirements for the composition and labelling of salt and related products. According to section 2.10.2—3, any food sold as 'salt' must contain no less than 970 g/kg of sodium chloride on a dry basis, exclusive of permitted additives. This ensures that the product labelled as 'salt' meets the minimum sodium chloride content standards. Similarly, section 2.10.2—4 mandates that a food sold as a 'reduced sodium salt mixture' must be prepared from a mixture of sodium chloride and potassium chloride, containing no more than 200 g/kg sodium and no more than 400 g/kg potassium. Section 2.10.2—5 specifies that any food sold as a 'salt substitute' must consist of substances that are permitted as food additives in relation to salt substitute and must contain no more than 1.2 g/kg of sodium. These sections impose obligations on food manufacturers and suppliers to ensure that their products meet the defined composition standards. For instance, a product labelled as 'salt' must have a sodium chloride content of at least 970 g/kg, while a 'reduced sodium salt mixture' must adhere to the specified sodium and potassium limits. Failure to comply with these standards could result in the products being mislabelled and potentially misleading consumers regarding their nutritional content. The Act does not explicitly mention penalties for non-compliance with these standards. However, under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991, non-compliance with food standards can result in enforcement actions. Such actions could include court proceedings, fines, product recalls, or other regulatory measures to ensure compliance and protect public health and safety.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.