Standard 2.10.2
Salt and Salt Products
Purpose
This Standard sets out the compositional and labelling requirements for salt and salt products.
Table of Provisions
1 Interpretation
2 Composition of salt
3 Composition of reduced sodium salt mixtures
4 Composition of salt substitutes
5 Labelling of reduced sodium salt mixtures and salt substitutes
6 Composition of iodised salt
7 Composition of iodised reduced sodium salt mixtures
Clauses
1 Interpretation
In this Code –
iodised salt means a mixture of salt and –
(a) potassium iodide or potassium iodate; or
(b) sodium iodide or sodium iodate.
reduced sodium salt mixture means a product prepared from a mixture of sodium chloride and potassium chloride.
salt means 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 made as a substitute for salt consisting of permitted food additives.
2 Composition of salt
(1) Salt must contain no less than 970 g/kg sodium chloride on a dry matter basis, exclusive of permitted food additives.
(2) Salt must contain no more than –
(a) 0.5 mg/kg of arsenic; and
(b) 2 mg/kg of lead; and
(c) 0.5 mg/kg cadmium; and
(d) 0.1 mg/kg of mercury.
3 Composition of reduced sodium salt mixtures
Reduced sodium salt mixtures must contain no more than –
(a) 200 g/kg sodium; and
(b) 400 g/kg potassium.
4 Composition of salt substitutes
Salt substitutes must contain no more than 1.2 g/kg of sodium.
5 Labelling of reduced sodium salt mixtures and salt substitutes
(1) The label on a package of reduced sodium salt mixture or salt substitute –
(a) must declare the sodium and potassium content, expressed per 100 g; and
(b) may include a declaration of the percentage reduction of sodium in the reduced sodium salt mixture or salt substitute, relative to salt.
(2) A declaration in accordance with subclause (1) does not constitute a nutrition content claim or health claim for the purposes of Standard 1.2.7.
6 Composition of iodised salt
Iodised salt must contain potassium iodide or iodate, or sodium iodide or iodate equivalent
to –
(a) no less than 25 mg/kg of iodine; and
(b) no more than 65 mg/kg of iodine.
7 Composition of iodised reduced sodium salt mixtures
Iodised reduced sodium salt mixtures must contain potassium iodide or iodate, or sodium iodide or iodate equivalent to –
(a) no less than 25 mg/kg of iodine; and
(b) no more than 65 mg/kg of iodine.
Overview
The Standard 2.10.2 Salt and Salt Products, enacted in 2008, aims to establish compositional and labelling standards for salt and salt products in Australia. This legislative instrument was enacted to address the need for ensuring the quality and safety of salt and salt products available in the market, and to provide consumers with accurate information regarding the sodium content in these products. The Standard was enacted by the Parliament of Australia and its primary policy objective is to safeguard public health by regulating the composition and labelling of salt and salt products. This includes setting maximum allowable levels for contaminants such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury in salt, and mandating specific compositional requirements for reduced sodium salt mixtures, salt substitutes, and iodised salt products. Furthermore, the Standard ensures that labels on reduced sodium salt mixtures and salt substitutes provide clear information about their sodium and potassium content, thereby empowering consumers to make informed dietary choices.
Scope and Application
This Standard outlines the compositional and labelling requirements for salt, reduced sodium salt mixtures, salt substitutes, and iodised salt products within Australia. It applies to all entities involved in the production, importation, and sale of these products, ensuring that they meet specific standards for their composition and labelling. The Standard sets minimum and maximum levels for various elements and compounds within these products, such as sodium, potassium, and iodine, and mandates certain labelling requirements for reduced sodium salt mixtures and salt substitutes. The Standard's reach is nationwide, encompassing the entire Commonwealth of Australia, and it does not explicitly provide for exclusions or exemptions, implying that all relevant products must comply with its provisions. Subordinate instruments may further detail the implementation and enforcement of this Standard, extending or clarifying its application as necessary.
Key Provisions
The Standard 2.10.2 Salt and Salt Products sets out specific compositional and labelling requirements for various salt products. Section 1 provides the definitions for terms such as "iodised salt," "reduced sodium salt mixture," "salt," and "salt substitute." It clarifies that iodised salt refers to a mixture of salt and potassium or sodium iodides or iodates, while reduced sodium salt mixtures are products made from sodium chloride and potassium chloride. Salt is defined as the crystalline product predominantly of sodium chloride obtained from the sea, underground rock salt deposits, or natural brine. Salt substitutes are foods made as a substitute for salt, consisting of permitted food additives.
The obligations under this Standard require salt to contain no less than 970 g/kg sodium chloride on a dry matter basis and no more than specified levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury (Section 2). Reduced sodium salt mixtures must not contain more than 200 g/kg sodium and 400 g/kg potassium (Section 3). Salt substitutes must contain no more than 1.2 g/kg of sodium (Section 4). Furthermore, the labelling of reduced sodium salt mixtures and salt substitutes must declare the sodium and potassium content per 100 g, and optionally include the percentage reduction of sodium relative to salt (Section 5). This declaration does not constitute a nutrition or health claim. Iodised salt and iodised reduced sodium salt mixtures must contain specified amounts of iodine (Sections 6 and 7).
Failure to comply with these provisions may result in legal consequences. However, the specific offences, penalties, or civil and criminal consequences for breach are not outlined within the provided text. In general, breaches of food standards may lead to enforcement actions by regulatory authorities, which could include fines, product recalls, or other corrective actions. The maximum penalties for such breaches would depend on the specific nature of the contravention and the jurisdiction's regulatory framework.