Standard 2.6.1
Fruit Juice and Vegetable Juice
Purpose
This Standard defines fruit and vegetable juice, sets certain compositional permissions for the product and specifies labelling requirements for juice blends.
Table of Provisions
1 Interpretation
2 Composition
3 Labelling of juice blend
Clauses
1 Interpretation
In this Code –
fruit juice or vegetable juice means the liquid portion, with or without pulp, obtained from –
(a) fruit or vegetables respectively; and
(b) in the case of citrus fruit, other than lime, the endocarp only of the fruit;
and includes products that have been concentrated and later reconstituted with water to a concentration consistent with that of the undiluted juice from which it was made.
juice blend means juice made from a blend of more than one juice.
2 Composition
Fruit juice or vegetable juice may have added to it any of the following foods –
(a) for vegetable juice, sugars;
(b) for fruit juice, no more than 40 g/kg of sugars; and
(c) salt; and
(d) herbs and spices.
3 Labelling of juice blend
(1) Subject to subclause (2), the label on a package of juice blend must include –
(a) the names of each juice present in the blend; and
(b) the percentage by volume of each juice present in the blend.
(2) Subclause (1) does not apply to orange juice which contains no more than ten % in total of –
(a) mandarin juice; or
(b) tangelo juice;
or both.
Editorial note:
See Part 1.2 – Labelling and Other Information Requirements of this Code for general labelling requirements. See Standard 1.3.1 – Food Additives for limits for additives for fruit juice and vegetable juice. See Standard 1.3.3 – Processing Aids for requirements for processing aids in the production of fruit juice and vegetable juice.
Overview
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 was enacted to ensure food safety and accurate labelling, aiming to protect public health and provide consumers with truthful and comprehensive information about food products. The Act was introduced to address gaps in food regulation, ensuring that food sold in Australia and New Zealand is safe, genuine, and properly labelled. Enacted by the Parliament of Australia, the policy objective of this legislation is to safeguard public health by establishing and enforcing food standards, among other things. One specific legislative instrument under this Act, F2008B00648, pertains to the Standard 2.6.1 Fruit Juice and Vegetable Juice. This standard aims to define what constitutes fruit and vegetable juice, set compositional allowances for these products, and specify the labelling requirements for juice blends. The standard ensures that consumers are well-informed about the contents of the juice they purchase, promoting transparency and informed consumer choices.
Scope and Application
This Standard applies to the definitions, composition, and labelling requirements of fruit and vegetable juices, as well as juice blends, within Australia. It is applicable to any entity or individual producing, processing, or selling fruit or vegetable juices and juice blends. The Standard defines what constitutes fruit juice and vegetable juice, including the allowable components such as sugars, salt, herbs, and spices. It also outlines the labelling requirements for juice blends, mandating the names of each juice present and their respective percentages by volume, with exceptions for certain types of orange juice blends. The Standard's application extends to the entire nation, as it is part of a broader set of national food standards. However, the specific application and enforcement may vary across different states and territories under the overarching framework of Australia's national food legislation. The Standard does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions but refers to other related provisions for additional context and limits on additives and processing aids.
Key Provisions
The Standard 2.6.1 Fruit Juice and Vegetable Juice outlines the definition, composition, and labelling requirements for fruit and vegetable juices. Section 1 provides an interpretation of the terms used in the standard, specifying what constitutes fruit juice or vegetable juice and the inclusion of juice blends. Fruit juice or vegetable juice is defined as the liquid portion obtained from fruit or vegetables, including products that have been concentrated and later reconstituted with water. A juice blend is defined as juice made from a blend of more than one juice.
Section 2 specifies the compositional requirements for fruit and vegetable juice. It permits the addition of certain foods to the juice, such as sugars for vegetable juice, no more than 40 g/kg of sugars for fruit juice, salt, herbs, and spices. These provisions ensure that consumers are aware of the ingredients in their juice products and that manufacturers adhere to compositional standards.
Section 3 addresses the labelling requirements for juice blends. The label on a package of juice blend must include the names of each juice present in the blend and the percentage by volume of each juice. However, this requirement does not apply to orange juice that contains no more than ten percent of mandarin juice or tangelo juice, or both. These labelling requirements aim to provide consumers with transparent and accurate information about the composition of their juice products.
The Standard imposes obligations on manufacturers and suppliers to ensure that their juice products comply with the compositional and labelling requirements outlined in the legislation. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in legal consequences, including penalties and enforcement actions. The Standard also provides for civil and criminal penalties for breaches of the compositional and labelling requirements, with the specific penalties outlined in other relevant legislation. Compliance with the Standard is essential to protect consumer interests and ensure the safety and quality of fruit and vegetable juice products in the market.