Country of Origin labelling a boost for Nestlé’s Gympie coffee factory

27/9/2017

Country of Origin labelling a boost for Nestlé’s Gympie coffee factory

Nestlé Australia is one of the growing number of companies rolling out Australia’s new Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) early, making it easier for consumers to buy locally made products. 

Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Luke Hartsuyker, and the Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, visited the Nestlé factory in Gympie, Queensland to see how Nestlé is working to rollout Australia’s new CoOL, ahead of the 30 June 2018 deadline.

Minister Hartsuyker thanked Nestlé for its commitment to informing their customers about how much of their products are produced in Australia, including coffee, which is not mandatory under the changes.

“By voluntarily adding the CoOL to its products, Nestlé is recognising the importance of keeping customers informed,” Minister Hartsuyker said.

“Australians want to know the origin of what they are buying at the grocery store, including where it was packed and how much was sourced from Australian farmers.

“For most food made, grown or produced in Australia, labels will feature the kangaroo in a triangle symbol and a bar chart indicating the percentage of Australian ingredients.

“It’s a system that’s good for Australian consumers and for local food producers—a win-win.

“We want to help businesses with the process, and a range of assistance is available including an online tool to help them identify appropriate labelling for their products,” said Minister Hartsuyker.

Mr O’Brien said he was delighted to see well-known Gympie businesses adopting the changes early on, and encouraged other businesses, both in Wide Bay and across the country to get on board with the new reforms.

“Nestlé’s coffee processing factory is a major local employer and an important part of the Gympie community and has been for over 60 years,” Mr O’Brien said.

“We are already seeing the new labels on a number of Nestlé’s products and they will continue to rollout the labels across their range. 

“It’s exciting to see the new labels on a number of Nestlé’s products and they will continue to rollout the labels throughout its product lines including its iconic Nescafe coffee brand,” said Mr O’Brien.

“These labels will help more Australians to choose this locally processed product and that’s good for jobs in Gympie.”

The tool and other support for business can be found at business.gov.au/foodlabels or by calling the contact centre on 13 28 46.

More information for consumers can be found at foodlabels.industry.gov.au