NIP Requirements Australia 2025

A Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) is legally required on most packaged foods sold in Australia under Standard 1.2.8 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The panel sets out the average energy and nutrient content of a food so buyers can compare products and make informed choices. If you package food for retail sale, understanding when a NIP applies — and when it does not — is a core part of your labelling compliance. This guide explains the nutrition information panel requirements in Australia in plain English: which foods need a NIP, the mandatory nutrients it must declare, how to present values per serving and per 100g, the main exemptions, and what changes when you add a nutrition or health claim. What Is a Nutrition Information Panel? A Nutrition Information Panel is the standardised table on packaged food that lists the average quantity of energy and key nutrients. It is governed by Standard 1.2.8 of the Food Standards Code , administered by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). The NIP is distinct from the ingredient list and the allergen declaration, though all three usually appear together on the label. The purpose of the panel is consistency. Because every NIP uses the same format, a shopper can compare two products side by side and read energy, sugars or sodium the same way every time. When Is a NIP Required? A NIP is required on most packaged food offered for retail sale in Australia. If your product is sold in a package that a customer takes away, the default position is that it needs a compliant panel. Common exemptions Standard 1.2.8 provides several exemptions. A NIP is generally not required for: Food sold unpackaged, such as loose produce or food made and packed at the point of sale on request Very small packages with a surface area of less than 100 square centimetres (though a NIP must be provided on request) Food sold at fundraising events Herbs, spices, tea, coffee, and some single-ingredient foods Made-to-order food served in a restaurant or cafe for immediate consumption Exemptions are lost the moment you make a nutrition content or health claim. If your muffin packaging says "high in fibre", you must display a NIP even if the product would otherwise be exempt. What Must a NIP Show? Under Standard 1.2.8, a Nutrition Information Panel must declare seven pieces of information as a minimum. These are: Energy in kilojoules (kJ) Protein in grams (g) Fat, total in grams (g) Saturated fat in grams (g) Carbohydrate, total in grams (g) Sugars in grams (g) Sodium in milligrams (mg) Additional nutrients must be declared when you make a claim about them. For example, a fibre claim triggers a mandatory dietary fibre line, and a calcium claim triggers a calcium declaration. The panel must list nutrients in the prescribed order and format. Per Serving and Per 100g: How to Present Values The NIP must show the average quantity of each nutrient in two columns: per serving and per 100g (or per 100mL for liquids). You must also state the serving size and the number of servings per package. The per-100g column is what lets shoppers compare products of different pack sizes on an equal footing. Nutrition and Health Claims (Standard 1.2.7) If you make a nutrition content claim such as "low fat" or "high fibre", or a health claim linking a nutrient to a health effect, the additional conditions in Standard 1.2.7 apply. Claims must meet defined qualifying criteria, and you must hold evidence to substantiate them. Do not make a claim you cannot support with records. Making an unsupported claim also removes any NIP exemption you might otherwise have relied on. How Do You Calculate the Values for a NIP? You can derive NIP values in two main ways: Laboratory analysis of a representative sample of the finished product, which is the most robust method for complex or highly processed foods. Calculation from ingredient data , using validated nutrient composition databases and supplier specifications for each ingredient, adjusted for the recipe and any losses during cooking. Whichever method you use, keep the underlying records. If an environmental health officer or FSANZ queries a panel, you need to show how each figure was reached. Hospitality Implications: Kilojoule Labelling Most cafes and restaurants are exempt from displaying a NIP on plated, made-to-order meals. However, separate menu kilojoule (energy) labelling laws apply to large chain food outlets in several states, including New South Wales, the ACT, South Australia, Queensland and Victoria. These schemes require standard menu items to display their average energy content at the point of sale. The exact thresholds and rules vary by state, so check your local requirements rather than assuming a single national rule. If you operate across multiple states, treat each jurisdiction's requirements separately, and see our state food safety guides for links to local regulators. Format and Legibility Rules A NIP is only useful if a shopper can actually read it. The Food Standards Code sets expectations for how required information is presented so it is legible and prominent. In practice this means: Present the panel in the standard tabular format with nutrients in the prescribed order. Use a legible type size and clear contrast against the background so the figures are easy to read. Keep the panel intact — do not split it awkwardly around graphics or seams. State values in the required units (kJ for energy, g for macronutrients, mg for sodium). Small packages with less than 100 square centimetres of surface area have some concessions, but you must still provide the nutrition information on request. Common NIP Mistakes to Avoid Recurring errors that attract attention from regulators and can trigger corrective action include: Inconsistent serving sizes that make a product look healthier than a realistic portion would. Values that do not add up — for example, saturated fat exceeding total fat, which signals a calculation error. M