The Government says new food labelling rules will encourage companies in the sector to invest in innovative new products and help New Zealand in its goal of doubling food exports by 2025.
The labelling system has two standards - one for general level health claims where there are 200 pre-approved claims food producers can use if they qualify.
The second standard is for high level health claims where companies must have their label claims pre-approved by Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
Food Safety Minister Nikki Kaye says the system will give consumers added confidence that the health claims being made on the labels of food they buy are accurate.
However, she says it will also allow businesses to make more claims and give them the incentive to invest in new products.
The labelling laws come into effect in May, but Ms Kaye says the Government has deliberately built in a three-year compliance period.
