When you’re strolling through the supermarket aisle, grabbing what you think is locally made bacon or ham, you may not realize that you’re actually picking up imported pork. With Christmas around the corner, Aussie shoppers are being urged to double-check the labels on their meat products as misleading details are causing confusion.
The Misleading “Australian-Made” Label
Australians are being misled by the common “Australian-made” logo that appears on many supermarket meat products. While this logo signals that a product was processed, packaged, or cooked in Australia, it doesn’t mean that the meat was actually raised here. In fact, up to 70% of the bacon and ham sold on supermarket shelves comes from imported pork, much of it from countries like the US and Europe. That’s a huge chunk of the product that’s made overseas, and many shoppers are shocked to learn the truth.
Margo Andrae, CEO of Australian Pork Limited (APL), explained that shoppers would likely be appalled if they knew how much of the pork used in their beloved Christmas ham came from other countries. It’s not so much about the higher price tag of Australian pork, which now only costs about $1 more per kilo than imported options, but the fact that consumers think they’re supporting local farmers when they’re actually not.
“I think it’s about choice, and shoppers knowing what they’re really buying,” Andrae said to Yahoo News. “It’s just not a fair playing field when cheap imports undercut Australian farmers.”
Imported Meat Undercutting Aussie Farmers
The issue isn’t just about labeling—it’s also about the broader economic impact. Imported pork, which is often cheaper, has led to local farmers being undercut, especially since the volume of imported bacon and ham has quadrupled since the early 2000s. These imports often come from countries where production costs are much lower, allowing supermarkets to offer competitively priced processed meats year-round.
Australian pork producers, who operate under much higher welfare, sustainability, and biosecurity standards, are struggling to compete. Despite contributing significantly to the national economy, they’re finding it hard to keep up when they’re priced out by cheaper, mass-produced imports.
What Can You Do?
To make sure you’re buying locally, look for the bar chart on the packaging. This simple chart shows the percentage of Australian ingredients used in the product, with anything above 80% being a reliable indicator that you’re supporting Aussie farmers. For example, if you see that your ham has a bar that’s nearly full, you can feel good about your purchase.
It’s particularly important during the holiday season when Aussies are buying up to 1.6 million Christmas hams. Many want to make sure they’re supporting local producers, but unfortunately, they often end up choosing imported products without realizing it.
Why the Push for Clearer Labels?
There’s a growing push for clearer country-of-origin labeling. According to research, 87% of Australian shoppers want better labeling to help them choose local produce confidently. With Christmas approaching, the timing of these calls couldn’t be better. Australian Pork Limited is calling for the removal of the kangaroo logo unless the product is entirely “Product of Australia.”
They believe that products like ham and bacon should be labeled only if they meet strict Australian production criteria. This would allow consumers to know for sure that they are getting Australian pork when they pick up their favorite festive meats.
Moving Forward
While the “Australian-made” logo may be confusing, there’s hope for a clearer and more honest system. As consumers, we all have a role to play by demanding transparency in labeling and being more mindful of where our food comes from. After all, as Andrae put it, “If our pork product has a bone, you can guarantee it’s one of our own.”
