Infant formula products: composition and labelling requirements

Manufacturers of infant formula must meet standards 

If you make infant formula products in New Zealand or if you import these products for sale in New Zealand, you must meet the New Zealand composition and labelling requirements for these products.

From 25 September 2026, new requirements for the composition and labelling of infant formula products come into effect. You can find these in:

• Food Standard: New Zealand Infant Formula Products Standard [PDF, 420 KB]
• Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (excluding Standard 2.9.1, which applies to Australia only)

About the main changes to the requirements

The requirements have been updated and include changes to how products are formulated, labelled, and where they are sold.

Updates to compositional requirements

They are based on the latest scientific evidence, including breastmilk composition and recently updated international regulations, including:

• essential composition and permissions for nutritive substances
• food additive permissions
• contaminant limits
• clarification of novel food permissions.

Changes to labelling provisions

• Standardised nutrition information.
• A requirement for infant formula and follow-on formula products to be easily differentiated using text, imagery, and/or colours.
• Allowing declaration of milk used as an ingredient that contains A2-type beta casein on the label (a voluntary New Zealand-only change).
• Allowing labels to provide information on a product or ingredient's characteristics (a voluntary New Zealand-only change).
• Prohibiting proxy advertising.

Clarification to product categories

These include the renaming of specialised formula to 'Special Medical Purpose Products for infants' (SMPPi). These products will only be sold in specific places such as a pharmacy or bought from a medical practitioner or dietitian. They will not be available for sale in supermarkets.

Guidance document on the new standard

Our guidance document can help you understand the new requirements in New Zealand.

Guidance: New Zealand Infant Formula Products Standard [PDF, 416 KB]

A 3-year transition period applies

Businesses have a transition period from 25 September 2026 to 13 September 2029 to adjust to the New Zealand Infant Formula Products Standard.

During the transition period, infant formula products must fully meet the requirements of either:

• the Food Standard: New Zealand Infant Formula Products Standard and associated standards and schedules in the Food Standards Code, or
• the previous New Zealand requirements for infant formula products in the Food Standards Code as at 12 September 2024. 

After the transition period ends, all infant formula products for sale in New Zealand must meet the New Zealand Infant Formula Products Standard.

Exporting infant formula products

To export infant formula products, you’'l need to meet the rules for New Zealand products (unless you have an exemption) as well as the rules in your destination market.

Exports to Australia

Following the gazettal of P1028, Australia has set a transition period of 5 years. The transition period ends on 13 September 2029.

During the transition period, infant formula products may be sold in Australia if they comply with either the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code as in force prior to the gazettal of changes under P1028 or the revised Australian requirements made under P1028.

P1028 infant formula – Food Standards Australia New Zealand

Exports to countries other than Australia

If exporting infant formula products to countries other than Australia, you may be able to use an exemption to meet the importing country requirements.

Exempting food exports from New Zealand requirements