The label "Country of Origin" is now mandatory on some foods

Is the bacon at the supermarket from Carterton or Copenhagen?

A bill to give consumers more information on the source of food has been adopted.

Some foods, including fresh and frozen fruits, vegetables, meat and fish, will soon have to indicate their country of origin.

Salted pork, like ham and bacon, is also covered, while canned vegetables and frozen vegetables do not require labeling.

Hughes of the Greens, who passed the bill of former MP Steffan Browning, said Morning report the new law gives New Zealanders the right to know.

"As a vegetarian, I found myself in unusual situations, spending a lot of time in the supermarkets, coolers examining the bacon package, looking at the labels," he said.

"You can not know if it's coming from Mexico, Sweden or New Zealand."

Mr Hughes expressed doubts that the new law would lead to higher prices for consumers, saying retailers were constantly changing their labels.

If prices rise, it will be "absolutely minimal", he said.

"I wanted to find something that was feasible, cheap for retailers … and that could get support from all parties, so I was extremely proud of getting a non-unanimous vote in Parliament yesterday." evening, "he said.

The law allows the government to exclude certain foods if it finds excessive labeling, or to extend labeling to other foods if necessary at a later stage.

Jessica Wilson, head of consumer research in New Zealand, said the change in the law was a necessary first step.

"Our research has shown strong support for mandatory labeling, with seven in ten consumers," she said.

She said Consumer NZ would push for more food to be included.

"At a minimum, all foods containing one ingredient should be labeled with the country of origin."

The Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is required to make regulations within 18 months.