the nsw food authority has set a target for a 30 per cent reduction in the number of foodborne illnesses by 2021. photo kevin stentthe nsw food authority is lobbying the federal government to simplify countryoforigin labelling laws so consumers are clear about where their food is produced.the authority&39s 20152021 food safety strategy released on thursday advocates for the clarification of countryoforigin food labels and the simplification of labels that promote kilojoule intake and the health star rating.it comes in the midst of a hepatitis a outbreak caused by frozen berries that were sourced and packed in china and sold under the brands nanna&39s and creative gourmet.a spokeswoman for the nsw food authority said that although the offending berries were compliant with food labelling requirements, the volume of product information on food packaging was confusing.it included heart foundation ticks, health star ratings, nutrition, dietary intake and country of origin."at the moment you&39ve potentially got five levels of labelling," she said. "it&39s cluttered, so i can understand why some people might not see it."a federal government working group is considering changes to food labelling.the nsw food authority has set a target for a 30 per cent reduction in the number of foodborne illnesses by 2021 in its safety strategy.this will be achieved by research into salmonella contamination, targeted audits of restaurants and cafes and working closely with poor performers.but it does not have jurisdiction over imported food, which is the responsibility of the federal department of agriculture.nsw primary industries minister katrina hodgkinson said it was a good time for people to buy local produce."safe food is big business and nsw rightly enjoys a reputation for supplying safe quality food and food products," ms hodgkinson said.foodborne illnesses cost 375 million annually in medical expenses and lost productivity, she said.choice spokesman tom godfrey said his group&39s research indicated only 12 to 13 per cent of consumers understood the food labels they read.agriculture minister barnaby joyce has accused manufacturers of exploiting australia&39s weak country of origin laws. 
