In Australia, a "complete" meal replacement has a legal definition. A formulated meal replacement must deliver at least 850 kJ and 12g of protein per serve, plus at least a quarter of the recommended daily intake of a set list of vitamins and minerals. Here's what the standard requires, how to check a label in 30 seconds, and how the QOTA range measures up.
Three meanings of "complete"
You'll see "complete" on a lot of Australian shelves, and it's used three ways:
- Complete protein — a protein with all nine essential amino acids. Says nothing about the rest of the meal.
- "Complete nutrition" as marketing — often a protein shake with some vitamins added.
- Formulated meal replacement — the only one with a legal definition in Australia, under Food Standards Code Standard 2.9.3.
What the Australian standard actually requires
Standard 2.9.3 defines a formulated meal replacement as a food "specifically formulated as a replacement for one or more meals of the day, but not as a total diet replacement", and represented as a formulated meal replacement. Per serve, it must meet:
| Requirement | Minimum per serve | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 850 kJ | Below this it's a snack, whatever the packaging says |
| Protein | 12g | A low floor — most products clear it easily |
| Vitamins and minerals | At least 25% of the recommended daily intake of each on a prescribed list | This is where products really differ |
| Name on the label | "Formulated meal replacement" | If it's not there, it isn't sold as one |
| Label statement | Words to the effect that it must not be used as a total diet replacement | It replaces meals, not your whole diet |
What "complete" doesn't mean
Meeting the standard means a product can replace one or two meals a day as part of a varied diet. And it also doesn't make every shake equal. Two products can both be sold as meal replacements and differ a lot in energy per serve, protein and how many vitamins and minerals they include.
How to check a label in 30 seconds
- Look for the words "formulated meal replacement".
- Check energy per serve. 850 kJ is the minimum. A full meal is closer to 2,000 kJ.
- Check protein per serve. 12g meets the minimum but 30g is a proper meal.
- Count the vitamins and minerals, then check the % RDI column. The number matters less than the amount of each.
The QOTA range against the standard
QOTA is made and labelled as a formulated meal replacement, with 26 vitamins and minerals, most at 25% of the recommended daily intake per serve. Figures below are from our labels.
| Product | Energy per serve | Protein | Sugars per 100g | Health Stars | Per meal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complete Chocolate | 2,060 kJ | 30.2g | 2.2g | 4.5 | $4.21 |
| Complete Vanilla | 2,060 kJ | 30.4g | 3.2g | 4.5 | $4.21 |
| Complete Salted Caramel | 2,060 kJ | 30.4g | 3.2g | 4.0 | $4.21 |
| Complete Coffee | 2,040 kJ | 30.2g | 6.1g | 4.0 | $4.21 |
| High Protein Chocolate | 2,095 kJ | 40.6g | 5.9g | 4.0 | $4.86 |
| Vegan | 2,080 kJ | 30.7g | 1.4g | 4.0 | $3.93 |
| Moroccan Cous Cous (hot) | 1,970 kJ | 30.5g | 4.1g | 4.0 | $4.21 |
| Low-Carb Chocolate | 870 kJ (1,640 kJ with olive oil) | 30g | 6g | — | $3.61 |
| Low-Carb Vanilla | 893 kJ (1,670 kJ with olive oil) | 31g | 5.8g | — | $3.61 |
The Complete range, High Protein Chocolate and Moroccan Cous Cous are full meals of around 2,000 kJ. The Low-Carb range is a lighter meal that still clears the 850 kJ minimum made with water alone, with the option of adding olive oil. Subscribe to any pouch and save 10%.
"Total meal replacement" is something else
You'll see "total meal replacement" used two ways. Overseas it usually describes clinical total diet replacement programmes. In Australia it's also the name of a product sold by Bulk Nutrients. We've compared it with our closest equivalent in Bulk Nutrients Total Meal Replacement vs QOTA Low-Carb.
Frequently asked questions
Is a complete meal replacement the same as a protein shake?
No. A protein shake is built around protein. A formulated meal replacement has to meet minimum energy, protein and vitamin and mineral levels, and carry the name and label statement the standard requires.
Can I replace every meal with meal replacements?
No. Formulated meal replacements in Australia are for one or more meals a day, not your whole diet, and the label has to say so.
How many vitamins and minerals should a complete meal replacement have?
The standard sets minimum amounts of a prescribed list rather than a headline count, so check the % RDI column, not just the number. QOTA contains 26 vitamins and minerals.
Is QOTA made in Australia?
Yes. QOTA has been made in Melbourne since 2015 and ships free Australia wide.
Try QOTA
Start with QOTA Samplers — four meals of any flavour for $20 — or the QOTA Starter Bundle: two samplers and a shaker for $40.
Shop QOTA — from $3.28 a meal →
Standard 2.9.3 requirements from the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. QOTA figures from product labels. Health Star Ratings are per product; the Low-Carb range is not rated here.