Fifth Meeting
Canberra
5-6 March 2003
SUMMARY OF KEY OUTCOMES
Food Standards Matters
Proposal P239 –Listeria Risk Assessment and Risk Management Strategy
On 6 December 2002, the Ministerial Council requested a review of a draft variation to Standard 1.6.1 as notified to the Council on 13 November 2002 in relation to P239 – Listeria Risk Assessment and Risk Management Strategy. This Proposal reviewed the appropriateness of the microbiological limits for Listeria monocytogenes in some foods, including cooked crustacea and ready-to-eat processed finfish (such as cold smoked salmon) in protecting public health, while providing minimum effective regulation. In particular, the Council requested a review of the proposed microbiological limits in cooked crustacea. In response to the request and having regard to the issues raised by the Council, the Board has reviewed its decision and re-affirmed its original approval of the draft variation. The Board agreed to the First Review Report and the proposed draft variations to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and the Board’s decision will now be notified to Ministers.
ApplicationA438 - Gamma Cyclodextrin as a Novel Food Ingredient / Food Additive
The Board considered the Final Assessment Report for an Application which seeks permission for the use of Gamma cyclodextrin as a novel food ingredient / food additive. Gamma cyclodextrin is considered a novel food ingredient because it is a non-traditional food for which there is insufficient knowledge in the broad community to ensure safe use in the form in which it is presented. The Board agreed to the Final Assessment Report and the proposed draft variations to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and the Board’s decision will now be notified to Ministers.
Application A466 – Food Enzyme, Transglucosidase
The Board considered the Final Assessment Report for an Application which seeks permission for the use of an enzyme transglucosidase sourced from Aspergillus nigeras a processing aid. Approval will allow manufacturers to use the enzyme, in particular to produce isomalto-oligosaccharide sugar syrups for use as a food ingredient. The Board agreed to the Final Assessment Report and the proposed draft variations to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and the Board’s decision will now be notified to Ministers.
Application A468 – Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs)
The Board considered the Final Assessment Report for an Application amending MRLs for agricultural and veterinary chemicals in foods. The Board agreed to the Final Assessment Report and the proposed draft variations to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and the Board’s decision will now be notified to Ministers.
Application A478 - Deletion of Certain Brassica and Leafy Vegetable MRLs for Endosulfan
The Board considered the Final Assessment Report for an Application which seeks to remove some MRLs for endosulfan that may result in an unacceptable risk to public health and safety. The Board agreed to the Final Assessment Report and the proposed draft variations to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and the Board’s decision will now be notified to Ministers.
Application A452 – TwinSweet
The Board considered the Initial / Draft Assessment Report for an Application which seeks approval for a new intense sweetener, aspartame-acesulphame salt. Aspartame-acesulphame salt is a combination of two already approved sweeteners, aspartame and acesulphame potassium. The Board considered the issues raised did not adversely affect the interests of any person or body and therefore agreed that only one round of public consultation need occur. The Board agreed to the Initial / Draft Assessment Report which will be released in the near future for public consultation, prior to further consideration by the Board.
Application A475 - Hexose oxidase, Enzyme
The Board considered the Draft Assessment Report for an Application which seeks approval for the use of an enzyme, hexose oxidase from a genetically modified host bacterial strain, as a processing aid. Its main application is in bread making to increase dough strength and bread volume; other applications are in cheese and tofu manufacture. The Board agreed to the Draft Assessment Report which will be released in the near future for public consultation, prior to further consideration by the Board.
Proposal P273 – Intense Sweeteners in Low-Joule Jelly
The Board considered the Initial / Draft Assessment Report for a Proposal which seeks to permit the use of cyclamates and saccharin in low joule jelly. Cyclamates and saccharin are widely used in jellies and this Proposal aims to remove a regulatory anomaly. The Board considered the issues raised did not adversely affect the interests of any person or body and only one round of public consultation need occur. The Board agreed to the Initial / Draft Assessment Report which will be released in the near future for public consultation, prior to further consideration by the Board.
Proposal P260 – Use of Medicinal Herbs in Food
The Board considered the Initial Assessment Report for a Proposal which considers the use of medicinal herbs (i.e. non-culinary herbs) in foods. There has been an increase in both the number and extent of use of medicinal herbs in food products, particularly beverages, but also energy bars. The majority of these herbs, while they may have a tradition of use as therapeutic substances, have not been assessed for their safety as food ingredients. The Board agreed to the Initial Assessment Report and noted that the timing of its release for public consultation, prior to further consideration by the Board, will be subject to further consultation with the Food Regulation Standing Committee.
Proposal P236 - Sports Foods
The Board considered a proposed Draft Assessment Report for a Proposal relating to the development of an Australian and New Zealand Standard for sports foods. FSANZ is waiting on policy direction from the Ministerial Council on a number of issues which impact on the matters covered by this Proposal, such as fortification and health claims. The Board has therefore deferred making a decision on the Draft Assessment Report, until after the Ministerial Council has determined its policy position.
Update on dietary supplements
The Board considered a proposed Draft Assessment Report for a Proposal which reviews the current regulatory situation for dietary supplements which are currently manufactured in New Zealand, and which can be exported to Australia. The Board deferred making a decision on the Proposal pending further development of Ministerial policy Guidelines on dietary supplements.
Proposal P265 – Development of a Primary Production and Processing Standard for Seafood
The Board was updated on progress with the development of a Primary Production and Processing Standard for Seafood. The Issues Paper for public comment was published in the media and on the FSANZ website, promoted through the FSANZ Information Service and actively promoted to key stakeholders by members of the Seafood Standard Development Committee. The public comment period ran from 18 December 2002 until 28 February 2003.
Other matters
Business Plan activities
The Board considered a draft Business Plan for FSANZ for 2003-04. The Business Plan is being developed to address the changed regulatory environment and is expected to achieve savings to help meet the costs of new functions.
Meeting with the Australian Consumers’ Association (ACA)
The Board met with the Ms Louise Sylvan, CEO of ACA. GM food, labelling issues, icon foods, bio terrorism, irradiation, differences of perception of risk between scientists versus consumers, mechanisms for gaining further consumer participation, changes to regulatory authorities and strengthening ties between FSANZ and ACA were discussed.
Meeting with the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC)
The Board met with Dr Dave Roberts (AFGC Scientific and Technical Director) and AFGC Board members Mr Rob Gordon (Vice-Chairman), Mr Mike Adams and Mr Warwick White. Issues of mutual interest were discussed including FSANZ’s consultation processes, AFGC input into FSANZ’s consultation and how the terminology used by FSANZ could be made clearer to ensure a clear understanding of its intended meaning.
MRL- Setting Process
To assist its decision-making capabilities and gain a better understanding of the assessment processes for MRLs undertaken by other agencies, and FSANZ’s relationships with the agencies concerned, the Board was provided with a presentation by senior staff from FSANZ, the Office of Chemical Safety (Therapeutic Goods Administration) and the National Registration Authority. Discussion centred around current principles and practices and future challenges.
Regulatory Management of Contaminants
To assist its decision-making capabilities in relation to food contaminants, the Board was provided with a presentation by senior staff on the regulatory management of contaminants. Discussion centred around issues relating to a framework for contaminants and emerging issues, including risk assessment, risk management and risk communication.
Safety of Soy-based Infant Formula
The Board was updated on the safety of soy-based infant formula in the light of a recent UK review of phytoestrogens and health. FSANZ staff have reviewed the recent (October 2002) draft report of the UK Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) entitled Phytoestrogens and Health, in response to the request by the Ministerial Council to monitor international and scientific developments on the safety of soy-based infant formula. The COT Report is a comprehensive review of the available scientific literature on the potential health effects of phytoestrogens from a variety of sources, including food and dietary supplements, on the general population. It also provides specific assessment of potential health effects on special population groups, including infants.
This draft Report, which is now in the consultation phase, in general, found no conclusive evidence of adverse health effects of soy-based infant formula. The UK Committee, however, noted that the currently available data in humans was still somewhat limited.
Equivalence Guidelines
The Board considered a paper on the status of work being undertaken by FSANZ to develop guidelines for the determination of equivalence of food safety measures. The purpose of the guidelines will be to ensure that objective, consistent and transparent outcomes are achieved by FSANZ. These guidelines are based on the approach used by the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS).
Criteria for supporting External Research and Educational Activities
FSANZ consistently receives requests for, is advised of, or in some cases solicits, opportunities for involvement in research and educational activities with external research and academic agencies. These include undertaking an advisory or supervisory role on student projects, contributions to undergraduate teaching on food regulatory issues, supporting funding initiatives prepared by academic and research agencies. FSANZ may also play a direct role in research of relevance to FSANZ’s functions through making statements of general support, in-kind contributions, collaborative projects or direct financial support.
The Board endorsed a proposed set of criteria to assist FSANZ establish the relative merits of its involvement in research and educational activities with external research and academic institutions. The criteria will facilitate consistent and transparent decision-making and cost-effective allocation of resources.