NINTH MEETING
Canberra, Australia
9 December 2004
DRAFT SUMMARY OF KEY OUTCOMES
Food Standards Matters
Application A454 - Bacillus cereusin Infant Formula
The Board considered the Preliminary Final Assessment Report for an Application which seeks amendments to vary the microbiological limit for Bacillus cereus in infant formula products, on the basis that the current standard is too restrictive and cannot be complied with consistently under good manufacturing and hygienic practice. The Board recommended that in response to concerns raised by the Kahui Kounga Kai (the Maori Reference Group) regarding the storage practices of infant formula, that the development of an education strategy in conjunction with the New Zealand Ministry of Health be initiated. The Board agreed to the Preliminary Final Assessment Report, which will be considered as a Final Assessment in January 2004.
Application A459 – Spirits & Liqueurs – Geographic Names
The Board considered the Preliminary Final Assessment Report for an Application which looks to close a potential loophole in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to prevent bulk spirits being bottled in another country at a percentage alcohol by volume below that permitted by the laws of that country of origin and then imported and sold in Australia or New Zealand under that country’s Geographic Indication. The Board agreed to the Preliminary Final Assessment Report, which will be considered as a Final Assessment in January 2004
Application A463 – Copper Citrate as a Processing Aid in Wine
The Board considered the Preliminary Final Assessment Report for an Application which seeks to permit copper citrate (2% on a calcium bentonite base) as a processing aid in the production of wine. The product containing copper citrate is commercially known as Kupzit R. The Board agreed to the Preliminary Final Assessment Report, which will be considered as a Final Assessment in January 2004.
Application A472 – D-Tagatose as a Novel Food
The Board considered the Preliminary Final Assessment Report for an Application which seeks to permit the use of D-tagatose as a novel food ingredient. Standard 1.5.1 Novel Foods of the Code requires that novel foods undergo a pre-market safety assessment before they may be sold in Australia and New Zealand. The Board agreed to the Preliminary Final Assessment Report, which will be considered as a Final Assessment in January 2004.
Application A481 – Food Derived from Glufosinate Ammonium tolerant Soybean Lines A2704-12 and A5547-127
The Board considered the Preliminary Final Assessment Report for an Application seeking approval for food derived from genetically modified (GM) soybean lines A2704-12 and A5547-127. The new genetic trait in these soybean lines confers tolerance to glufosinate ammonium herbicide and allows plants to survive and grow following herbicide application. The Board agreed to the Preliminary Final Assessment Report and to extend the time limit for Application A481 by three months to 31 March 2004.
Application A482 – Plant Proteins as Wine Processing Aids
The Board considered the Preliminary Final Assessment Report for an Application seeking to permit the use of plant proteins as processing aids and alternative wine clarifying agents during the production of wine. Such plant-derived products would be suitable to produce wine that is acceptable for vegan and vegetarian consumers. The Board agreed to the Preliminary Final Assessment, which will be considered as a Final Assessment in January 2004.
Application A492 – Lysophospholipase as a Processing Aid (Enzyme)
The Board considered the Preliminary Final Assessment Report for an Application seeking to approve the use of a new enzyme, Lysophospholipase (EC number 3.1.1.5). Lysophospholipase is sourced from Aspergillus niger which is the source organism for a number of approved enzymes within the Code. It is a processing aid to improve the filterability and therefore improved processing efficiencies during the production of glucose syrups and maltodextrins from the hydrolysis of wheat starch. The Board agreed to the Preliminary Final Assessment Report, which will be considered as a Final Assessment in January 2004.
Application A503 – Collagen – Processing Aid for Wine
The Board considered the Draft Assessment Report for an Application to permit the use of collagen as a processing aid during production of wine. Collagen for human consumption is principally derived from the hide or skin of animals. 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.
Application A510 - MRLs August 2003
The Board considered the Initial/Draft Assessment Report for an Application which seeks amendments to Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for non-antibiotic agricultural and veterinary chemicals in the Code. It is a routine application from the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), to update the Code to reflect the current registration status for agricultural and veterinary chemicals in use in Australia. The Board agreed to the Initial/Draft Assessment Report (under s.36 of the FSANZ Act), which will be released in the near future for public consultation, prior to final consideration by the Board.
Proposal P281 – MRL Anomalies
The Board considered the Initial/Draft Assessment Report for a Proposal that seeks to amend Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for a range of agricultural and veterinary chemicals as set out in Standard 1.4.2 – Maximum Residue Limits, in the Code. The amendments are required in order to correct inadvertent anomalies between the APVMA MRLs, and Standard 1.4.2 of the Code. The Board agreed to the Initial/Draft Assessment Report (subject to minor amendments), which will be released in the near future for public consultation, prior to further consideration by the Board.
Proposal P276 – Review of Enzyme Processing Aids
The Board considered the Initial Assessment Report for a Proposal to formally review the enzymes listed in clauses 15, 16 and 17 of Standard 1.3.3 – Processing Aids in order to fully harmonise the Australian and New Zealand food regulations under the Code. The review will not be used as a mechanism for the approval of new enzymes in New Zealand and Australia. Issues that will be considered in the Proposal are: the nomenclature used for enzymes and source organisms; safety of currently approved enzymes; safety of by-products of enzymatic reactions; guidelines for safety assessment of enzymes and enzymes not currently used in Australia and New Zealand. The Board agreed to the Initial Assessment Report, which will be released in the near future for public consultation prior to further consideration by the Board.
Proposal P272 – A Review of certain labeling requirements for food for retail sale and food for catering purposes
The Board considered the Initial Assessment Report for a Proposal, which seeks to consider a number of issues related to the interpretation and application of certain labelling requirements as they apply to food for retail sale and food for catering purposes. The Board agreed to defer the Draft Assessment Report for further consideration by the Board at the FSANZ10 meeting to be held in March 2004.
Proposal P285 – Amendments to Standard 2.9.1 – Infant Formula Products: Sodium Selenate as a permitted form of Selenium: and clarification of Cysteine
The Board considered the Initial/Draft Assessment (s.36), which seeks to rectify the inadvertent omission of sodium selenate as a permitted form of selenium and to clarify permission for the L-amino acid ‘cysteine’. The Board agreed to the Initial/Draft Assessment, which will be released in the near future for public consultation prior to further consideration by the Board.
Application A491 – Resistant Maltodextrin – Extension of Time
The Board agreed to extend the time limit for this Application by six months to 16 September 2004 as it has been delayed due to the amount of time required to determine whether the product (resistant maltodextrin) should be assessed under novel food regulations.
Other matters
Meeting with the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC)
The Board met with Mr Dick Wells, Chief Executive Officer and Mr Tony Downer, the Assistant Director, Scientific and Technical. Issues of mutual interest were discussed including the restructure of FSANZ, the separation of risk assessment and risk management, MRLs on imported products, in particular products not grown in large quantities in Australia (herbs, spices, coffee etc.), participating and/or contributing to ‘emerging issues papers’ and offered to provide FSANZ staff with development opportunities, such as organising factory visits to familiarise staff with the food industry and practices. The Board looks forward to working with the AFGC to ensure improved communications and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders.
Meeting with Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)
The Board met with Mr Tim Reardon (ACCI), Mr Iain Macgregor (Bakewell Foods), Mr Tony Gentile (Australasian Soft Drinks Association) and Mr John Hart (Restaurant and Caterers Association). Matters discussed included: stakeholder consultation in the new policy environment; private regulation and interpretation of the Code; the review of dietary supplements; the implementation of the Food Safety Standards and the cost recovery of standard applications. The Board noted the concerns of the ACCI and will relay certain matters of concern to the ACCI to the relevant States and Territories. The Board wishes to continue to improve and commit to increasing the opportunity for stakeholders to have their views considered.
Exemption of Raw Milk Extra Hard Grating Cheeses from the Milk Heat Treatment Requirements (Section 33 Review)
The Board noted several matters regarding the review including the current preferred option to retain without amendment the exemption of raw milk extra hard grating cheeses from the milk heat treatment requirement and that the Dairy Reference Group supports an approach of seeking policy advice on raw milk product generally from the Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC). The Board considered the Section 33 Review and agreed to the recommendations, which entail no change to the current standard.
Amendments to the FSANZ Primary Production and Processing Standards Protocol
The Board agreed to the revised FSANZ Primary Production and Processing Standards (PPPs) Protocol that integrates the FSANZ Act 1991 statutory requirements for the development of PPPs with the policy guideline. The revised document is clearer on the technical advisory role of the FSANZ Standards Development Committees (SDCs), and makes distinctions between the role of FSANZ Staff and the FSANZ Board.
Emerging Issues: Association between Crohn’s Disease and Johne’s Disease
The Board noted the direction FSANZ is taking with this issue and that a report, including background on the national approach to control these diseases in Australia and New Zealand, will be posted on the FSANZ website as part of the technical series.
GM Labelling Review
Members approved the Report on the Review of the Labelling of GM Food and agreed to provide the Report to the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council (ANZFRMC) through the Chair of FRSC.
Establishment of an Expert Advisory Panel on Uncooked Comminuted Fermented Meat (UCFM) Safety
The Board discussed issues regarding the establishment of an expert advisory panel on UCFM and noted the communication between FSANZ, the then Developmental and Implementation Sub Committee (DISC) and Implementation Sub Committee (ISC) on issues relating to the implementation of the revised standard for UCFM.