Out-of-Session - July and August 2001
SUMMARY OF KEY OUTCOMES
Recommendations relating to Food Standards matters
The ANZFA Board has responsibility under the Australia New Zealand Food Authority Act 1991 to consider standards matters and make recommendations to members of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council (ANZFSC), which is composed of Health Ministers from the Commonwealth, States, Territories and New Zealand, to amend the Food Standards Code. The Ministers consider the recommendations from the Board and decisions are determined by majority vote, before the Code can be amended. Ministers can reject the recommendation if they so wish, or amend it, or return the recommendation to the Board for reconsideration.
Application A413 - Irradiation of herbs, nuts and spices
The Board considered the Inquiry Report for Application A413. The Board has supported the conclusions of the Report to allow the irradiation of herbs, spices, nuts and herbal infusions for decontamination, disinfestation, control of weeds and sprout inhibition purposes. The Board will now recommend that ANZFSC adopts amendments to the Food Standards Code to permit irradiation of these commodities.
Application A445 - Maximum residue limit for ethylene oxide
The Board considered a Full Assessment Report for Application A445. The Board is supporting the continued use of ethylene oxide for processing of herbs and spices for two years subject to a maximum residue limit (MRL) of 20 mg/kg .
The Board is progressing this as a matter of urgency under section 37 of the ANZFA Act, based on the protection of public health and safety. Ethylene oxide-treated herbs and spices have reduced microbial contamination including less contamination with human pathogens. Viable alternative sources are not yet easily available to all sectors of the industry. Permitting the sale of ethylene oxide-treated herbs and spices therefore protects public health and safety by ensuring that exposure to human pathogens is minimised while alternative decontamination techniques are developed.
The Board will now recommend that ANZFSC adopts amendments to theFood Standards Code to permit the use of ethylene oxide for a further two years with its use in foods banned thereafter. Public consultation on the Application will be held later in the year after the Board makes a recommendation to ANZFSC.
User Guides to accompany Volume 2 of the Food Standards Code
The Board considered 14 user guides (including one on GM labelling) which are to accompany the new Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (known as Volume 2) of the Food Standards Code. These will provide useful information to assist in the interpretation of requirements under the new Code.
All but one of these User Guides are now available on the ANZFA website and will be available in hard copy in the near future.