Student Projects Introduction

At Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) our ultimate goal is a safe food supply and well-informed consumers.  FSANZ develops food standards and joint codes of practice with industry, covering the content and labelling of food sold in Australia and New Zealand. In addition, FSANZ develops Australia-only food standards that address food safety issues including: requirements for primary production; and maximum residue limits for agricultural and veterinary drug residues.

To do business in Australia and New Zealand, food companies and retailers must comply with food standards (regulations) in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Food standards are legal requirements and non-compliance can attract penalties.

The standard development process involves an evaluation of the risk to public health of the proposed change to the Code, the impact of the regulatory measures on the food industry and our international trading obligations. FSANZ’s then drafts a legal standard for public comment. There may be one or more periods of public consultation for each standard.

FSANZ standard development processes are based on scientific evidence, which often incorporates input from the wider research community. This Includes: FSANZ fellows, scientific advisory committees, national expert committees and long term andad-hoccontracts with expert consultants.       

In order to extend FSANZ research and policy development capacities the Student Project initiative was launched in 2003. This initiative is intended to be a mutually beneficial relationship between academia and FSANZ by encouraging students to undertake projects of relevance to FSANZ and food regulation.

Project ideas are developed by FSANZ staff annually on topics that give students an opportunity to develop their research and analytical skills within the food safety and regulatory environment. Current projects in the area include:

• Food Technology/Microbiology;
• Toxicology/Chemical safety;
• Consumer Behaviour and Social Sciences; and
• Nutrition.

While providing interesting and appropriate research projects for senior undergraduate and for postgraduate students, the outputs of the projects have provided FSANZ with valuable information and insights.

This document contains project ideas, currently of interest to FSANZ, which students may like to consider.  This list is updated regularly to reflect emerging topical issues within the food industry. Click HERE to access a copy.