Food Standards Notification Circular
3 June 2009
[8-09]
This Notification Circular includes notices that are required to be given to the public, submitters and appropriate government agencies, under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (FSANZ Act). All references below to sections of legislation, are to the FSANZ Act unless otherwise indicated.
Further information about the applications, proposals and other matters mentioned below, including assessment reports, processes and – where applicable – reasons for decisions, can be accessed on the FSANZ website at www.foodstandards.gov.au under <Standards Development>, then <Documents for Public Comment>and then
The Information Officer | The Office Administrator |
Food Standards Australia New Zealand | Food Standards Australia New Zealand |
PO Box 7186 | PO Box 10559 |
CANBERRA BC ACT 2610 | WELLINGTON 6036 |
AUSTRALIA | NEW ZEALAND |
Tel +61 2 6271 2241 Fax +61 2 6271 2278 | Tel +64 4 978 5630 Fax +64 4 473 9855 |
General questions on the work of FSANZ should be directed to the Information Officer at the either of the addresses above. Queries concerning the matters in this Circular on assessment or submission processes should be directed to the Standards Management Officer at standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au .
Progress on Applications and Proposals
Details on re-affirmations, notifications to Ministerial Council, Ministerial Council processes and Gazettals from the notice below were published on 3 June 2009 in The Australian and TheNew Zealand Herald newspapers, as well as on the FSANZ website.
RE-AFFIRMATION AND COUNCIL NOTIFICATION [s.101]
After consideration of the variation gazetted for the following Proposal which was declared urgent under s.95 of the FSANZ Act, FSANZ re-affirmed the variation as gazetted in Amendment No. 99 to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (FSC 41) which was published by FSANZ on 26 June 2008. The variation also took effect on this date.
FSANZ has given the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council (Ministerial Council) written notification of this re-affirmation:
- Proposal P1006 – Remove Commencement Provision for Certain Special Purpose Infant Formula
Once FSANZ has notified the Ministerial Council that it has re-affirmed the standard as gazetted, the Ministerial Council has 60 days to either request FSANZ to review the standard or inform FSANZ that it does not intend to request a review. Further information on the Ministerial Council process is available on the FSANZ website at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/standardsdevelopment/ministerialcouncilre1834.cfm .
OTHER MATTERS
GAZETTAL – Amendment 108 Published
Amendment No. 108 to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code was published by FSANZ on 28 May 2009 (FSC 50). It included amendments resulting from the following Applications:
- Application A490 – Exemption of Allergen Declaration for Isinglass
- Application A594 – Addition of Lutein as a Nutritive Substance to Infant Formula
- Application A597 – Addition of Lutein to Formulated Supplementary Foods for Young Children
- Application A1011 – Cellulase from Penicillium funiculosum as a Processing Aid (Enzyme)
FSANZ Work Plan
FSANZ is required under s.20 of the FSANZ Act to develop and publish a three-year forward plan for applications, proposals and types of applications and proposals on which it intends to develop standards or variations to standards. In developing this three-year forward plan, FSANZ must consult interested persons not later than 30 June in each year.
Written submissions are therefore invited on the Work Plan by 6pm (Canberra time) 19 June 2008. Submissions should be addressed to one of the addresses below:
Standards Management Officer Standards Management Officer
Food Standards Australia New Zealand Food Standards Australia New Zealand
PO Box 7186 PO Box 10559
CANBERRA BC ACT 2610 WELLINGTON 6036
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Email: submissions@foodstandards.gov.au Email: submissions@foodstandards.govt.nz
Key Email addresses
standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au for:
- progress with the assessment of applications or proposals or completed applications
- making an application
- gazettal of amendments to the Code
submissions@foodstandards.gov.au for lodging submissions.
Food Regulation Secretariat
In accordance with the Food Regulation Agreement, the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing is responsible for the provision of secretariat services to the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council (Ministerial Council), the Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC) and the Implementation Sub-Committee (ISC).
The Food Regulation Secretariat sends information updates to stakeholders on a regular basis. If you would like to receive these updates (this is separate and in addition to updates from FSANZ), register your details on the Food Regulation Secretariat Stakeholder Database. A registration form is available on the website at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/foodsecretariat-database.htm .
Alternatively, the Food Regulation Secretariat can be contacted on:
Phone: +61 2 6289 5128
Fax: +61 2 6289 5100
Postal Address:
Food Regulation Secretariat
PO Box 4
WODEN ACT 2606
Email: foodregulationsecretariat@health.gov.au
The 2009 Food Regulation Stakeholder Forum
What is it?
The theme for the 2009 Food Regulation Stakeholder Forum is ‘Consistent interpretation of regulatory standards’. Stakeholders will be updated on key projects being undertaken by the Implementation Sub-Committee in the period 2009-10. The Forum will also provide stakeholders with the opportunity to input, comment and shape the direction of future work to be undertaken by the Implementation Sub-Committee.
When is it?
The Forum will be held on 19 June 2009.
General registration will commence from 10.00am with the formal proceedings starting at 10.30am. The Forum is expected to close at 3.30pm.
An Induction Session for delegates new to the food regulation system, with a specific focus on the role and objectives of the Implementation Sub-Committee, will be held at 9am. Registration for this session commences at 8.30am.
Where is it?
CQ Functions, 113 Queen Street, Melbourne
(cnr of Queen Street and Little Collins Street)
What do you need to do to attend?
All interested parties are welcome. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to the Food Regulation Secretariat by 12 June 2009. Ph +61 2 6289 5128 or email: foodregulationsecretariat@health.gov.au .