Food Standards Notification Circular
7 April 2010
[9-10]
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 then <Food Standards>, then <Changing the Code>, then either <Documents for Public Comment>or
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 5636 Fax +64 4 473 9855 |
General questions on the work of FSANZ should be directed to the Information Officer at 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
General information on progress on all current applications and proposals is available in the FSANZ Food Standards Development Work Plan which is available on the FSANZ website at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodstandards/changingthecode/standardsworkplan.cfm .
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
GENERAL PROCEDURE
Assessment – Applications[s.31]
FSANZ has assessed and prepared a draft food regulatory measure for the following Applications; will further consider the drafts; and invites written submissions for the purpose of either approving, amending or rejecting the draft food regulatory measures by 6pm (Canberra time) 19 May 2010:
- Application A1035 –Food derived from Insect-protected Soybean MON 87701: to seek pre-market approval for food derived from insect-protected soybean genetically modified to provide protection from feeding damage caused by Lepidopteran pests in tropical and subtropical growing region
- Application A1036 – Lipase derived from Aspergillus niger as a Processing Aid (Enzyme): to approve a new microbial source for enzyme (lipase) produced from a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus niger for use in bakery applications to enhance the gas holding capacity of bread dough, to increase the stability of the dough upon proofing leading to an increased loaf volume
MAJOR PROCEDURE
2nd Assessment – Applications[s.31]
FSANZ has assessed and prepared a draft food regulatory measure for the following Application; will further consider the draft; and invites written submissions for the purpose of either approving, amending or rejecting the draft food regulatory measureby 6pm (Canberra time) 5 May 2010:
- Application A1029 –Food derived from Drought-tolerant Corn MON87460: to seek permission for food derived from corn genetically modified to reduce yield loss under water-limited conditions
OTHER MATTERS
Amendments to the FSANZApplication Handbook
All applications to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code are required to include certain minimum information as detailed in the FSANZ Act and in any guidelines issued by FSANZ. These guidelines have been consolidated into an Application Handbook (Handbook), which also contains information on assessment processes, cost-recovery and confidentiality.
FSANZ is able to reject an application on the basis that it does not meet the information requirements set out in the Handbook.
FSANZ is proposing a number of amendments to the current version of the Handbook (as at 25 August 2009). The proposed amendments are available in either Word or PDF versions and for public comment at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodstandards/changingthecode/informationforapplicants/consultationopportun3880.cfm . There are links on this page to the current version of the Handbook.
Comments should be provided to FSANZ by 6pm (Canberra time) 5 May 2010. Please send your comments to submissions@foodstandards.gov.au .
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
Food Labelling Review
The Committee conducting the Independent Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy is about to embark on the planned second round of public consultations in Australia and New Zealand. This Review, chaired by Dr Neal Blewett AC, is being conducted at the request of the Council of Australian Governments and the Ministerial Council. This public consultation period is an important opportunity for people to provide the Review Committee with specific information about ways to improve food labelling in Australia and New Zealand.
The Food Labelling Review Issues Consultation Paper summarises the issues that have been raised in the first round of submissions to the Review, as well as issues in the literature and media in recent years. This Paper elaborates on the Review’s Terms of Reference and has been prepared to stimulate thinking and debate. It is important to now take the next step in the Review process and begin thinking about the range of solutions and ideas to improve food labelling. The Food Labelling Review Issues Consultation Paper is available via www.foodlabellingreview.gov.au . The closing date for written submissions is 14 May 2010. Submissions that add to the deliberation and discussion (and meet the submission guidelines) will be made publicly available on the website.
As part of the consultation, the Review Committee will be holding public forums in Australia and New Zealand from 17 March to 7 May 2010. Members of the public are encouraged to take the opportunity to respond to the consultation questions, and to attend one of the public meetings. Stakeholders are invited to register on www.foodlabellingreview.gov.au to attend a public forum. The schedule is as follows:
Canberra | Monday, 12 April 2010 |
Darwin | Friday, 16 April 2010 |
Adelaide | Friday, 23 April 2010 |
Melbourne | Thursday, 29 April 2010 |
Brisbane | Friday, 7 May 2010 |