Food Standards Notification Circular
18 June 2010
[13-10]
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
NEW APPLICATIONS AND PROPOSALS
(Note that this section is not a call for public comment)
FSANZ has received the following Application; completed an Administrative Assessment of it; accepted it; and placed it on the FSANZ Food Standards Development Work Plan:
MAJOR PROCEDURE
- Application A1046–Food derived from Herbicide-tolerant Soybean Line DAS-68416-4: to seek permission for food derived from soybeans genetically modified to provide tolerance to the herbicides, 2,4-D and glufosinate [Received: 5 May 2010] [Applicant: Dow AgroSciences Australia Limited]
FSANZ has prepared the following Proposal and placed it on the FSANZ Food Standards Development Work Plan:
GENERAL PROCEDURE
- Proposal P1009–Maximum Limits for Tutin in Honey: to review the maximum limits for tutin in honey and comb honey before the expiry date of 31 March 2011.
Information on the above, including an anticipated timetable for assessment and consultation opportunities, is provided 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 . Administrative Assessment Reports can be accessed on the FSANZ website at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodstandards/applications/ or http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodstandards/proposals/ . If you wish to be advised of any developments relating to the above, such as calls for public submissions, please contact the Standards Management Officer at standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au .
Please note that the above section is not a call for public comment.
OTHER MATTERS
FSANZ Application Handbook
The latest version of the FSANZ Application Handbook (as at 1 July 2010) is available on the FSANZ website at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/standardsdevelopment/informationforapplicants/ . The Explanatory Statement relating to the amendments made for this version is available at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodstandards/changingthecode/informationforapplicants/consultationopportun3880.cfm .
BSE Risk Status – Applications for Assessment
On 15 June 2010, FSANZ received an application from the Government of the United States of America (USA) for FSANZ to undertake a food safety risk assessment and assess its BSE risk status. The USA is one of a number of countries currently not allowed to trade beef products with Australia. Under the new BSE food safety policy, such countries are required to submit an application to FSANZ for an assessment of their BSE risk status prior to being able to export beef and beef products to Australia.
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