Food Standards Notification Circular
22 March 2011
[6-11]
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, The Terrace |
CANBERRA BC ACT 2610 | WELLINGTON 6143 |
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:
GENERAL PROCEDURE
- Application A1057 – Endo-protease as a Processing Aid (Enzyme): to seek approval for endo-protease, produced by fermentation of a self-cloned strain of Aspergillus niger, to be used in the preparation of beer [Received: 31 January 2011] [DSM Food Specialties]
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.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
MAJOR PROCEDURE
2nd Assessment – Applications [s.31]
FSANZ has assessed the following Application; prepared a draft food regulatory measure; will further consider the draft; and invites written submissions for the purpose of either approving, amending or rejecting the draft food regulatory measure by 6pm (Canberra time) 19 April 2011:
- Application A1042 – Food derived from Herbicide-tolerant Corn Line DAS-40278-9: to seek permission for food derived from herbicide-tolerant corn line genetically modified to provide resistance to broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D and other related chemicals
OTHER MATTERS
Amendments to Standard 1.4.2 – Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) [Australia only]
From 1 March 2011, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) will have the power to amend Schedule 1 of Standard 1.4.2 for domestic MRLs. This change implements the Council of Australian Governments’ reform to streamline the food standards development process for MRL standards.
FSANZ is required by the FSANZ Act to provide advice about applications and variations that are being considered by the APVMA that may result in an amendment to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. FSANZ will continue to have responsibility for making amendments to Standard 1.4.2 in relation to import MRLs, as well as the Standard and other Schedules to the Standard.
FSANZ will notify the public in this Circular (including links to relevant web pages) of progress with any proposed amendments at key stages during the assessment process.
NOTIFICATIONS TO FSANZ [SECTION 13A OF THE AGVET CODE]
FSANZ has been notified by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) of a number of applications or variations to the APVMA MRL Standard that the APVMA considers will likely result in variations to Standard 1.4.2 if the applications or variations are granted.
Further information on these notifications can be obtained from the FSANZ website at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodstandards/changingthecode/maximumresiduelimits.cfm
CALLS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT BY APVMA ON PROPOSED VARIATIONS TO STANDARD 1.4.2
The APVMA has called for public comment on a number of proposed variations to Standard 1.4.2. Information can be obtained from the APVMA website at http://www.apvma.gov.au/publications/gazette/index.php .
Information Publication Scheme – Important information for applicants and submitters
The Australian Government’s new Information Publication Scheme starts on 1 May 2011. The scheme aims to promote transparency and pro-disclosure and will mean that all applications to change the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, as well as submissions on applications and proposals, will be published on our website.
We will not publish any material that is confidential commercial information or where we have been asked to keep certain information confidential, such as personal information. We will also publish material we have released under Freedom of Information requests on our website or make this information available in other ways.
FSANZ has always summarised applications and submissions in assessment reports. People could also request access to the information through our Public Register. You will now be able to access this material on our website free of charge.
Applications will be published when we publicly notify FSANZ’s decision on completion of the Administrative Assessment. Submissions will be published as soon as possible after the end of the public comment period. For further information go to http://www.oaic.gov.au/publications/FOI_fact_sheet4_the_information_publication_scheme.html .
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
[Australia only] These matters relate to ‘Australia only’ standards that are not part of the joint regulatory arrangements with New Zealand. However, food from Australia complying with these standards may be supplied in New Zealand. If the matter is open for public comment, anyone may provide submissions in relation to these matters.