ANZFA seeks public comment on sweetener Neotame, red food colouring Erythrosine, and Caffeine application withdrawn

The Australia New Zealand Food Authority is considering applications to approve use of the 'intense' sweetener Neotame in foods, and approval for the use of the food colouring Erythrosine in preserved cherries.

The 'intense' sweetener Neotame could be used as an alternative to other non sugar sweeteners permitted in soft drinks and other foods (Application A406).

Erythrosine is a food colouring used to restore the red colouring in cherries after the preservation process has bleached out their natural red colouring (Application A396)

Caffeine application withdrawn

An application to add caffeine to non-alcoholic beverages such as soft drinks has been withdrawn by the applicant (Application A344).

This was one of two caffeine related applications being considered by ANZFA. The other application under consideration is to allow the manufacture and direct import of formulated caffeinated beverages (energy drinks) in Australia. ANZFA is currently seeking public comment on a draft standard that proposes that these drinks, if permitted, should be labelled as not suitable for children.

Unit pricing of food application rejected

ANZFA has rejected an application which would have made it mandatory for all foods to be presented at the point of sale with information showing not only their price, but also the price per standardised unit of weight or volume (Application 395).

ANZFA Managing Director, Ian Lindenmayer, said that while he recognised that the concept of unit pricing could benefit consumers, unit pricing of goods in general was a trade measurement issue and not a specific food issue.

'Unit pricing would be better considered by consumer affairs agencies in Australia and New Zealand.

'It would also be labour intensive and fairly expensive for retailers, especially small business,' he said.

The deadline for comments on the Neotame and Erythrosine applications is 31 January 2001. The deadline for comments on the formulated caffeinated beverages application is 23 February 2001.

You can view the standards applications on the ANZFA website www.foodstandards.gov.au or www.foodstandards.govt.nz .