Food Authority appoints Scientific Fellows

The Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) today announced the appointment of ten ANZFA Scientific Fellows to augment the expertise and scientific and other professional advice available to it.

ANZFA's Chairman, the Hon Michael MacKellar, made the announcement at an inaugural ANZFA Fellows Symposium, held today at Old Parliament House, Canberra, to examine emerging issues that will impact on food in the next five to ten years.

'The past year has demonstrated clearly that the pace of change in food regulation is accelerating,' Mr MacKellar said.

'Diets and consumer eating habits have altered markedly in the past few decades. Industry has greater scope for innovation than ever before. Novel foods are entering the marketplace.

'New chemical and microbiological threats to safety continue to emerge and consumers, worldwide, are demanding a greater level of food safety.

'In this environment, ANZFA is attempting to strengthen its collaborative links with relevant organisations in Australia and New Zealand and to create a pool of scientific and related knowledge that can add value to ANZFA's work.'

The distinguished biological scientists and other professionals comprising the ANZFA Scientific Fellows are:

Professor Ken Buckle	University of New South Wales
Dr David Hill	Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne
Dr John Huckerby	Auckland, New Zealand
Professor Jim Mann	University of Otago, New Zealand
Dr Geoff Marks	University of Queensland
Professor Tom McMeekin	University of Tasmania
Emeritus Professor Nancy	Millis University of Melbourne
Professor Paul Moughan	Massey University, New Zealand
Dr Chris Reynolds	Flinders University, South Australia
Professor Tony Worsley	Deakin University, Victoria

Mr MacKellar said ANZFA must have access to scientific and other professional advice of the highest calibre to operate effectively as a food regulator.

Decisions must be based on the best available scientific knowledge and planning must take account of the new technologies and practices being introduced into the food supply.The introduction of genetically modified foods and the BSE (mad cow) problem have shown that issues can emerge which can stretch the boundaries of our scientific understanding.

'This is why the ANZFA Board has taken steps to augment its links with academic institutes by establishing the ANZFA Scientific Fellows program ,' Mr MacKellar said.

'We are indeed fortunate to have attracted such eminent people to this program.

'We are attempting to further improve our scientific and technical competency and to enhance our standing as an authoritative and credible science-based food regulator - not simply for its own sake, but to maintain public confidence in the safety of our food supply.'

For more information see www.foodstandards.gov.au