30 May 2001
Food Authority seeks public Comment on Food Standards changes on Nutrient Labelling and other matters
The Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) today invited public comment on proposals involving nutrient claims, labelling statements on milk products, the pasteurisation of orange juice and the use of an alternative preservative in sausage casings.
Industry and consumer bodies, individuals and other interested parties are invited to make submissions on the existing standards which ANZFA has begun to review. The Managing Director of ANZFA, Mr Ian Lindenmayer, said it would be helpful for submissions to provide information and opinions on the effectiveness of the current requirements and on other possible regulatory options. The standards under review are:
- Nutrient Content and Other Related Claims (Proposal P234)
- Labelling Statements on Reduced Fat and Condensed Milks (Proposal P240)
In addition, two applications to amend food standards have been released for a second round of public comment:
- Pasteurisation of orange juice (Application A411)
- Sorbic acid in edible casings (Application A419)
Nutrient claims (submissions by 25 July 2001)
At present, nutrient claims such as 'fat free', 'high fibre' or 'lite' are managed in Australia by the Code of Practice on Nutrient Claims in Food Labels and in Advertisements. These terms and conditions for nutrient claims do not apply in New Zealand, where nutrient claims are regulated by the New Zealand Food Regulations.
ANZFA's review of nutrient claims proposes a range of options whereby the management of these claims in Australia and New Zealand will be harmonised to facilitate trans-Tasman trade in foods carrying nutrition claims. This review will be completed before the end of 2002, when the new Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code will take effect. The review will involve two rounds of public consultation.
Labelling statements on milk products (submissions by 11 July 2001)
Australian and New Zealand dietary guidelines indicate that reduced fat milks are unsuitable for infants and toddlers. ANZFA has proposed that an advisory statement saying this should apply to all milk and milk products with a milkfat content of less than 2.5 percent and condensed milk.
This statement is being proposed in the context of current inconsistencies between Australia and New Zealand, and the desirability of harmonising the regulations for the labelling of milk products between the two countries.
Pasteurisation of orange juice (submissions by 11 July 2001)
In 1999, unpasteurised orange juice was responsible for a food poisoning outbreak in South Australia affecting more than 500 people. The South Australian Department of Human Services has since applied to ANZFA to amend the Food Standards Code to require all orange juice - except freshly squeezed juice for immediate consumption - to be pasteurised or labelled if it is not pasteurised.
ANZFA has developed five options to manage the risks. ANZFA's preferred option is a combination of regulatory and non-regulatory measures, including a requirement that unpasteurised orange juice be labelled. A voluntary code of practice for producers of untreated juices is also suggested to minimise the contamination of fruit while it is being grown, harvested, stored and processed to make juice. An education campaign is also proposed to increase public awareness of the potential risks associated with unpasteurised juices, particularly for at-risk groups.
Sorbic acid in edible collagen casings (submissions by 11 July 2001)
Edible collagen casings are used to make sausage products. At present, the only preservative permitted in Australia and New Zealand for use in edible casings is sulphur dioxide, which is unsuitable for use in the manufacturing process used by the applicant.
ANZFA is considering an amendment to the Code to allow the use of sorbic acid in edible collagen casings. ANZFA does not believe that use of sorbic acid in the quantities proposed raises any public health and safety concerns.