New Standards Enhance Australia’s Food Safety

Australia's food industry has new food safety standards that make it easier for businesses to achieve safe practices, Chairman of the Australia New Zealand Food Authority, the Hon Michael MacKellar said today.

Mr MacKellar said that the standards came into effect this week, and would become enforceable in the States and Territories as each jurisdiction makes the necessary amendments to its food laws over the coming months.

'For the first time, food safety standards will be consistent in each State and Territory, andAustralia will have more effective and up-to-date standards.

'The standards will make it easier for business to achieve safe food practices, and they further reinforce consumer confidence in the Australian food supply,' Mr MacKellar said.

'The standards seek to make food safer by specifying what a food business needs to do to prevent food-borne illness at each food handling step.'

Three new standards will replace existing food regulations throughout Australia:

Standard 3.1.1 defines what is 'safe' and 'suitable' food and how other food standards are to be interpreted and applied;
Standard 3.2.2 is about how food is handled, stored, processed, displayed and transported safely; and
Standard 3.2.3 sets out the requirements for food premises and equipment to achieve safety in the food produced or handled.

'Businesses operating safely now should find that compliance with the new requirements is a straightforward exercise,' Mr MacKellar said.

The new standards were developed following wide consultation with food industry representatives and small business and community groups.

To help food businesses and enforcement agencies make the shift to the new food safety standards, the Australia New Zealand Food Authority has commenced an information and education campaign.

ANZFA's Food Standards Code Information Unit is providing a telephone hotline and an email service to provide direct advice on the interpretation of, and compliance with, the new standards.

The advice line number in Australia is 1300 652 166. Email inquiries can be made to advice@foodstandards.gov.au . Further information is also available on the ANZFA website at www.foodstandards.gov.au