Launch of Food Standards Australia New Zealand's Science Strategy
(28 September 2006)
Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ) Science Strategy 2006-09 was launched today by their Chief Scientist Dr Marion Healy.
Speaking at FSANZ’s Science Network Workshop on Dietary Modelling in Canberra, Dr Healy said that Australia and New Zealand have one of the safest food supplies in the world.
‘This level of safety owes its effectiveness to the transparency, inclusiveness and objectivity of the food regulatory system and the willingness of stakeholders to accept the scientific evidence underpinning regulatory measures,’ she said.
‘We are now witnessing rapid changes in the food supply – changes in the nature of food and consumer expectations about what they want from food. We are also experiencing a greater government interest in using food to achieve public health outcomes through programs such as mandatory fortification.
‘A result of these changes is a need for FSANZ to not only adjust its scientific focus into new areas, but also to develop its ability to articulate the scientific basis of its risk analyses to a growing number of interested parties. Our scientific work is coming under the public spotlight to a greater degree than ever before. We therefore need to ensure that the rigour of our science remains high and that our processes continue to withstand the pressures of external scrutiny.
‘One of the roles of Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is to evaluate the scientific evidence associated with changes to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – regulations governing the composition, labelling and handling of foods. We also conduct scientific risk assessments during food emergencies and for potential threats to food, such as mad cow disease and avian influenza.
‘ High quality science is at the core of our work. We aim to provide the objective scientific assessments necessary to enable risk managers to make sound regulatory decisions. To achieve this, we employ scientists who have integrity and who value excellence in their work. This strategy, combined with procedures closely modelled on international best practice, has served the regulatory system – and the people of Australia and New Zealand – well.
‘This FSANZ Science Strategy 2006-09 describes how we intend to use our scientific resources to maintain the safety of the food supply in changing times. I commend the document to our regulatory partners, to the food industry and to consumers everywhere, Dr Healy concluded.
The FSANZ Science Strategy 2006-09 is available on the FSANZ website at Science Strategy 2006-09
Media Contact: Lydia Buchtmann, FSANZ 02 6271 2620 or 0401 714 265