FSANZ seeks public comment on possible changes to food standards code

21 December 2007

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today invited individuals and organisations with an interest in the regulation of food to provide information and comment on two applications and a proposal to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

Submissions should be in FSANZ’s hands by 6pm (Canberra time) 22 February 2008.

Application A609– Initial Assessment -Addition of GOS, Long Chain Inulin to Infant Formula Products & Infant Food
To permit the addition of long chain inulin and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) in specified amounts to infant formula products and infant foods.

Application A597 – Draft Assessment- Addition of Lutein to Formulated Supplementary Foods for Young Children
To permit the addition of lutein as a nutritive substance in formulated supplementary foods for young children.

Proposal P306– Draft Assessment-Addition of Inulin/FOS & GOS to Food

To permit and regulate the composition of added inulin/fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) in infant formula products, infant foods and formulated supplementary foods for young children, and to provide that added inulin /FOS is taken to be not a nutritive substance when added to general foods.

Submissions:FSANZ welcomes public comment from industry, public health professionals, government agencies and consumers. Details of all the assessments above can be found at: http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/standardsdevelopment/documentsforpublicco868.cfm

Media contact:Juliana Madden 0401 714 265 (Australia) or +61 401 714 265 (from New Zealand)