FSANZ seeks public comment on proposed changes to the food code

 3 October 2007

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today announced that it is considering a number of changes to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code– regulations that govern the sale of food sold in Australia and New Zealand.

These changes involve the approval of a food additive for wine, amendments to levels of chemical residues present in food, a new genetically modified rice variety, the addition of lutein to infant formula and amended maximum residue limits for chemical residues in food.

FSANZ is an independent government agency responsible for developing food standards which appear in the Code.

By law, FSANZ must underpin all its decisions with the best available scientific evidence. Increasingly, this evidence base is supplemented by economic impact analyses and studies into consumer behaviour.

FSANZ operates one of the most transparent standard-setting processes in the world, with the public and special interest groups able to access and comment on all scientific evaluations and reasons for making regulatory decisions.

People with an interest in the regulation of food are invited to visit the FSANZ website at www.foodstandards.gov.au .

Food derived from glufosinate ammonium-tolerant rice LLRICE62(Application A589 – Draft Assessment)

Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd has applied for approval to sell food derived from glufosinate ammonium-tolerant rice LLRICE62.   The genetic modification conferred to this rice variety makes it tolerant to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium.   FSANZ must carry out a safety evaluation of all GM crops before they can be used as food.   In this case, we have found that food derived from LLRICE62 is as safe and wholesome as food derived from the parental line and other commercial varieties of rice.   We welcome comment from individuals and organisations with an interest in GM foods.

Addition of lutein as a nutritive substance in infant formula(Application A594 – Draft Assessment)

Wyeth Pty Ltd has requested an amendment to the Food Standards Code to allow the optional addition of lutein, obtained from the marigold flower, as a nutritive substance to infant formula and follow-on formula.  Lutein is a normal constituent of breast milk and may be helpful in promoting eye health.  The applicant argues that a change to the Code to allow the addition of lutein would give formula-fed infants the opportunity to obtain this nutritive substance.  We are seeking the views of health professionals and the infant formula food industry, as well as those of the public, on this work.

Yeast mannoproteins as a food additive for wine(Application A605 – Draft Assessment)

Laffort Services has requested approval to use mannoproteins extracted from yeast cell walls as a food additive in wine to inhibit the formation of potassium bitartrate crystals, commonly formed in bottled wine.  Yeast mannoproteins are approved for this purpose in the European Union.  They occur naturally in wine and many other foods.  We have conducted a safety assessment and have concluded that there are no safety concerns.  We believe that the use of yeast mannoproteins in wine is technologically justified.  Comments are invited. 

Maximum residue limits – Australia only(Application A599 – Initial / Draft Assessment)

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has requested that FSANZ amend maximum residue limits (MRLs) for a number of chemicals in the Code. The variations sought in A599 involve a number of non-antibiotic agricultural and veterinary chemicals. We have reviewed the estimated dietary exposure assessments for this application and have determined that the residues associated with the proposed MRLs do not present any public health and safety concerns

Submissions:       FSANZ welcomes public comment from industry, public health professionals, government agencies and consumers.   Details of all the assessments above can be found on www.foodstandards.gov.au .  Submissions close on14 November 2007 .

Media contact:           Lydia Buchtmann 0401 714 265 (Australia) or

                                    +61 401 714 265 (from New Zealand)