Changes to Food Code: FSANZ Invites Public Comment
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today released details of amendments that it is considering to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and is inviting individuals and organisations with an interest in the regulation of food to comment.
The changes under consideration include approval for manufacturers to add fluoride to bottled water, a proposal to set a new limit for cadmium residues in peanuts and a maximum level for hydrocyanic acid in ready-to-eat cassava chips.
When FSANZ receives an application to change food regulations, it undertakes an assessment of the risks to consumers in making that change and looks at various regulatory options to minimise those risks.
In matters of public health and safety, FSANZ adopts a cautionary and conservative approach. If there is any doubt about the safety of a new food product or a change to an existing product, FSANZ will either prohibit its sale or approve its sale under stringent conditions.
The public comment process ensures that FSANZ has as much evidence to hand as possible on which to base its decisions.
Application A588 – Initial Assessment -Voluntary addition of fluoride to packaged waters
The Australian Beverages Council Ltd is seeking approval to permit the voluntary addition of fluoride to packaged water as a nutrient, to a maximum claimable amount of 1.5 milligrams per litre. This would provide an alternative for people who do not wish to drink fluoridated tap water but who still want to consume fluoridated water. It would also provide a source of fluoride for those who do not have access to fluoridated tap water. We invite, especially, consumers and public health professionals to forward their views to us.
Application A552 – Draft Assessment - Cadmium in peanuts
FSANZ has received an application from the Confectionery Manufacturers of Australasia Limited (CMA) to amend the Food Standards Code to increase the existing maximum level (ML) for cadmium in peanuts. CMA wants increased flexibility to source peanuts from a variety of countries to meet demand that may result from crop seasonality and product quality. Most countries do not have a maximum level for cadmium in peanuts. We propose to increase the ML from 0.1 to 0.5 milligrams per kilogram for cadmium in peanuts and welcome comment.
Proposal P1002 – Assessment - Limits for hydrocyanic acid in cassava chips*
FSANZ has assessed the risks associated with ready-to-eat cassava chips and is proposing to include a maximum level for the substance hydrocyanic acid in ready-to-eat cassava chips in the Code. Such a measure, if complied with, would reduce the dietary exposure of consumers to hydrocyanic acid from this food product. We invite submissions on this proposal.
Proposal M1001 – Assessment - Maximum residue limits – Australia only*
FSANZ protects public health and safety by ensuring that any potential chemical residues in food are within appropriate safety limits . FSANZ supports industry and compliance agencies by maintaining current maximum residue limits (MRLs) in the Code. FSANZ has determined that proposed variations to MRLs in the Code do not present any public health and safety concerns. We welcome comment from interested parties.
Proposal P1001 – Assessment - Omnibus measures to correct minor errors in the Code
The purpose of this proposal is to delete or amend outdated provisions in the Code; to amend the Code as a result of an internal audit of editorial notes; and to correct errors of minor significance or complexity in the Code. The proposed changes include typographical errors, inconsistencies, incorrect spellings, grammatical errors, and deletions and corrections to tables.
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 on 3 April 2008for items marked with an asterisk and on 30 April 2008 for other items.
Media contact: Lydia Buchtmann 0401 714 265 (Australia) or
+61 401 714 265 (from New Zealand)