FSANZ wants public comment on possible changes to food code
12 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 a number of applications to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
Among the items being considered are possible labelling of alcoholic beverages with a pregnancy health statement, revised residue limits in food, the addition of calcium to some chewing gum, food from genetically modified cotton and corn, and food safety programs for catering to the general public.
In addition, FSANZ is releasing a ‘consultation paper’ on nutrition and health claims to obtain community feedback on three issues before the FSANZ Board makes a final decision on the rules governing the use of these claims by food manufacturers.
Submissions should be in FSANZ’s hands by Wednesday 6 February 2008, except for the nutrition and health claims consultation (P293), which closes off on Friday 1 February 2008.
Labelling of alcoholic beverages with a pregnancy health advisory label
(Application A576 – Initial Assessment)
The Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC) is seeking to require a health advisory label on alcoholic beverage containers advising of the risks of consuming alcohol when planning to become pregnant and during pregnancy. ALAC’s reasons include the view that health advisory labels would enhance national strategies for discouraging drinking while pregnant and that no level of alcohol consumption has been determined to be safe for the foetus. We welcome comment on this application.
Country of origin labelling requirements for unpackaged pork products (Australia only)
(Application A583 – Initial Assessment)
We have received an application from the Australian Meat Industry Council seeking to remove the country of origin labelling (CoOL) requirement for unpackaged processed pork products. The present CoOL requirements have been well received by consumers; however, the post-farmgate pork industry has some ongoing concerns. In considering a change to the Food Standards Code, we must carefully consider the potential impacts on consumers as well as the benefit to industry. We welcome advice on whether, or not, to amend the Code.
Food derived from glyphosate-tolerant cotton variety GHB614
(Application A614 – Initial Assessment)
Bayer CropScience is seeking approval for food derived from glyphosate-tolerant cotton, line GHB614 – a cotton variety that has been genetically modified (GM) to be resistant to glyphosate herbicide. FSANZ must undertake a pre-market safety assessment of GM crops before approving their use for human consumption. The oil and linters of this cotton variety are intended for use in food. We invite the views of interested parties.
Food derived from insect-protected cotton line COT67B
(Application A615 – Initial Assessment)
Syngenta Seeds Pty Ltd has applied to FSANZ to approve food derived from cotton genetically modified to provide resistance to Lepidopteran species. Oil and linters are the only food products derived from cotton. We will only approve the application if we are satisfied that the GM food is as safe as its non-GM counterpart. We are seeking the views of interested parties.
Maximum residue limits – Australia only
(Application A607 – Initial / Draft Assessment)
(Application A610 – Initial / Draft Assessment)
(Application A612 – Dimetridazole [antibiotic] Initial / Draft Assessment)
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has notified FSANZ seeking to amend maximum residue limits (MRLs) for a number of chemicals in the Code, including the antibiotic dimetridazole. We have reviewed the estimated dietary exposure assessments for these applications and have determined that the residues associated with the proposed MRLs do not present any public health and safety concerns.
Nutrition, health and related claims
(Proposal P293 – Consultation Paper)
FSANZ is in the final stages of developing a regulatory framework within which manufacturers will be able to make nutrition and health claims about their food products. We are holding a seven-week public consultation on three outstanding issues: vitamin and minerals claims; the substantiation framework for all levels of claims; and criteria for some fatty acid claims. Comment is invited.
L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, calcium as a permitted form of folate
(Application A566 – Daft Assessment)
Merck Eprova AG has applied for permission to use L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate, calcium salt (MTHF) as a permitted vitamin form of folate for voluntary fortification purposes. The applicant claims that MTHF is safe and is unlikely to mask the clinical symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency. We intend to recommend approval and invite comment.
Ferric sodium edetate as a permitted form of iron
(Application A570 – Draft Assessment)
Akzo Nobel Pty Ltd has requested that FSANZ approve ferric sodium edetate as a permitted form of iron for use in certain food where the addition of iron is currently permitted. The Applicant suggests that ferric sodium edetate has superior technological properties and is more bio-available than other permitted forms of iron. We have found there are no public health and safety concerns with amending the Code in this way and recommend approval.
Calcium in chewing gum containing no more than 0.2% residual sugars
(Application A577 – Draft Assessment)
The Wrigley Company Pty Ltd has requested that the Code be amended to permit the addition of calcium to chewing gum containing no more than 0.2 % residual sugars. FSANZ supports this application because it would p rovide consumers with an additional source of calcium in their diet and may provide consumers with short-term dental benefits. There are no safety concerns for consumers. Comments are welcome.
Food derived from insect-protected corn MON 89034
(Application A595 – Draft Assessment)
Monsanto Australia Ltd wants FSANZ to amend the Code to approve food derived from a GM corn, MON 89034, that has been modified to provide protection against major insect pests. All GM foods must undergo a pre-market safety assessment before they can be sold in Australia and New Zealand. We intend to recommend approval and welcome information and comment.
Extraneous residue limit in honey (paradichlorobenzene)
(Application A602 – Draft Assessment)
An application from the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council requests the inclusion of a temporary extraneous residue limit in the Code for paradichlorobenzene in honey of 0.1 mg/kg for a finite period of five years. We have determined that the residues associated with the proposed limit do not present any public health and safety concerns. Use of this chemical for the treatment of stored hives has been discontinued. Inclusion of the limit would allow apiarists to sell their honey while they identify and replace previously treated hives with residues in an orderly and economically viable timeframe.
Asparaginase as a processing aid (enzyme)
(Application A606 – Draft Assessment)
Novozymes A/S has applied for permission to use an enzyme, asparaginase, as a processing aid. Asparaginase is produced using recombinant DNA techniques, from a strain of the host micro-organismAspergillus oryzae. The company intends supplying asparaginase to the food industry to reduce acrylamide formation in certain foods. We seek comment on our intention to approve this application.
Food safety programs for catering operations to the general public – Australia only
(Proposal P290 – Draft Assessment)
In 2003, the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council proposed that food safety programs be mandatory for four high-risk food industry sectors. One of these sectors is catering operations serving food to the general public. FSANZ has developed a food standard to give effect to the ministerial guidelines. We are now informing the catering industry, governments, consumers and other stakeholders of the results of the initial public consultation and providing an opportunity for stakeholders to comment on the draft standard.
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 .
Media contact: Juliana Madden 0401 714 265 (Australia) or +61 401 714 265 (from New Zealand)