FOOD STANDARDS INFORMATION SERVICE
INFORMATION CIRCULAR 03/03
2 October 2002
INFORMATION ON FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND (FSANZ)
Information Papers including copies of the Reports for the applications or proposals referenced below can be accessed on the FSANZ (the Authority) website at www.foodstandards.gov.au under [Standards Development]
The Information Officer | The Office Administrator |
Food Standards Australia New Zealand | Food Standards Australia New Zealand |
PO Box 7186 | PO Box 10559 |
CANBERRA BC ACT 2610 | WELLINGTON 6036 |
AUSTRALIA | NEW ZEALAND |
Tel (02) 6271 2241 Fax (02) 6271 2278 | Tel (04) 473 9942 Fax (04) 473 9855 |
Email: info@foodstandards.gov.au | Email: info@foodstandards.govt.nz |
General questions on the work of the Authority should be directed to the Information Officer at the address above. Queries concerning the matters in this Circular or the application or submission processes should be directed to the Standards Liaison Officer at slo@foodstandards.gov.au
PROGRESS ON APPLICATIONS AND PROPOSALS
NOTICES. The notice below was published on 2 October2002 in The Australian and The New Zealand Herald newspapers as well as on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand website.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS - MATTERS GOING TO FINAL ASSESSMENT
After making Draft Assessments of the following matters, the Authority has prepared draft food regulatory measures and will be conducting Final Assessments in relation to these drafts. You are invited to present written submissions to the Authority in relation to these matters by 16 October 2002 and by 30 October for P238 only.
- Proposal P238 - BSE Risk Assessment and Risk Management Strategy *s. 37: examines minimising the potential risks of transmission of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy agent to humans through food.
- Proposal P239 - Listeria Risk Assessment and Risk Management Strategy: examines regulatory options for managing the food related hazards associated with Listeria monocytogenes.
- Proposal P267 - Labelling of Home Brew Kits #: examines exempting home brew kits from Nutrition Information Panel requirements.
- Proposal P268 - Transitional Arrangements for Labelling Milk #: addresses the transitional use of different wording for warning statements on milk in Australia and New Zealand.
- Proposal P269 - New Zealand Transition for Caffeine in Artificial Drinks #: examines allowing the existing permission for caffeine to be added to some soft drinks in New Zealand to continue.
- Proposal P270 - Foods for Infants: Electrolytic Iron and Clarification of the Term 'Juice' #
# Indicates matters progressed with one round of public consultation under s.36 of the FSANZ Act 1991 as the Authority was satisfied that they raised issues of minor significance or complexity only. Subject to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975, application may be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of the decision (under section 36) by a person whose interests are affected by the decision.
*This matter relates to Australia only standards that are not part of the joint regulatory arrangements with New Zealand however, food from Australia complying with these standards may be supplied in New Zealand. Anyone may provide submissions in relation to these matters.
s.37 Previously recommended to Council under s.37 of the ANZFA Act 1991as a matter of urgency in order to avoid compromising the objectives set out in subsection 10(1) (a) of the Act, namely the protection of public health & safety.
OTHER MATTERS
New Shoppers Guide Available
The new official Shoppers Guide to Food Additives and Food Labels was launched by the Authority on 19 September 2002 and is now publicly available through bookshops, supermarkets and newsagencies in Australia (RRP $4.95) and New Zealand (RRP $5.95). The book has been developed to assist consumers understand and use the information presented on food labels and sets out the full list of permitted food additives by name and by number.