FOOD STANDARDS INFORMATION SERVICE
INFORMATION CIRCULAR 05/03
20 November 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 Developments ] and then [ Information Circulars ] (links to the documents are contained in the relevant numbered Information Circular). People without access to the internet should contact FSANZ at one of the addresses below to arrange alternate access to public documents:
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 20 November 2002 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 a Draft Assessment of the following matter, the Authority has prepared draft food regulatory measures and will be conducting a Final Assessment in relation to these drafts. You are invited to present written submissions to the Authority for consideration in the Final Assessment of this matter by 15 January 2003.
- Application A478- Deletion of Endosulfan MRLs for Certain Brassica & Leafy Vegetables [received 25/9/2002] #*
# 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.
* These matters relate 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.
DECISIONS NOTIFIED TO COUNCIL
The Authority has made Final Assessments of draft standards and variations to standards in relation to the applications and proposals outlined below. The Authority has approved the drafts under section 18 of the FSANZ Act and has given written notification of its approval to the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council (Ministerial Council).
- Proposal P239 - Listeria Risk Assessment and Risk Management Strategy
- Proposal P262 - Minor Amendments Omnibus (III) #
- Proposal P263 - Raw Milk Very Hard Cooked Curd (Parmesan Style) Cheeses #
- Proposal P267 - Labelling of Home Brew Kits #
- Proposal P268 - Transitional Arrangements for Labelling Milk #
- Proposal P269- New Zealand Transition for Caffeine in Artificial Drinks #
- Proposal P270 - Foods for Infants: Electrolytic Iron and Clarification of the Term 'Juice' #
A standard or variation approved by the Authority does not become legally enforceable until:
- the Ministerial Council has been notified of the standard or variation;
- the Ministerial Council process in relation to the standard or variation is finalised; and
- the Authority has fulfilled the publication requirements under the FSANZ Act.
Once the Authority has notified the Ministerial Council that it has approved the draft standard or variation, the Ministerial Council has 60 days to either request the Authority to review the approved standard or inform the Authority that it does not intend to request a review.
If the Ministerial Council requests a review, the Authority must within 3 months (or longer if the Ministerial Council allows) complete the review and notify the Ministerial Council of a decision to either:
- maintain its original approval;
- to amend its approval; or
- withdraw its approval; and
give the Ministerial Council the Authority's reasons for its decision.
If the Authority has not withdrawn its approval, the Ministerial Council has another 60 days to either request a second review or inform the Authority that it does not intend to request a second review. If the Ministerial Council requests a second review, the procedures and timeframe are the same as for the first review. Once an approved standard has been reviewed twice, the Ministerial Council has 60 days to inform the Authority that the Council does not intend to amend or reject the approved standard, or to amend or reject the approved standard.
If the Ministerial Council informs the Authority that:
- it does not intend to request a review of the approved standard; or
- it does not intend to amend or reject the approved standard; or
- it has amended the approved standard after the second review;
the Authority will publish a notice in the Commonwealth (published by FSANZ as the Food Standards Gazette) and New Zealand Gazettes and in newspapers stating when the standard or variation comes into effect. The Authority will also publish this notice along with the text of the standard on the FSANZ website and make copies of these available for inspection by the public. The standard becomes legally effective on the date specified in the notice.
MATTER WITHDRAWN
The Authority has deemed the following application to be withdrawn under section 34 of the FSANZ Act.
- Application A471 - Zinc as a Flavour Enhancer in Chewing Gum
OTHER MATTERS
Improved Website Access
The Authority is pleased to announce that it has recently upgraded its Internet connection to high speed broadband. This upgrade should significantly improve speed and accessibility of assessment reports and related resources on our Website.
Amendment No. 63 to the Food Standards Code
Published by the Authority on its website on Thursday 24 October 2002, it includes amendments resulting from the following matters.
- Application A436 - 'Bollgard II' Insect-Protected Cotton Containing Event 15985
- Proposal P253 - Wine Production Standard
Hard Copies of the Food Standards Code
Hard copies of the Food Standards Code up to and including Amendment 62 and Users Guides are available for purchase from Anstat Pty Ltd on Ph: 03 9278 1144 or order online at http://anzfa.anstat.com.au.