FOOD STANDARDS NOTIFICATION CIRCULAR

This Notification Circular includes notices that are required to be given to the public, submitters and appropriate government agencies, under theFood Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991(FSANZ Act).   All references below to sections of legislation, are to the FSANZ Act unless otherwise indicated.

Further information about the applications, proposals and any other matters mentioned below, including assessment reports and – where applicable – reasons for decisions, can be accessed on the FSANZ website at  www.foodstandards.gov.au under <StandardsDevelopment>, then <Documents for Public Comment>and then.   Persons may contact FSANZ at one of the addresses below to arrange alternative access to these 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   +61 2 6271 2241      Fax   +61 2 6271 2278	Tel   +64 4 978 5630        Fax   +64 4 473 9855
Email:   info@foodstandards.gov.au	Email:   info@foodstandards.govt.nz

 

General questions on the work of FSANZ should be directed to the Information Officer at the address above.   Queries concerning the matters in this Circular or application or submission processes should be directed to the Standards Management Officer at slo@foodstandards.gov.au .

INITIAL ASSESSMENT – PROPOSALS [s.14A(1)]

FSANZ has prepared a Proposal for the development or variation of the following food regulatory measure and will make a Draft Assessment of this Proposal:

• Proposal P302– Minor Amendments Omnibus VI:   to correct errors of minor significance or complexity (including typographical errors inconsistencies, misspellings, grammatical errors, deletions and corrections of tables).*

DRAFT ASSESSMENT – APPLICATIONS[s.17(2), s.17A(2)]

FSANZ has prepared a draft variation for the following Application; will make a Final Assessment in relation to the draft; and invites written submissions for the purpose of making a Final Assessment by 6pm (Canberra time) 31 July 2006 :

•  Application A579 – Country of Origin – Print Size for Unpackaged Food in Display Cabinets:   to vary the print size requirement for signs associated with unpackaged product when declaring country of origin.*#

DRAFT ASSESSMENT – PROPOSALS [s.17AA(1), s.17AB(1)]

FSANZ has prepared draft food regulatory measures or variations for the following Proposals; will make Final Assessments in relation to each of these drafts; and invites written submissions for the purpose of making a Final Assessment by   6pm (Canberra time)

17 July 2006 for Proposal P302and 6pm (Canberra time) 31 July 2006   for  Proposal P295:

• Proposal P295 – Consideration of Mandatory Fortification with Folic Acid:   to determine the most effective mechanism to increase total folate intake in peri-conceptional women to reduce the incidence of Neural Tube Defects from current levels in the Australian and New Zealand populations.
•  Proposal P302– Minor Amendments Omnibus VI:   to correct errors of minor significance or complexity (including typographical errors inconsistencies, misspellings, grammatical errors, deletions and corrections of tables).*

*  Indicates a matter in relation to which FSANZ has decided not to hold a round of consultation between Initial and Draft Assessment, as it is satisfied that omitting to hold such consultation will not have a significant adverse effect on the interests of anyone/the Application raises issues of minor significance or complexity only (s. 36(1C)).    A person whose interests are affected by this decision may: subject to theAdministrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975, make an application to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of FSANZ’s decision; and except where subsection 28(4) of that Act applies, in accordance with section 28, may apply for a statement in writing setting out the findings of material questions of fact, referring to the evidence or other materials on which those findings were based and giving the reasons for 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, if the matter is open for public comment.