FOOD STANDARDS NOTIFICATION CIRCULAR
[7-06]
4 October 2006
This Notification Circular includes notices that are required to be given to the public, submitters and appropriate government agencies, under the Food 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 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
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 .
PROGRESS ON APPLICATIONS AND PROPOSALS
Details on Final Assessments, notifications to Council, Council processes and Gazettals from the notice below were published on4 October 2006 in The Australian and TheNew Zealand Herald newspapers as well as on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand website.
NEW APPLICATIONS AND POTENTIAL PROPOSALS
(Public comment is NOT being sought)
FSANZ has received the following Applications and placed them on the FSANZ Food Standards Development Work Plan:
- Application A586 – Maximum Residue Limits (July, August, September 2006): to amend maximum residue limits for a number of agricultural and veterinary chemicals. [Received 7 July 2006]*#
- Application A587 – Maximum Residue Limits – Oxytetracycline (Antibiotic): to amend maximum residue limits for the antibiotic, Oxytetracycline. [Received 2 August 2006]*#
Information on the each application, including the proposed Work Plan Category, an anticipated timetable for assessment and consultation opportunities, is provided in the FSANZ Food Standards Development Work Plan which is available on the FSANZ website at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/standardsdevelopment/standardsworkplan.cfm .
If you wish to be advised of any developments relating to these applications, such as calls for public submissions, please contact the Standards Management Officer at slo@foodstandards.gov.au .
Please note that public comment is NOT being sought at this stage.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT – APPLICATIONS [s.14(1)]
FSANZ received Applications for the development or variation of the following food regulatory measures; accepted the Applications after making an Initial Assessment of them; will make Draft Assessments of these Applications; and invites written submissions on matters relevant to the Applications to be made to FSANZ by 6pm (Canberra time) 15 November 2006:
- Application A552 – Cadmium in Peanuts: to remove the maximum level of 0.1 mg/kg for cadmium in peanuts in Standard 1.4.1, in order to harmonise with Codex. [Received 15 November 2004]
- Application A562 – Copper Citrate as a Processing Aid for Wine: to amend the current permission for cupric citrate on a bentonite base as a processing aid for wine to be less prescriptive and refer to only the active product, cupric citrate. [Received 28 April 2005]
- Application A577 – Addition of Calcium to ‘Sugar-free’ Chewing Gum: to permit the addition of calcium to ‘sugar-free’ chewing gum at a maximum claim level of 100 mg (12.5 % of the RDI) per serve, allowing all forms of calcium currently permitted in the Schedule to Standard 1.1.1. [Received 22 February 2006]
DRAFT ASSESSMENT – APPLICATIONS[s.17(2), s.17A(2)]
FSANZ has prepared draft food regulatory measures or variations for the following Applications; 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) 15 November 2006:
- Application A512 – Definition of Meat Pies: to ensure that meat pies can only contain ‘meat flesh’ and not just ‘meat’.
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) 29 November 2006:
- Proposal P276– Review of Processing Aids (Enzymes): to review the enzymes listed in clauses 15, 16 and 17 of Standard 1.3.3 – Processing Aids.
FINAL ASSESSMENT AND COUNCIL NOTIFICATION – APPLICATIONS AND PROPOSALS – DRAFT STANDARDS [s.19(1), s.20(4A)]
After making Final Assessments in relation to draft variations for the following Applications and Proposal, FSANZ decided to approve the draft variations under section 18 of the FSANZ Act. FSANZ has given the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council (Ministerial Council) written notification of these approvals:
- Application A551 – Amendments to Standard 4.5.1 – Wine Production Requirements
- Application A569 – Lipase from Hansenula polymorpha as a Processing Aid (Enzyme)
- Application A572 – Maximum Residue Limits (October, November, December 2005)#
- Application A579 – Country of Origin – Print Size for Unpackaged Food in Display Cabinets#
- Proposal P295 – Consideration of Mandatory Fortification with Folic Acid
EFFECT OF DIVISIONS 3 AND 4 OF PART 3 OF THE FSANZ ACT
A standard or variation approved by FSANZ does not become legally enforceable until:
- the Ministerial Council has been notified of the standard or variation; and
- the Ministerial Council process in relation to the standard or variation is finalised; and
- FSANZ has fulfilled the publication requirements under the FSANZ Act.
Once FSANZ has notified the Ministerial Council that it has approved the draft standard or variation, the Ministerial Council has 60 days to either request FSANZ to review the approved standard or inform FSANZ that it does not intend to request a review.
If the Ministerial Council requests a review, FSANZ 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; or
- to amend its approval; or
- withdraw its approval; and
give the Ministerial Council FSANZ’s reasons for its decision.
If FSANZ has not withdrawn its approval, the Ministerial Council has another 60 days to either request a second review or inform FSANZ 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 FSANZ 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 FSANZ 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;
FSANZ will publish a notice in the Commonwealth (published by FSANZ as the Food Standards Gazette) and New ZealandGazettesand in newspapers stating when the standard or variation comes into effect. FSANZ 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.
MINISTERIAL COUNCIL REVIEW PROCESS – APPROVED DRAFT STANDARDS (s.21 - 23))
FSANZ has completed its First Review in relation to the following Application and re-affirmed its approval of the approved draft Standard:
- Application A470–Formulated Beverages
FSANZ has completed its Second Review in relation to the following Applications and re-affirmed its approval of the approved draft variations, subject to amendment:
- Application A433–Phytosterol Esters derived from Vegetable Oils in Breakfast Cereals
- Application A434–Phytosterol Esters derived from Vegetable Oils in Low-fat Milk & Yoghurt
- Application A508–Phytosterols derived from Tall Oils as Ingredients in Low-fat Milk
APPLICATION WITHDRAWN [s.12A(2)]
The following Application has been withdrawn by the Applicant:
- Application A581– Addition of Fluoride to Packaged Waters
# 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.
