FOOD STANDARDS NOTIFICATION CIRCULAR
6 March 2008
[3-08]
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, processes and – where applicable – reasons for decisions, can be accessed on the FSANZ website at www.foodstandards.gov.au under< Standards Development>, 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 |
General questions on the work of FSANZ should be directed to the Information Officer at the either of the addresses above. Queries concerning the matters in this Circular on assessment or submission processes should be directed to the Standards Management Officer at standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au .
NEW APPLICATIONS
(Note that this section is not a call for public comment)
FSANZ has received the following Applications and placed them on the FSANZ Food Standards Development Work Plan:
GENERAL PROCEDURE
- Application A1004 – Phospholipase A2 as a Processing Aid (Enzyme): to seek approval for a new microbial source for phospholipase A2 produced from a genetically modified strain ofAspergillus nigerfor use as an emulsifier in bakery products, sauces and dressings [21 January 2008] [DSM Food Specialities]
- Application A1005 – Conjugated Linoleic Acid Triglycerides as a Novel Food: to approve exclusive use of a chemically defined mixture of conjugated linoleic acid triglycerides derived from food-grade safflower oil with a high linoleic acid content as a novel food [22 February 2008] [Cognis GmbH via Axiome Pty Ltd]
Information on each Application, including 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 . Administrative Assessment Reports can be accessed on the FSANZ website at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/standardsdevelopment/applications/index.cfm .
If you wish to be advised of any developments relating to the above Applications, such as calls for public submissions, please contact the Standards Management Officer at standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au .
Please note that the above section is not a call for public comment.
APPLICATIONS AND PROPOSALS
GENERAL PROCEDURE
Assessment – Proposals [s.61]
FSANZ has assessed and prepared draft food regulatory measures for the following Proposals; will further consider each of these drafts; and invites written submissions for the purpose of either approving, amending or rejecting the draft food regulatory measures by 6pm (Canberra time) 3 April 2008:
- Proposal P1002 – Hydrocyanic Acid in Ready-to-Eat Cassava Chips: to include a Maximum Level for hydrocyanic acid in ready to eat cassava chips
- Proposal M1001 – Maximum Residue Limits (September, October, November, December 2007): to consider incorporating maximum residue limits (MRLs) for agricultural and veterinary chemicals that may legitimately occur in food [Australia only]
APPLICATION WITHDRAWN [s.24]
The following Application has been withdrawn by the Applicant:
- Application A1002 – Conjugated Linoleic Acid Triglycerides as a Novel Food
APPLICATION WITHDRAWN [s.12A(2) as was in force prior to 1 July 2007]
The following Application has been withdrawn by the Applicant:
- Potential Application A567 – Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides in Packaged Waters
OTHER MATTERS
Amendments to the FSANZ Act
Major amendments to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 passed the Australian Parliament on 20 June 2007 and were proclaimed on 1 July 2007. These amendments affect how FSANZ assesses applications received and proposals prepared to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code from 1 October 2007 onwards. Further information on these changes is available from the FSANZ website at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/standardsdevelopment/informationforapplicants/index.cfm
Email address changes
The email address ‘slo@foodstandards.gov.au’ has been discontinued. Two new email addresses, standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au (for all general inquiries about standards issues) and submissions@foodstandards.gov.au (for public submissions on assessment reports only) have been created. Any emails sent to ‘slo’ will be automatically redirected to the new ‘standards.management’ email address.
[Australia only] 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. If the matter is open for public comment, anyone may provide submissions in relation to these matters.