The Binational Food Industry Dialogue (BFID) provides a forum for ongoing engagement between FSANZ and the food industry. It supports information sharing on common issues of interest, offers industry perspectives on standards development, enhances understanding of FSANZ processes, and facilitates collaboration on matters arising from significant food incidents. BFID membership includes major retailers, peak industry bodies, and several government agencies to provide updates and support conversations.
Member organisations
- Aldi
- Alternative Proteins Council
- Australian Beverages Council
- Australian Dairy Products Federation
- Australian Department of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries
- Australian Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water
- Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Australian Food and Grocery Council
- Australian Industry Group
- Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST)
- Coles
- Croplife
- Dairy Australia
- Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ)
- Food and Beverages Importers Association
- Foodstuffs New Zealand
- Freshcare
- Implementation Subcommittee for Food Regulation
- Independent Food Distributors Australia
- Infant Nutrition Council
- Meat and Livestock Australia
- Metcash
- National Retail Association
- New Zealand Beverage Council
- New Zealand Food and Grocery Council
- New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries
- New Zealand Ministry of Health
- Restaurant and Catering industry Association
- Woolworths
* Each Peak Body may nominate rotating members to attend meetings as observers.
Committee Highlights
BFID12 Committee Highlights - March 2026
The Binational Food Industry Dialogue (BFID) met on 26 March, chaired by FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert. The BFID provides a forum for two-way engagement and information sharing between FSANZ and food industry representatives from Australia and New Zealand.
BFID held its 12th meeting, and first for 2026, to discuss current and emerging issues across the Australian and New Zealand food industry.
Updates
Members received a comprehensive update on FSANZ’s current work, including the potential mandating of the Health Star Rating system and the review of commercial foods for infants and young children.
FSANZ also outlined the staged approach under the 2030 FSANZ Roadmap, with initial work commencing on young child formula, HSR, the evaluation framework and digital labelling.
Members further received updates from the Implementation Subcommittee on Food Regulation, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, including an update on NZMPI’s digital food labelling trial and consultation.
Members discussed concerns regarding the ongoing fuel crisis and its potential impacts on supply chain stability, including pressures on packaging, ingredients and logistics. In response to their concerns, FSANZ convened the Implementation Subcommittee for Food Regulation (ISFR) Incident Response Working Group to bring together regulators to discuss a coordinated food regulation system response.
Discussion
The Therapeutic Goods Administration presented on the food–medicine interface (FMI), outlining its compliance principles and enforcement protocols. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority provided an overview of its role in regulating agricultural and veterinary chemicals to protect people, animals and the environment, and advised it would provide further updates as legislation progresses.
Members also received an update from the National Health and Medical Research Council on its review of the Australian Dietary Guidelines, including the scope, phases and timeframes, with targeted and public consultation planned for later this year. Members welcomed the breadth of the review and discussed opportunities for collaboration with industry.
A robust discussion, led by the Australian Food and Grocery Council explored ultra‑processed foods. Members considered the evolving definition, highlighting the complexity of the issue, including health impacts, consumer behaviour, affordability and broader food system impacts, while emphasising the importance of establishing a clear definition.
Next meeting
In other business, the FSANZ Board Communiqué and an update on the FSANZ Stakeholder Forum were provided. The Forum will be held in Brisbane on Wednesday, 17 June, with tickets now on sale. The next BFID meeting will be held on Thursday, 20 August 2026.
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