Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an applicationto harmonise maximum levels (MLs) for marine biotoxins in bivalve shellfish.
FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the application seeks tolower theMLs in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards code (the Code) for two marine biotoxins - diarrhetic shellfish toxins and paralytic shellfish toxins - to align with international and New Zealand standards.
“Marine biotoxins cause serious and sometimes long term toxicity in humans so setting MLs for their presence in shellfish is critical to ensuring food safety,” Dr Cuthbert said.
“Our assessment supported the applicant's request and will harmonise the Code's standards with those set by the international food standards body codex and MLs in place in New Zealand.
“The changes will mean lower levels of biotoxins will be permitted in shellfish, protecting public health and safety and potentially opening up new export opportunities for Australian producers.”
For more information and to access assessment documents, visit the FSANZ call for comment page.
Submissions close 6pm (Canberra time) 17 August 2023.
What happens with my feedback?
Submissions will be published to our website as soon as possible following the public comment period.
FSANZ will consider all feedback received through this submission process before making a decision on whether to approve the application.
FSANZ's decision will be notified to ministers responsible for food regulation who can ask for a review or agree that the standard should become law.
More information:
- How to make a submission
- Read the assessment documents: A1243 Harmonisation of marine biotoxin standards for bivalve shellfish (foodstandards.gov.au)
Media contact:
- 0401 714 265 (Australia)
- +61 401 714 265 (from New Zealand)
- media@foodstandards.gov.au