Published
Overview
The Food Standards Australia and New Zealand Board met on 16 and 17 September 2025 to discuss and decide on food standard matters.
Matters for Decision notified to the Food Ministers’ Meeting
Once notified, the Food Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) has 60 days to consider FSANZ Board decisions on standards matters. The following decisions will be notified within 10 business days:
P1060 Egg Food Safety and Primary Production Requirements
The Board approved Proposal P1060 which strengthened food safety management in the primary production and processing of eggs and egg products.
The proposal assessed microbiological risk, particularly for Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) and other Salmonella species, reviewed domestic and international best practice, modelled the impacts of proposed mitigations and considered cost-benefit and stakeholder input.
The Board noted the ongoing work across the food regulation system to prepare for implementation of the of new standard, if agreed to by Ministers. The Board discussed the importance of developing guidance material for industry and regulators over the 18 months transition period.
The Board acknowledged the pivotal role and collaborative approach of the Implementation Sub Committee for Food Regulation (ISFR) and Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC) and the significant role of the Standards Development Advisory Group and the Egg Expert Advisory Committee in supporting the work and implementation plan.
A1288 Thermolysin from Anoxybacillus caldoproteolyticus Rokko as a processing aid
The Board approved Application A1288 from IFF Australia Pty Ltd (trading as Danisco Australia Pty Ltd) to amend the Code to permit the use of the enzyme thermolysin (EC 3.4.24.27) sourced from a Rokko strain of Anoxybacillus caldiproteolyticus as a processing aid.
The enzyme can be used for protein hydrolysis in the manufacture and/or processing of dairy foods, eggs, meat and fish, protein concentrates and isolates, yeast and in beer brewing.
Other matters considered
A1155 Five Year Review 2’-FL and LNnT in infant formula and other products
FSANZ completed a Five Year Review of voluntary addition of 2′-FL and LNnT, human-identical milk oligosaccharides (HiMO) to infant formula products. The Review was requested by the FMM following the approval of the first industry application to determine whether there was sufficient evidence of a ‘substantiated beneficial role in the normal growth and development of infants, or a technological role’ to align with specific policy principle (j) of the Ministerial Policy Guideline.
The review presents a summary of the ongoing evidence assessed by FSANZ in Application A1155 and in subsequent HiMO applications over the last four years (A1190, A1233, A1251, A1265, A1277, A1283).
The Review confirmed the evidence of the addition of 2′-FL and LNnT from microbial sources to infant formula products has bifidogenic and anti-pathogenic outcomes for infants based on the ongoing evidence assessed.
The outcomes of the Review will be provided to FRSC in September and the FMM in November.
Governance, risk and performance
The Board held its annual Risk Workshop where it reviewed strategic and emerging risks, evaluated current controls, and assessed the Board’s risk appetite through tools like surveys and scenario planning. The Board also supported ongoing improvement in risk governance, including updates to the Risk Management Framework.
The Board welcomed Dr Lisa Szabo, Executive Director of Biosecurity and Food Safety at Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales, who addressed the FSANZ Board on the Food Regulation system and FMM priorities, and Lydia Buchtmann, CEO of the Food Safety Information Council (FSIC), who discussed current system risks and highlighted how the FSIC responds through communication efforts, also suggesting ways FSANZ could collaborate more effectively with groups like the FSIC to address these risks.
Ministerial discussion
The Board welcomed the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health and Assistant Minister Women, the Hon Rebecca White for a strategic discussion. The Minister reiterated the importance of the binational food system and provided key insights into Government priorities for ongoing collaboration across portfolios which contribute to safe and healthy food outcomes.
Departing Board members
The Board farewelled three long serving Board members: Sue Chetwin CNZM, Josephine Davey and John Hart OAM. Each commenced their FSANZ Board journey on 17 October 2017, bringing a diverse and complementary set of skills that have shaped FSANZ’s direction over the past eight years.
Their tenure reflects a period of transformation, improved productivity, innovation and strengthened governance. The Board and staff extended their deepest gratitude to Sue, Jo, and John for their dedication, wisdom, and collegiality. Their legacy will continue to influence FSANZ’s work, and the Board wished them every success in their future endeavours.