Overview
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand Board met on 29 April 2026 to discuss and decide on standards matters.
The FSANZ Board is the accountable authority for the agency.
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. If no review is sought, the changes are given legal effect in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
The following decisions were notified to the FMM on 11 May 2026:
The Board approved Application A1304 to amend the Food Standards Code to permit the use of the enzyme endo-1,4-beta-xylanase as a processing aid in the production of potable alcohol and starch and gluten fractions.
The Board approved Application A1305 to amend the Food Standards Code to permit the use of the enzyme alpha-amylase as a processing aid in starch processing, to produce starch hydrolysates and in the production of potable alcohol.
The Board approved Application A1332 to allow molecularly-imprinted adsorbent resins to be used as a processing aid in Australian wine production. The resins help to remove smoke taint from wine caused by bushfire smoke exposure during grape growing. Cross-linked polyester resins can already be used in wine made and sold in New Zealand and in wine imported into Australia. This approval would allow use in wine produced in Australia under Standard 4.5.1.
The Board approved Proposal M1023 to amend Schedule 20 on Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals in Australia only. These changes allow the sale of foods with necessary residue levels to maintain strong public health and consumer safeguards and align regulations with international standards to support trade.
FSANZ’s approval of the Schedule 20 amendments reflects alignment with:
- the MRLs adopted by Codex Alimentarius;
- requests from stakeholders seeking harmonisation with standards established by international trading partners; and
- requests from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to reflect changes in agvet chemical usage within Australia.
New FSANZ Board Chair
The FSANZ Board welcomed Acting Chair, Robyn Kruk AO, former FSANZ Board Chair. Ms Kruk will fill the role while a recruitment process for a permanent Chair is completed.
Ms Kruk has extensive experience as Chief Executive, Chair or Director of national and state policy, regulatory, conservation, research and service delivery agencies including Secretary of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, NSW Health and NSW Premier and Cabinet. Robyn brings a wealth of expertise to the FSANZ Board.
Applications for the FSANZ Board Chair position close on 18 May 2026.