Food standards play a critical role in everyday life, ensuring the safety of the food you eat. Behind them is a robust process informed by science, evidence and expert risk assessment.
At Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), science plays an important role across the food regulation system. From food safety and nutrition to new technologies and ingredients, science and evidence help inform the food standards that underpin the joint Australia and New Zealand food regulation system.
This National Science Week, we're exploring the science behind the food standards that mean Australians and New Zealanders can trust the safety of the food they buy, prepare and consume every day.
Turning evidence into standards
Every food standard begins with evidence.
FSANZ assesses the latest available science, undertakes rigorous risk analysis and consults with stakeholders to develop or amend food standards. This helps ensure standards decisions are informed by research and evidence, transparent and open to public and stakeholder input.
FSANZ's work draws on a range of scientific expertise, including toxicology, nutrition, food technology, microbiology, biotechnology, public health, immunology, chemistry, mathematical modelling, epidemiology, behavioural and social science and regulatory analysis. Together, these disciplines help assess evidence and provide scientific advice on a wide range of food-related issues.
Science is one part of a broader system
Food regulation in Australia and New Zealand involves a range of organisations with different responsibilities.
FSANZ's role is to assess evidence and develop food standards, while other organisations are responsible for policy, implementation and enforcement activities. Understanding these different roles helps build confidence in how the food regulation system operates.
Science helps inform food standards that support public health and safety, contribute to consumer confidence and respond to emerging issues affecting the food supply.
Why consultation matters
Science is an essential part of food standards development, but so is consultation.
Consumers, public health organisations, industry, government agencies, researchers and other interested stakeholders all have the opportunity to contribute feedback during consultation processes. This helps ensure decisions are informed by diverse perspectives and relevant evidence and that standards development is transparent and open to public and stakeholder input.
Building understanding
Food standards are part of everyday life, but much of the work behind them happens out of sight.
The science behind your food extends beyond the development of food standards, helping build the evidence needed to understand emerging issues in the food supply and support the food regulation system.
National Science Week provides an opportunity to better understand the science, evidence and expertise that underpin food standards and the role they play in supporting a safe and suitable food supply for Australians and New Zealanders.
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Quotes attributable to Dr Sandra Cuthbert, CEO
“Most people don't think about food standards when they sit down for a meal, but they rely on them every day.
“The science behind food standards is often invisible to consumers, yet it plays an important role in helping ensure the food we eat is safe.
“National Science Week is an opportunity to recognise the scientists, risk analysts and other specialists whose work helps us understand emerging issues, assess evidence and provide the advice that supports the food regulation system.”
Quotes attributable to Christel Leemhuis, General Manager - Public Health Branch
“Food standards play an important role in protecting public health and supporting informed consumer choices.
“Behind every food standard is a careful assessment of evidence. Our teams draw on expertise from nutrition, toxicology, public health, behavioural science and many other disciplines to evaluate risks and benefits and help ensure decisions are informed latest available science and evidence.
“National Science Week is a chance to recognise the scientists and experts whose work helps support a safe, nutritious and reliable food supply for Australians and New Zealanders.”
Quotes attributable to Dr Matt O'Mullane, General Manager - Food Safety Branch
“Science helps us understand emerging issues in the food supply, assess potential risks and determine what action, if any, may be needed.
“That work extends beyond the development of food standards. Monitoring, surveillance and risk assessment all contribute to building the evidence needed to support the food regulation system.
“Every day, our scientists and risk analysts assess evidence and provide the advice that informs food standards and helps keep the food supply safe.”