The latest update of the Compendium of Microbiological Criteria for Food is now live, with new chapters providing targeted guidance for the seafood sector and emerging cell-cultured foods.

The compendium is a practical reference for food businesses and regulators, containing nationally consistent microbiological criteria for ready-to-eat foods and specific commodities, along with advice on environmental monitoring.  

Each year, we receive around 30 applications to amend the Food Standards Code. These can cover everything from novel foods and processing aids to labelling and food additives. 

The Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criterion (NPSC) helps food businesses determine whether a food is eligible to carry a health claim under Standard 1.2.7 of the Food Standards Code.

On 25 July 2025, food ministers endorsed 4 FSANZ Board decisions, clearing the way for changes to the Food Standards Code to be formally gazetted in coming weeks.

Mandatory energy labelling on alcoholic beverages (P1059) will help consumers make more informed choices by clearly showing how much energy (kilojoules) is in each drink. This change supports national efforts to reduce diet-related chronic disease and improve public health.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the use of the enzyme phospholipase C as a processing aid.

The Food Standards Australia and New Zealand Board met on 26 March 2025 to discuss and decide on standards matters, as well as governance, organisational, performance, and strategic matters.