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Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) in spinach products

Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) in spinach products A number of food retailers recalled spinach and mixed salad products from stores in multiple states following detection of shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) in 2 spinach products in March. The recalls were conducted by Aldi, Woolworths, Metcash and Coles for multiple products with use-by dates ranging from 26 March to 9 April 2025. STEC was detected in 2 pre-packaged, ready-to-eat spinach products purchased from separate Queensland supermarkets as part of proactive public health surveillance conducted over several days.       Retailers elected to undertake and extend the recalls in response to the detections as a precaution to protect public health.   Public health and food authorities continue to…

Published 17 April 2025

Report on food handling practices and microbiological quality of sushi in Australia,July 2008

Report on food handling practices and microbiological quality of sushi in Australia,July 2008 Report on food handling practices and microbiological quality of sushi in Australia, July 2008. 26pp, pdf KB Background A national coordinated survey from June 2006 to June 2007 determined the food handling practices and microbiological quality of retail sushi products. Sushi is normally regarded as a potentially hazardous food yet is often displayed and sold out of temperature control. Samples in the survey were tested for:

• chemical aspects - pH & water activity - of acidified rice
• microbiological quality indicators and pathogens present in sushi
• histamine levels in raw seafood

Published 21 May 2013

Regulatory Science Network

Regulatory Science Network   (August 2015)   FSANZ is a member of the Australian Government Regulatory Science Network (RSN). Established in 2011, the RSN is a network of Australian government agencies responsible for regulating chemicals (including radio-isotopes), biological agents, foods and/or therapeutic goods. The mission of the RSN is to strengthen regulatory science across government agencies by:

• Providing a forum where regulatory and technical issues can be discussed, thereby enhancing interagency cooperation;
• Promoting a consistent approach to evidence-based decision-making across regulatory agencies;
• Providing cross-agency training and profession development opportunities for agency scientific staff
• Enhancing cross-agency…

  Published 1 December 2015

Washing and sanitising produce

Washing and sanitising produce If you are a primary processor of leafy vegetables and melons, you must ensure washing and sanitising processes work properly and do not make the food unsafe to eat. What does washing and sanitisation mean?

• Washing fresh produce removes any visible material such as dirt.
• Sanitisation is an additional process that reduces microorganisms on the surface of produce to a safe level, usually with a chemical (e.g. food grade bleach). Sanitisation must only be done after washing, because dirt can make sanitisers less effective.

Published 1 October 2025

General information about GM foods

General information about GM foods People have been manipulating the genetic make-up of plants and animals for countless generations. This is referred to as traditional cross breeding and involves selecting plants and animals with the most desirable characteristics (e.g. disease resistance, high yield, good meat quality) for breeding the next generation. Today's techniques use new ways of identifying particular characteristics and transferring them between living organisms. For example, it is possible to make a copy of a particular gene from the cells of a plant, animal or microbe, and insert the copy into the cells of another organism to give a desired characteristic. Foods derived from organisms that contain novel DNA are called 'GM foods'. Most GM foods approved so far are from GM plants,…

Published 2 September 2025

Call for comment on proposed amendments to pregnancy warning labels on corrugated cardboard packaging of alcoholic beverage

Call for comment on proposed amendments to pregnancy warning labels on corrugated cardboard packaging of alcoholic beverage Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit pregnancy warning marks on corrugated cardboard packaging to be in a single colour on a contrasting background.  The applicant is seeking the changes to address a technical printing issue which results in misalignment of the three-colour pregnancy warning mark on corrugated cardboard packaging, making it difficult to read and reducing effectiveness. Corrugated cardboard is typically used to package multiple cans or bottles of alcoholic beverages.  The proposed changes would allow an alternative larger pregnancy warning mark to be…

Published 6 October 2022

Skills and knowledge for food handlers

Skills and knowledge for food handlers It's important your food handlers and their supervisors have the skills and knowledge to handle food properly so that it's safe to eat. What are the requirements? Under Standard 3.2.2 - Food Safety Practices and General Requirements, you must make sure the people who handle food, and their supervisors, have the skills and knowledge to keep food safe and suitable to eat. Additional requirements may apply to food service businesses that handle potentially hazardous food - see our information on Standard 3.2.2A Food Safety Management Tools. What training is needed? Formal training in specific courses is not…

Published 30 September 2025

Sports foods

Sports foods Sports foods are specially formulated to help people achieve specific nutritional or sporting performance goals. They are intended to supplement the diet of sports people rather than be the only or main source of nutrition. These products are regulated under Standard 2.9.4 - Formulated supplementary sports foods of the Food Standards Code (the Code). To meet the specific dietary requirements of sports people, this Standard allows the addition of substances that are not permitted or are restricted in other foods including higher levels of some vitamins and minerals. This means sports foods are not suitable for children or pregnant women. To help people make informed choices when it comes to sports foods, the label…

Published 8 October 2020

National surveillance of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in retail food

National surveillance of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in retail food FSANZ looked at antimicrobial resistant bacteria in the Australian food supply Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) was funded by the Australian Government Department of Disability, Health and Aging to undertake a project looking at antimicrobial resistant bacteria in the Australian food supply, with the support of all jurisdictions.  Surveillance of raw retail meats was undertaken from September 2022 to July 2023. The analysis was completed in 2024 and the report will be released in 2025. Food samples from three raw retail meats – beef, chicken and pork – were purchased nationally by state and territory regulators.  Murdoch University tested all bacteria…

Published 4 August 2025

Pesticides

Pesticides If you grow or process produce, make sure you use pesticides correctly during growing, harvesting, packing and storage. What are pesticides? Pesticides are agricultural chemicals used to treat pests and diseases during production, growing and storing your produce. These include insecticides, fungicides and herbicides (weed control) you may use during growing of produce; and also insecticides, fungicides or fumigants that may be used during or after packing produce. What is an MRL? MRL stands for maximum residue limit. An MRL is the highest amount of an agricultural or veterinary (agvet) chemical residue that is legally allowed in a food product sold in Australia. MRLs help regulatory agencies check whether a chemical has been used correctly to control pests and diseases in food…

Published 1 October 2025