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What we do
What we do Food Standards Australia New Zealand is the central scientific agency in the bi-national safe food system. Our primary responsibility is to protect public health and safety by ensuring a safe food supply in partnership with food and health authorities in Australia and New Zealand. We do this by developing evidence-based standards for regulators and industry, monitoring the safety of the food supply, supporting consumers to make informed choices and coordinating food incidents and recalls in Australia. We are independent, a unique trans-Tasman agency and internationally-recognised experts in our field. Our…
Published 13 December 2019
Genetically modified foods
Genetically modified foods All genetically modified (GM) foods intended for sale in Australia and New Zealand must undergo a safety assessment by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). FSANZ will not approve a GM food unless it is safe to eat. Read more about GM foods. In this section
Transgenic food animals
Transgenic food animals A Survey of publicly available information (December 2003) By Gregory S. Harper* , Alan Brownlee, Thomas E. Hall, Robert Seymour, Russell Lyons, Patrick Ledwith CSIRO Livestock Industries, 306 Carmody Rd., St. Lucia, Qld 4067 Executive Summary The last decade of animal research has reinforced the view that some food-related qualities of animal products (e.g. eating quality and yield) are strongly influenced by the genotype of the animal. Likewise animal production performance characteristics (e.g. growth rate and disease resistance) have been improved by selective breeding. One significant advantage of transgenesis is in rapid genetic improvement of traits of interest, and a dramatic example…
Published 3 April 2013
Notifying your food enforcement agency
Notifying your food enforcement agency It is important that all businesses that make or sell food are known to enforcement agencies so that these agencies can ensure that food businesses are handling food safely. The food safety standards require all food businesses to provide the following information to the appropriate enforcement agency before any food handling begins:
- contact details for the business, including the name of the business and the name and address of the proprietor;
- the nature of the business; and
- the location of all food premises that are within the jurisdiction of the enforcement agency.
Published 5 March 2018
Caffeine powders and high caffeine content foods
Caffeine powders and high caffeine content foods Pure and highly concentrated caffeine food products (including pure caffeine powders) are banned from retail sale in Australia and New Zealand. These products are typically bought online and can have serious health effects, including death. Pure and highly concentrated caffeine powders are typically marketed as sports supplements and can contain the same amount of caffeine as 25 – 50 cups of coffee in a single teaspoon. Because these powders come in bulk packets, it is almost impossible for people to measure a safe dose from a toxic dose and has resulted in death. About the ban To protect consumers in Australia and New Zealand, foods that contain 5% or more of caffeine in solid or semi-solid…
Published 27 November 2023
New survey reveals consumer attitudes to food safety in Australia and New Zealand
New survey reveals consumer attitudes to food safety in Australia and New Zealand Published 29 May 2024 A new survey has found consumers rate nutrition above other food values such as naturalness, convenience and country of origin, with almost three-quarters of Australian and New Zealand consumers putting effort into maintaining a healthy diet. The first Consumer Insights Tracker (CIT) survey run by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has revealed consumers look for food labels that can help them identify nutritious foods and make good dietary choices. FSANZ surveyed more than 2000 Australian and New Zealand consumers to understand their trust in, and understanding of, the shared food regulation system covering both countries. Results from the 2023 CIT have just been released, with key findings…
Published 30 May 2024
Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standards (Chapter 4)
Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standards (Chapter 4)
NOTE: these standards apply to all food businesses in Australia only. Food businesses in New Zealand are required to comply with New Zealand's Food Act 2014 and the regulations and standards under this Act. For more information visit the Ministry for Primary Industries website.Primary production and processing (PPP) standards aim to strengthen food safety and traceability throughout the food supply chain, from paddock to plate. They were developed by FSANZ with assistance from other Australian government agencies, industry stakeholders and consumer groups. There are 11 standards…
Published 22 May 2025
Food derived using new breeding techniques - review
Food derived using new breeding techniques - review We have been reviewing how the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) applies to food derived using new breeding techniques (NBTs). NBTs are new approaches in plant and animal breeding that were not in use when Standard 1.5.2 - Food produced using gene technology - was first developed nearly 20 years ago. Since early 2018 we have been consulting with the key stakeholders and the community to look at how food derived from NBTs should be captured for pre-market approval under Standard 1.5.2 and whether the definitions for 'food produced using gene technology' and 'gene technology' in Standard 1.1.2 - 2 should be changed to improve clarity about which foods require pre-market approval. In February…
Published 7 October 2021
Media statement on aspartame
Media statement on aspartame The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reaffirmed the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for aspartame following two scientific reviews of the artificial sweetener. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) monograph and Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee for Food Additives (JECFA) summary assessment of aspartame were released today (Friday 14 July 2023). Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the JECFA assessment found the current ADI for aspartame in food and beverages was appropriate. “This is good news for consumers in Australia and New Zealand who can be assured our food standards for aspartame align with international benchmarks,” Dr Cuthbert said. “The JECFA conclusion is in line with numerous international studies which have found aspartame to be safe at current permitted levels of use with…
Published 24 July 2023
Imported ready-to-eat berries
Imported ready-to-eat berries In response to several recalls of imported frozen ready-to-eat (RTE) berries linked to hepatitis A in 2015 and 2017, Australia introduced requirements for frozen berries being imported from all countries. FSANZ has provided information to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment about berries and hepatitis A - read the imported food risk statement (pdf 266 kb). FSANZ and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries also developed guidance for industry on inactivation of hepatitis A virus in berry fruits.…
Published 4 March 2022