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State and territory Food Recall Action Officers

State and territory Food Recall Action Officers Consumers should contact their local food regulatory agency if they have a food complaint. Industry can download the Food Recall Action Officers business hours contact list (P​DF 154KB)​ or select a state or territory from the below dropdown menu to display details.…

Published 5 March 2025

Survey of Plasticisers in Australian Foods

Survey of Plasticisers in Australian Foods (March 2018)   The Survey of Plasticisers in Australian Foods investigated the levels of seven plasticisers which may be used in food packaging materials. The following plasticisers were inspected in broad range of Australian foods: di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) diisononyl phthalate (DINP) butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) dibutyl phthalate (DBP) diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) the adipate plasticiser; di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) the citrate plasticiser; acetyltributylcitrate (ATBC). These substances have been associated with plastic, paper and cardboard food packaging as well as food grade adhesives and sealants. The survey looked at 65 different packaged foods and beverages that represent typical consumption patterns for Australian consumers.   The survey…

Published 15 March 2018

Colours and food additives reported as banned

Colours and food additives reported as banned Sometimes colours and other food additives are reported as “banned” in some countries but permitted in Australia and New Zealand. A lack of permission in a country is not the same thing as a ban. It may mean manufacturers have never sought permission to use the additive, usually because alternatives are approved. Sometimes additives are not approved because of circumstances unique to a country (e.g. different dietary exposure). Different countries also have their own food regulatory systems and legislation. This can mean an additive may have been banned many years ago, however scientific evidence since then has proven it is safe. For example, there is legislation in the US that prevents permission of…

Published 15 September 2021

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 of its impact can be seen in transgenic coho salmon that grow up to 11 times faster than their non-transgenic…

Published 3 April 2013

Nanotechnology and Food

Nanotechnology and Food What is nanotechnology? Nanotechnology describes a range of technologies used to manipulate materials that are generally less than 100 nanometres (nm) in size in one dimension. One nm is one billionth of a metre. Are nanotechnologies being used in foods? There is little evidence to suggest nanotechnologies are being used in the food industry on a wide scale, although a lot of research is being undertaken on potential applications. Future applications of nanotechnologies could include nanostructured food products, nanoscale or nano-encapsulated food additives, or food packaging with improved properties. There are, however, certain foods including food additives that naturally contain nanoscale particles.  Are nanoscale materials new? Nanoscale materials are not new. Food is…

Published 28 September 2022

Microbiological limits for food (Standard 1.6.1 and Schedule 27)

Microbiological limits for food (Standard 1.6.1 and Schedule 27) NOTE: This standard applies to both Australia and New Zealand. Standard 1.6.1 Microbiological limits in food aims to prevent foodborne illness from food containing unsafe levels of microorganisms. The standard sets out how to determine whether a specific lot of food has an unacceptable level of microorganisms. Maximum permissible limits for particular microorganisms in different food groups are listed in the accompanying Schedule 27. In addition to the standard, FSANZ has developed guideline levels for certain other microorganisms and foods. These can be accessed in our…

Published 30 September 2025

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in foods

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in foods (November 2022) Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are naturally occurring plant toxins which may cause adverse health effects when consumed at high enough levels. There are more than 600 different PAs which are produced by about 6000 types of plants. PAs have been found in some foods, including honey, tea, herbs, spices, grains, and animal products such as meat, milk and eggs. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in honey PAs may be present in honey when bees forage on PA-containing flowers such as Paterson's Curse, also known as Salvation Jane.  In 2001, FSANZ established a safe level of dietary exposure for PAs of one microgram per kilogram bodyweight per day based on known toxicity in humans.…

Published 9 January 2023

Review of titanium dioxide as a food additive

Review of titanium dioxide as a food additive FSANZ has completed a review of the safety of titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a food additive. Our review found there is currently no evidence to suggest dietary exposure to food-grade titanium dioxide is a concern for human health. Titanium dioxide is a natural pigment that has been used for decades as a colouring agent to make foods whiter or brighter. In Australia and New Zealand it is allowed to be added to a wide range of foods. Its long history of use in food has not given rise to reports of adverse effects. Multiple reviews of titanium dioxide by FSANZ and regulators overseas have concluded that there are no safety concerns from its use in food. In 2021 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a new report which…

Published 28 September 2022

Call for comment on a new enzyme processing aid

Call for comment on a new enzyme processing aid Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow an enzyme processing aid phospholipase A1 to be produced from a new genetically modified (GM) Asperigillus oryzae.  FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the enzyme phospholipase A1 has a long history of safe use and is already approved to be sourced from a different strain of Aspergillus oryzae. “FSANZ's safety assessment found no health or safety concerns for Australian and New Zealand consumers,' Dr Cuthbert said. “If approved, this processing aid will be permitted for use as a processing aid in bakery products.' Guidance on how to make a submission is provided on the call for comment page on the FSANZ website. …

Published 18 May 2022

Call for comment on shiitake mushroom mycelia as a processing aid

Call for comment on shiitake mushroom mycelia as a processing aid Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to permit the use of a processing aid for protein processing.The application is seeking approval of a fermented preparation of shiitake mushroom mycelia, the root-like structure of the fungus.This preparation is intended to function as a processing aid for the fermentation of pea and rice protein. FSANZ has determined the applicant’s preparation is technologically justified for this purpose.Shiitake mushroom has a long history of safe consumption as a food. Based on FSANZ’s assessment, no public health and safety concerns were identified under the proposed use conditions.To have your say about this proposal, visit the FSANZ…

Published 12 December 2024