Search
Search results 111-120 of 2407
Sausage sizzles and barbecues
Sausage sizzles and barbecues Sausage sizzles and barbecues are a popular way to raise money for charities and community organisations. They are often held outdoors to take advantage of Australia's good weather and open spaces. Provided you take some simple food safety precautions and sell freshly cooked food straight from the barbecue, the food should be safe. Preparing and cooking food safely Take the following precautions at sausage sizzles and barbecues to ensure that food is safe.
- Finish preparing raw meat before leaving for the site such as slicing, marinating or skewering.
- Pack raw meat into insulated boxes with ice bricks for transportation.
- Handle food with tongs or other equipment. Use separate equipment to handle raw and cooked meats. Hands should not be…
Published 19 February 2018
Call for comment on a new type of food additive
Call for comment on a new type of food additive Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an Application to allow a new type of additive under the Food Standards Code. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the additive is sourced from a particular type of mushroom called 'sweet osmanthus ear', if approved, it would be used to preserve non-alcoholic drinks. “Extracts from the mushroom (known as jelly mushroom glycolipids) are used to protect food from common yeasts, moulds and bacteria that may grow over time. “We carried out a safety assessment and found it is safe for use based on the proposed maximum permitted levels the Application calls for. “To help people make informed choices about their food, mandatory labelling requirements apply and this food additive will need to be declared on the ingredients list,” Mr Booth said. To…
Published 6 August 2020
Meat pies
Meat pies (Last updated January 2017) Australians each eat an average of 12 meat pies a year, that’s 270 million pies, while in New Zealand they are even more popular, with the average Kiwi eating 15 meat pies, which is 66 million a year. So it’s no wonder that at Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) many visitors to our website are seeking information about meat pies. Much of the interest in meat pies is about how much meat is in a pie and what kind of meat is used. The Food Standards Code stipulates that a meat pie must contain a minimum of 25 per cent of meat flesh. According to the Code, meat flesh means:
‘The skeletal muscle of the carcass of any buffalo, camel, cattle, deer, goat, hare, pig, poultry, rabbit or sheep, slaughtered other than in a wild state (i.e. not…Published 3 November 2023
East West Foods Poppy Seeds
East West Foods Poppy Seeds Product information East West Foods Wholesale Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of Poppy Seeds 1kg. The product has been available for sale at Whole + Some Shop in Adelaide SA & Indian Spice Bazaar in Woodville Gardens SA. Date markings Best Before 22/07/24 Problem The recall is due to the potential presence of a chemical (thebaine) due to unsafe poppy seeds entering the food supply. Food safety hazard Food products containing thebaine may cause illness if consumed. Severe poisoning soon after ingestion has occurred in some people who have consumed large amounts of poppy seeds. Country of origin Australia What to do consumers should not eat these products and should return to the place of purchase for a full refund and safe disposal. Any consumers…
Published 15 November 2022
Patulin
Patulin Several Australian apple juice products were recalled in 2020 as they were found to have high levels of patulin. In response, FSANZ worked with Australian government and relevant state and territory health authorities to conduct a survey of patulin in apple juice and other apple products. The survey aimed to find out if the level of patulin in these foods posed a risk to Australian consumers. Key points
- FSANZ coordinated a survey of patulin in apple juice and other apple products.
- The concentration of patulin in most products was low and the amount consumed by Australians was shown to be safe.
- FSANZ will work with industry and regulators to make sure patulin in apple juice and other apple products is kept as low as reasonably achievable.
Published 5 December 2023
Animals
Animals If you're a food business, assistance animals must be allowed in areas open to customers. It's up to you to decide if you let pet dogs in outdoor dining areas and under what circumstances. What are the requirements? Under Standard 3.2.2 - Food Safety Practices and General Requirements, only certain animals are allowed in food premises:
- assistance animals must be allowed in customer accessed areas
- pet dogs may be allowed in outdoor dining areas
- live animals (except for seafood, other fish and shellfish) are not permitted in areas where food is handled.
Published 22 May 2025
Fluoride in bottled water
Fluoride in bottled water (June 2016) The Food Standards Code allows between 0.6 and 1.0 milligrams of fluoride (including naturally occurring and added fluoride) per litre of bottled water. This is the same level recommended for drinking water to provide benefits for dental health. A FSANZ risk assessment (Application A588 - Final Assessment Report) found there is a history of safe use of fluoride in tap water at this level. Fluoridated bottled water (at the approved levels) is nutritionally equivalent to fluoridated tap water. Not all bottled water contains fluoride. However, all bottled water with fluoride added must be clearly labelled. Bottled water with added fluoride is safe for everyone and plain bottled water (but not…
Published 22 June 2016
About us
About us Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is an independent statutory agency established by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (FSANZ Act). FSANZ is part of the Australian Government's Health portfolio. Card Who we are We're at the centre of the world class bi-national food regulation system that protects the ‘safe food’ brand for Australia and New Zealand. What we do Our vital work means people in…
Limits for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods
Limits for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods There are mandatory limits for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. These limits are set out in Standard 1.6.1 and Schedule 27 of the Code. The limits apply based on whether growth of L. monocytogenes will or will not occur in the RTE food:
- for RTE foods in which growth of L. monocytogenes will not occur, the limit is less than 100cfu/g.
- for RTE foods in which growth of L. monocytogenes will occur, L. monocytogenes must be undetectable in 25g. …
Published 31 July 2014
Baby spinach recall concluded
Baby spinach recall concluded Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) can confirm that all affected products, linked to the Riviera Farms baby spinach, have been identified and recalled. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the national food regulation system worked collaboratively to identify the source of the affected baby spinach, and products it was subsequently incorporated into. All affected products have now been recalled.It has been confirmed the recalled spinach products were sourced from one producer with the spinach all located in one field. The producer has been proactive and cooperative in addressing the issue.Dr Cuthbert said Australia has a world leading food regulation system and farmers and food regulators across the country work tirelessly to ensure Australian's have access to safe and nutritious food. Incidents like these occur infrequently, and…
Published 22 December 2022