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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 1 October 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

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. K​ey 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

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

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. Title Corporate resources 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. …

Allergen labelling for food businesses

Allergen labelling for food businesses A food allergy occurs when a person's immune system reacts to certain food and ingredients and can cause allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. Other immune reactions can also occur in response to food, such as in Coeliac disease. Substances such as sulphites can also cause adverse health reactions for some people with asthma. This is why the Food Standards Code requires certain food and substances to be declared when they are present in a food as ingredients including food additives or processing aids.  Download our allergen labelling poster…

Published 30 September 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

Meat pies

Meat pies 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 bush meat), plus any attached…

Published 3 November 2023

Infant formula products

Infant formula products Infant formula products are breast milk substitutes that are formulated to provide infants with optimal nutrition for growth and development.   Although breastfeeding is the recommended way to feed infants, a safe and nutritious substitute for breast milk is needed for infants who are not breastfed. Infant formula products are the only safe and suitable alternative to breast milk. Infant formula products include infant formula (for use from birth), follow-on formula (for use from 6 – 12 months) and special medical purpose products for infants (for use under medical supervision). Use Infant formula is formulated for healthy infants for use as the sole source of nutrition from…

Published 4 September 2024

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