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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

Herbicides in GM foods

Herbicides in GM foods (August 2019)  Farmers use herbicides to reduce weeds in their crops. Herbicides, together with herbicide tolerant crops, allow farmers to selectively destroy weeds without damaging the main crop. Genes for herbicide tolerance can be introduced into crops using either conventional plant breeding or gene technology. Conventionally bred herbicide-tolerant crops are grown in both Australia and New Zealand, and genetically modified (GM) herbicide-tolerant crops are also grown in Australia. No GM crops are currently grown commercially in New Zealand. Examples of conventional (non-GM) herbicide tolerant crops include triazine-tolerant and imidazolinone-tolerant canola and imidazolinone-tolerant wheat. Herbicide-tolerant GM cotton and canola, licensed for growing in Australia…

Published 16 March 2021

Controlling pests

Controlling pests If you're a food business, it's important that you keep food safe and protected from pests and the harmful microorganisms they can carry. What are the requirements? Under Standard 3.2.2 - Food Safety Practices and General Requirements, your business must do everything it reasonably can to prevent pest problems. This means:

• pests are stopped from entering or living in your food premises
• pests are eradicated from your premises and vehicles used to transport food.

• the types of pests and treatments to be used
• areas that need inspection and treatment (e.g. behind appliances and equipment, inside wall cavities and cupboards,…

  Published 22 May 2025

Cleaning and sanitising

Cleaning and sanitising In a food business, cleaning and sanitising are important ways to prevent harmful microorganisms or other things contaminating food and making it unsafe to eat. What are the requirements? Under Standard 3.2.2 - Food Safety Practices and General Requirements, food businesses need to keep their premises, fixtures, fittings, equipment and food transport vehicles clean and sanitary. This means:

• things like food scraps, garbage, dirt, grease etc should not be left to accumulate
• utensils and surfaces that come in contact with food should be clean and sanitary.

Published 22 May 2025

Palm oil

Palm oil What is palm oil? Palm oil is a vegetable fat obtained from the fruit of the African oil palm tree. Palm oil contains a high proportion of saturated fat. This is unusual as most vegetable fats do not contain high proportions of saturated fats; however there are exceptions such as palm oil and coconut oil. The Dietary Guidelines for Australians and the New Zealand Food and Nutrition Guidelines, recommend that we limit our intake of saturated fats. What are the current regulations for labelling palm oil? There have been calls for palm oil to be identified in the ingredient list due…

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

3-MCPD & glycidol in oil and infant formula

3-MCPD & glycidol in oil and infant formula (March 2020) Snap-shot survey of processing contaminants in oil and infant formula New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS), with input from FSANZ, did a snap-shot survey of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) & glycidol in vegetable oils and infant formula. These contaminants are formed during oil processing. Infant formula was selected as it is a special purpose food for infants that can contain vegetable oil as an ingredient, and which is closely monitored by FSANZ for safety. What did the NZFS survey test? In total, 100 oil and infant formula products were tested (44 oil products and 56 infant formula products). Half the products were sourced in Australia. What did the survey find? Levels of 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters were found to be generally consistent with, or lower…

Published 7 March 2020

Proposal P1053 - Food Safety Management tools

Proposal P1053 - Food Safety Management tools Food service and related retail sectors are vitally important to the Australian economy and our way of life. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has assessed a proposal to strengthen food safety and consistently deliver safer food to consumers, thereby supporting consumer confidence in these sectors. On 14 September 2022, the FSANZ Board approved a new food standard applying new regulatory measures to food service and retail businesses that handle potentially hazardous food. The new regulatory measures are: food handler training; food safety supervisor; and evidence to substantiate food safety management of key processes. On 23 November 2022, Food Ministers' Meeting (FMM) informed FSANZ that it does not intend to request a review.   The standard was gazetted on 8 December 2022 and…

Published 13 December 2022

A message from our CEO

A message from our CEO Happy New Year from all of us at Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)! As we move into 2025, I look forward to continuing to work alongside my FSANZ colleagues, our dedicated Board and you - our valued stakeholders. Through collaboration and commitment, I am confident we will embrace new opportunities and address emerging challenges to deliver on our vision of World-leading standards, safe food for life.  FSANZ is dedicated to making food safer, empowering consumers to make informed, healthier choices, and enabling industry to produce safe, nutritious food while thriving in both local and global markets. Our priorities in 2025 include finalising energy labelling and claims on alcoholic beverages, updating definitions for gene technology and new breeding techniques, and completing reviews on egg food safety and caffeine. We will also…

Published 6 February 2025

Big Shed Brewing Concern Pty Ltd - Mango Sour Beer 24 x 375ml

Big Shed Brewing Concern Pty Ltd - Mango Sour Beer 24 x 375ml Big Shed Brewing Concern Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of the above product. The product has been available for sale at Bars and independent bottleshops in NSW, ACT, QLD, SA and available online nationally. Date Marking: Best Before 07 09 2023 Problem:  The recall is due to secondary fermentation. Food Safety Hazard:  Food products containing excess alcohol and carbonation may cause illness/injury if consumed. What to do:  Consumers should not drink or open this product, and should dispose of it safely. Please contact Big Shed Brewing Concern Pty Ltd for safe disposal instructions and to arrange for reimbursement. For further information please contact: Big…

Published 19 May 2023