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Advisory Committee Novel Foods
Advisory Committee Novel Foods Terms of Reference
- Consider enquiries in relation to potential novel foods (in conjunction with the required data), including previously considered enquiries in relation to potential novel foods where new data has been submitted.
- Make recommendations to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) General Manager - Food Standards (Wellington) in response to enquiries in relation to potential novel foods. The recommendations should contain the following advice:(a) Whether the food that is the subject of the enquiry should be considered a 'non-traditional food' in accordance with the definition in Standard 1.5.1.(b) Whether an assessment of public health and safety considerations should be required for the food that is the subject of the enquiry to…
Published 24 November 2017
Call for comment on food derived from a GM corn line
Call for comment on food derived from a GM corn line Published 19 March 2024 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for submissions on an application to permit the sale and use of food derived from a genetically modified (GM) corn line. Corn line MON94804 has been genetically modified to reduce the plant’s overall height. This potentially provides higher yields, due to improved access for farming equipment and reduced risk of crop losses from high winds and adverse weather. “If approved, food from this type of GM corn could be imported into Australia and New Zealand via products including starch, grits, meal, flour, oil and sweetener," FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said. “Our safety assessment focused on human food safety and nutritional issues and found food derived from MON94804 is considered to be as safe for human…
Published 19 March 2024
Bacteria, viruses and toxins that cause foodborne illness
Bacteria, viruses and toxins that cause foodborne illness FSANZ tools and resources Products that are exempt from allergen labelling requirements Food businesses have three years to update their labels to meet the new requirements. You can expect to see changes fully introduced by February 2024. Food labels must clearly show any ingredients that may be allergens, to protect consumers from allergic reaction. On this page
Folic acid fortification
Folic acid fortification Australian and New Zealand millers are required to add folic acid (a form of the B vitamin folate) to wheat flour for bread-making purposes. Folate, which occurs naturally in foods like green leafy vegetables, is necessary for healthy growth and development. Folic acid is particularly important to the healthy development of babies in early pregnancy. A baby’s growth is the most rapid in the first weeks of life, often before a woman is aware she is pregnant. The neural tube closes and fuses very early in pregnancy. If it doesn’t close, the result is a neural tube defect (NTD) such as spina bifida. Folic acid taken at recommended levels for at least one month before and three months after conception can prevent most NTDs. FSANZ has prepared…
Published 12 May 2020
Evidence tool
Evidence tool Category one businesses only Food service, caterer and related retail businesses in Australia need to meet food safety requirements about substantiating food safety controls, which came in December 2023. What are the requirements? Standard 3.2.2.A - 12 requires a food business, when doing a specific ('prescribed') activity, to make a record that proves they have properly managed food safety risks.
- Records must be kept for at least 3 months.
- A record may not be needed if the business can show an authorised officer (food regulator) in some other way they have adequately managed the food safety risks.
- This evidence tool is designed to help a business…
Published 1 October 2025
Call for comment to permit the use of a genetically modified processing aid subtilisin
Call for comment to permit the use of a genetically modified processing aid subtilisin Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for public comment on an application to permit the use of a protein engineered variant of the enzyme subtilisin as a processing aid to hydrolyse proteins in foods. FSANZ CEO Sandra Cuthbert said the application seeks approval to permit the use of a protein engineered variant of the enzyme subtilisin from a genetically modified strain of Bacillus subtilis. This strain contains the subtilisin gene from Bacillus clausii as a processing aid for hydrolysing proteins in food. “A microbiological assessment concluded that the host organisms have a long history of safe use in food and is not pathogenic or toxigenic. A toxicological assessment combined with a dietary…
Published 31 January 2024
Response to Heinemann et al on the regulation of GM crops and foods developed using gene silencing
Response to Heinemann et al on the regulation of GM crops and foods developed using gene silencing (May 2013) Key points
- A recent scientific article (Heinemann et al, 2013) claims that small double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) generated in GM plants as a result of using gene silencing techniques can create biosafety risks that are not being adequately assessed by regulators such as Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). They suggest changes to the safety assessment process to address their concerns.
- FSANZ has carefully examined the arguments put forward in the article, and has thoroughly researched the scientific literature on gene silencing. The weight of scientific evidence published to date does…
Published 16 January 2014
Caffeine
Caffeine Caffeine occurs naturally in foods, such as coffee, tea and cocoa and has a long history of use as a mild stimulant. Products are also available with added caffeine, including cola-type soft drinks and formulated caffeinated beverages (energy drinks). Some caffeine products are not considered safe for consumption and have been banned in Australia and New Zealand. These products usually come in the form of powders and syrups and are typically marketed as sports supplements. Caffeine content of some food and drinks: Is there a safe limit for caffeine? There is no recognised health-based guidance value, such as an Acceptable Daily Intake, for caffeine. However, a FSANZ Expert Working Group analysed the available…
Published 1 November 2023
Call for comment on food made from a new type of GM soybean line
Call for comment on food made from a new type of GM soybean line Date: 30/10/2023 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the sale and use of food made from a new genetically modified (GM) soybean. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said soybean line MON94313 was genetically modified to provide it with herbicide tolerance. “If approved, food made from this type of GM soybean could be imported into Australia and New Zealand in the form of soybean oil, milk, flour, meal, protein isolates and other processed products," Dr Cuthbert said. “Our safety assessment considered the specific genetic modification process, the nutrient content compared to a non-GM food of its type, and any potential allergic or toxic effects in humans. “FSANZ found no potential public health and safety concerns with this GM soybean. It is as safe as non-GM…
Published 31 October 2023
Food safety requirements for melon growers and primary processors
Food safety requirements for melon growers and primary processors If you are a melon grower or primary processor, you may be subject to new food safety standards. Who needs to meet the requirements? The requirements will apply to all primary producers and primary processors of melons.
- A primary producer is a business that grows and/or harvests melons.
- A primary processor is a business that does any of the following: washing, sorting, trimming, sanitising, storing, combining and packing melons, and transporting melons between pack houses.
- an approved food safety management statement showing how risks…
Published 1 October 2025