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Call for comment on use of a nutritive substance in infant formula

Call for comment on use of a nutritive substance in infant formula Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the use of a nutritive substance in infant formula products. Bovine milk fat globule membrane-enriched whey protein concentrate (MFGM-WPC) contains lipids and proteins found in both human and cow milk, which support healthy infant development. The application proposes using MFGM-WPC as a source of phospholipids in formulas and FSANZ has found it sufficiently similar to human milk for this purpose. MFGM-WPC offers potential health benefits, such as anti-pathogenic effects, immune support and gut microbiome development. FSANZ’s safety assessment concluded MFGM-WPC poses no safety risk to infants. While breastfeeding is recommended, a safe and nutritious substitute for breast milk is…

Published 12 December 2024

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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. …

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. What are the requirements? The requirements of Standard 4.2.9 include: an approved food safety management statement showing how risks are managed traceability: being able to track where melons have come…

Published 1 October 2025

Update on national recall of poppy seeds

Update on national recall of poppy seeds Australian food authorities today announced preliminary findings on the cause of contamination which led to a national recall of poppy seeds. While investigations are ongoing, it has been confirmed a batch of poppy seeds not intended for food use and containing high levels of thebaine entered the supply chain. Thebaine is a natural chemical found in poppy seeds which can be toxic in high concentrations.   A total of 37 cases of illness were reported nationally among people who consumed large amounts of poppy seeds. The national recall of several brands was successful in removing affected products from the market. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) announced the…

Published 15 December 2022

Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn

Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow food from a new type of genetically modified corn line to be sold in Australia and New Zealand. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the corn line has been genetically modified to increase yield and be resistant to a herbicide (glufosinate). “When assessing any Applications to allow new foods or ingredients to be sold in Australia and New Zealand, the safety and health of consumers is at the centre of our decision making process. “FSANZ undertook a comprehensive safety assessment which looked at the intended and unintended changes to the food, including potential toxicity and allergenicity of any new proteins. “We found that corn derived from this GM line is as safe as traditional non-GM…

Published 6 August 2020

Food safety requirements for berry growers and primary processor​s

Food safety requirements for berry growers and primary processor​s If you are a berry 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 berries: A primary producer is a business that grows and/or harvests berries. A primary processor is a business that does any of the following: washing, trimming, sanitising, sorting, storing, combining and packing berries, and transporting berries between pack houses. What are the requirements? The requirements of Standard 4.2.7 include: notifying authorities of the business’s name, contact details and activities with berries traceability: being…

Published 1 October 2025

Call for comment to permit the use of a new processing aid

Call for comment to permit the use of a new processing aid Date: 10/10/2023 ​Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the use of the enzyme transglut​aminase (EC 2.3.2.13) as a processing aid. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the enzyme would be used in brewing and the manufacturing and/or processing of food products. “If approved, the enzyme may be used as a processing aid in brewing and in the production of bakery and other cereal-based products such as pasta and noodles, cheese, fermented dairy products, dairy analogues, egg substitutes, meat products, fish products, meat analogues and fish analogues," Dr Cuthbert said. The enzyme is sourced from genetically modified Bacillus licheniformis containing the transglutaminase gene from Streptomyces mobaraensis. “B. licheniformis has a long history…

Published 11 October 2023

Report on survey of cyanogenic glycosides in plant-based foods

Report on survey of cyanogenic glycosides in plant-based foods (17 April 2014) Cyanogenic glycosides, found in a range of plant-based foods, can pose potential risks to consumers. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (NZ MPI) coordinated a survey of foods containing cyanogenic glycosides between 2010-13 in consultation with Australian states and territories. Key findings Almost 300 samples of plant-based foods were collected and analysed. The survey identified that cyanogenic glycosides (measured as hydrocyanic acid or HCN) are present in a wide range of Australian and New Zealand plant-based foods at levels consistent with or lower than those reported in the scientific literature. Raw apricot kernels with skin…

Published 18 April 2014

Call for comment on new sources for enzyme processing aids

Call for comment on new sources for enzyme processing aids Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on three applications to allow new enzyme processing aids from genetically-modified (GM) microbial sources.   FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the applications seek approval to permit the use of three different enzymes; endo-1,4-beta-xylanase enzyme (gene donor Talaromyces leycettanus), alpha-arabinofuranosidase enzyme (gene donor Talaromyces pinophilus) both sourced from GM Trichoderma reesei and the carboxypeptidase enzyme sourced from Aspergillus oryzae.  “Trichoderma reesei and Aspergillus oryzae have a long history of safe use as a source of enzyme processing aids, including several that are already permitted in the Food Standards Australia New Zealand code,' Dr Cuthbert said.…

Published 8 February 2023

Call for comment on a new enzyme processing aid from a GM source 

Call for comment on a new enzyme processing aid from a GM source  Date: 10/10/2023 ​​Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow a new enzyme processing aid from a genetically-modified (GM) microbial source. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said if permitted, the enzyme beta-fructofuranosidase would be used as a processing aid in the production of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) and to reduce sugar (sucrose) levels in treated fruit and vegetable products. “The enzyme is sourced from a genetically modified (GM) strain of Trichoderma reesei containing the beta-fructofuranosidase gene from Aspergillus niger," Dr Cuthbert said. “T. reesei has a long history of safe use as a production microorganism of enzyme processing aids, including several that are already permitted in the Australia…

Published 11 October 2023