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Call for comment on an enzyme processing aid
Call for comment on an enzyme processing aid Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow an existing enzyme processing aid to be produced from a new source in the Food Standards Code. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the applicant is seeking approval to produce the enzyme - beta-amylase, from soybeans. “If approved, the processing aid will be used in the production of maltose syrup (a type of sweetener that is added to food). “After undertaking a risk assessment, we found no safety concerns from using this new source of beta-amylase which has a long history of safe use. “As this processing aid will be used at low levels, we found it is either not present in the final food or present in insignificant quantities,” Mr Booth said. To have your say, see our…
Published 27 October 2020
Results of latest Australian Total Diet Study released
Results of latest Australian Total Diet Study released Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today released the results from its 26th Australian Total Diet Study (ATDS) which looked at levels of persistent organic pollutants including dioxins, dioxin-like compounds and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food. Chief Executive Officer Mark Booth said the results are good news for Australians, showing exposure to these chemicals through food is low and presents no safety concerns. “The 26th ATDS provides evidence to assure consumers they can continue to be confident that food sold in Australia is safe to eat. “We looked at 33 foods typical of the Australian diet, taking 600 samples across all Australian states and territories. “Our results show that while the selected chemicals are present in the environment, the levels are low and there…
Published 30 July 2021
Call for comment on shiitake mushroom mycelia as a processing aid
Call for comment on shiitake mushroom mycelia as a processing aid Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to permit the use of a processing aid for protein processing.The application is seeking approval of a fermented preparation of shiitake mushroom mycelia, the root-like structure of the fungus.This preparation is intended to function as a processing aid for the fermentation of pea and rice protein. FSANZ has determined the applicant’s preparation is technologically justified for this purpose.Shiitake mushroom has a long history of safe consumption as a food. Based on FSANZ’s assessment, no public health and safety concerns were identified under the proposed use conditions.To have your say about this proposal, visit the FSANZ…
Published 12 December 2024
Findings released from national survey of AMR
Findings released from national survey of AMR Australia’s largest survey of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in raw retail meat has found bacteria in raw beef, pork and chicken continue to show low levels of resistance to antibiotics that are critical for treating people. More than 4,000 meat samples were collected from retailers in every state and territory, providing a national snapshot of resistance patterns in bacteria. Around two thirds of bacterial isolates showed no resistance to any of the antibiotics tested. Multidrug resistance was uncommon and, where detected, was largely linked to antibiotics considered of low importance to human medicine. Resistance to antibiotics highly important for human health remained low overall. Overall, the findings confirm that when Australian meat is produced…
Published 4 March 2026
Proposal P265 IAR Exec summary
Proposal P265 IAR Exec summary 18 December 2002 ISSUES PAPER (Initial Assessment - Prepare a Proposal Under s.12AA of the FSANZ Act 1991) Full Report [ Pdf 340kb ] EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Food Standards Australia New Zealand's (FSANZ) role is to protect the health and safety of people in Australia and New Zealand through the maintenance of a safe food supply. Under the new food regulatory arrangements and the newFood Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991,FSANZ has assumed responsibility for the development of Primary Production and Processing Standards for food produced by the primary industry sector within Australia. These standards are developed within the framework of theFood…
Published 23 March 2013
Use-by and best-before dates
Use-by and best-before dates Date marks give a guide to how long food can be kept before it begins to deteriorate or may become unsafe to eat. The two types of date marking are use-by dates and best-before dates. The food supplier is responsible for placing a use-by or best-before date on food. Foods that must be eaten before a certain time for health or safety reasons should be marked with a use-by date. Foods should not be eaten after the use-by date and can't legally be sold after this date because they may pose a health or safety risk. Most foods have a best-before date. You can still eat foods for a while after the best-before date as they should be safe but they may have lost some quality. Foods that have a best-before date can legally be sold after that date provided the food is fit for human consumption…
Published 29 April 2022
Call for comment on rapeseed (canola) protein isolate
Call for comment on rapeseed (canola) protein isolate Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow a new type of protein sourced from rapeseed (Canola) in the Food Standards Code. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the rapeseed protein isolate is a new ingredient that hasn't been used in Australia or New Zealand previously but is currently used in the EU and USA. “Protein can be sourced from animals (like whey) or other plants (soy or pea) and added to food as a protein source. “This new protein may be used as a replacement for existing protein sources and may be, if approved, added to bakery products, beverages, dairy, plant-based meat products and protein products. “Our safety assessment looked at the technological, microbiological, nutritional, toxicology and dietary exposure aspects of the…
Published 31 July 2020
Second call for comment on Plain English Allergen Labelling
Second call for comment on Plain English Allergen Labelling Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today released a second call for comment on a proposal to make allergen information clearer, more consistent and prominent on food labels. FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Mark Booth said the Plain English Allergen Labelling Proposal (PEAL) reflects a significant amount of work undertaken by FSANZ, including a first round of public consultation in 2018. “Our first call for comment showed broad support for changes to make sure that allergen labelling is clear and in plain English and consumers have the information they need to make informed and safe food choices. “Based on this feedback, our second consultation paper includes draft amendments to the Food Standards Code. “Currently the Food Standards Code…
Published 23 March 2021
Second call for comment - Plain English Allergen Labelling
Second call for comment - Plain English Allergen Labelling Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today released a second call for comment on a proposal to make allergen information clearer, more consistent and prominent on food labels. FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Mark Booth said the Plain English Allergen Labelling Proposal (PEAL) reflects a significant amount of work undertaken by FSANZ, including a first round of public consultation in 2018. “Our first call for comment showed broad support for changes to make sure that allergen labelling is clear and in plain English and consumers have the information they need to make informed and safe food choices. “Based on this feedback, our second consultation paper includes draft amendments to the Food Standards Code. “Currently the Food Standards Code requires 11…
Published 23 March 2021
Ethylene oxide
Ethylene oxide What is ethylene oxide? Ethylene oxide is a man-made chemical that exists as a gas above 10°C. It does not persist for long in the environment due to its instability. What is ethylene oxide used for? The primary use of ethylene oxide is as an intermediate ingredient in the further manufacture of industrial products (e.g. polyester). Ethylene oxide also has applications as a sterilising agent in healthcare and as a fumigant pesticide in agriculture. Historically, ethylene oxide was used as a fumigant pesticide to treat foodstuffs sold in Australia. Because of its volatility, ethylene oxide residue in food post-treatment can fully dissipate with time. However, the use of ethylene oxide on foods is being phased out worldwide, due to health concerns associated with residues…
Published 20 July 2021