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Response to Pinget et al 2019 study on nanoparticles in food

Response to Pinget et al 2019 study on nanoparticles in food In May 2019 a study was released linking titanium dioxide particles with inflammatory bowel diseases and bowel cancer. FSANZ has reviewed the study and determined it does not change our previous assessment of titanum dioxide. The study's limitations mean that no conclusion can be drawn from it about titanium dioxide and inflammatory bowel diseases and bowel cancer. The reasons for our conclusion are set out below. TiO2 has been tested in long-term carcinogenicity studies in rats and mice, in which TiO2 was fed in the diet at concentrations sufficient to cause white faeces. These studies found no evidence of inflammatory changes or induction of tumours. The International Agency for Research on…

Published 19 June 2019

Call for comment on food made from a new type of GM corn line

Call for comment on food made from a new type of GM corn line 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) corn. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said corn line DAS1131 was genetically modified to provide it with herbicide tolerance and protection from insect pests. “If approved, food made from this type of GM corn could be imported into Australia and New Zealand in the form of starch, grits, meal, flour, oil and sweetener," Dr Cuthbert said. She said safety assessments are a key part of the approval process for all GM foods. “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,” Dr Cuthbert said. “FSANZ…

Published 16 December 2023

Stakeholder engagement

Stakeholder engagement FSANZ proudly works in partnership with government, industry, public health and community stakeholders to keep the food supply safe.  What we engage on FSANZ engages with the public and stakeholders to inform and support its work in areas including:

• applications and proposals to change the Food Standards Code
• public health and food policy
• monitoring activities such as surveys of pesticide residues or chemicals in food
• food recalls and incidents
• consumer and food safety research
• imported food matters
• international food safety matters
• emerging food safety issues.

Published 20 April 2018

Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn MON95379

Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn MON95379 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow the sale and use of food made from a genetically modified (GM) corn. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said corn line MON95379 was genetically modified to protect it from insect pests. “If approved, food made from this type of GM corn could be imported into Australia and New Zealand in the form of starch, grits, meal, flour, oil and sweetener,' Dr Cuthbert said. “Our safety assessment found no potential public health and safety concerns with this variety of GM corn. It is as safe as non-GM corn varieties.' A safety assessment is a critical part of the approval process for all GM applications. The safety assessment considers the specific genetic modification process,…

Published 16 September 2021

Dioxins

Dioxins (February 2012) What are dioxins? Dioxins are chemicals produced when household and industrial waste is burned and as by-products from some industrial chemical processes. They persist in the environment for a long time and can get into food but assessments show the amounts are tiny so the risk to our health is minimal. Dioxins also break down in our bodies and we excrete them. Where do dioxins come from? More than 96 per cent of dioxins in the environment come from air emissions. Dioxins then fall to the ground and occur in trace amounts on soil, plant and water surfaces. In Australia, the major sources of dioxin emissions in the air are bushfires and burning agricultural stubble. Plants do not generally absorb dioxins. However, dioxins can enter the food chain when animals eat plants on which…

Published 31 October 2016

Eumarrah Poppy Seeds

Eumarrah Poppy Seeds Product information Eumarrah Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of poppy seeds sold as: Eumarrah Poppy Seeds 250g (see image)Best Before dates 7.10.2023 & 14.10.2023The 250g product has been available for sale at independent food retailers including IGA & direct from Eumarrah stores in TAS. 15kg brown or white bagBatch number PO 024316The 15kg brown or white bag has been available for sale since 2 September 2022 from Grain Grocer in Launceston & Wholesome House in Mowbray.  Various weights sold in bulk (scoop and buy) The poppy seeds have also been displayed unpackaged and available for sale since 2…

Published 21 November 2022

UPDATE: Basfords International Pty Ltd - Royal Fields Poppy Seeds 250g, 500g and 5kg

UPDATE: Basfords International Pty Ltd - Royal Fields Poppy Seeds 250g, 500g and 5kg   Date Updated: 05 July 2023 Product information Basfoods International Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of Royal Fields Poppy Seeds 250g, 500g and 5kg. The products have been available for sale at Coles and independent food retailers in VIC. The 500g product was also available for sale at Coles in NSW, QLD and SA (see updated recall notice below). Date markings Best Before 25/6/2024 Problem  The recall is due to the potential presence of a chemical (thebaine) due to unsafe poppy seeds entering the food supply.  Food safety hazard Food products containing thebaine may cause…

Published 5 July 2023

P93 Infant Formula SOR

P93 Infant Formula SOR Supplementary Final Assessment - (Inquiry - s .24) Supplementary Report [ PDF format 117 kb ] PROPOSAL P93 - FOR RECOMMENDING A STANDARD FOR INFANT FORMULA PRODUCTS The Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) has before it Proposal P93 to develop a draft standard for infant formula products for inclusion in Volume 2 of the Food Standards Code and a draft variation to Standard A11 in Volume 1 and Standard 1.3.4 in Volume 2 of the Food Standards Code. STATEMENT OF REASONS ANZFA recommends the adoption of the draft Standard and draft variations, as amended, for the following reasons:

1. to protect the health and safety of formula-fed infants, who are the most…

   Published 23 March 2013

Call for comment on a processing aid from a genetically modified source

Call for comment on a processing aid from a genetically modified source 06 March 2024 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to vary the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to allow a new processing aid from a genetically modified (GM) source. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the application seeks approval to permit the use of Triacylglycerol lipase as a processing aid in the manufacture of bakery products and other cereal-based products. “FSANZ found no potential public health and safety concerns with the use of this Triacylglycerol lipase from a GM strain of Trichoderma reesei containing a gene from Thermomyces lanuginosus,” Dr Cuthbert said. “A microbiological assessment concluded that the host organism has a long history of safe use in food and is not…

Published 7 March 2024

Call for comment on new source of human identical milk oligosaccharide in infant formula products 

Call for comment on new source of human identical milk oligosaccharide in infant formula products  Date: 10/10/2023 ​Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit a new genetically modified source organism for the production of a human identical milk oligosaccharide used in infant formula products. 2′-fucosyllactose (2ʹ-FL) is a non-digestible carbohydrate, or oligosaccharide, found naturally in human milk. It can be used as a nutritive substance in infant formula products at levels consistent with those found in human milk.  FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said FSANZ's safety assessment concluded there were no public health and safety concerns associated with the application. “The applicant's 2′-FL is chemically and structurally identical to the naturally…

Published 11 October 2023