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Nitrates and nitrites

Nitrates and nitrites Nitrates and nitrites occur naturally in plant foods as part of the nitrogen cycle between air, land and water environments. Most of our dietary exposure to nitrates and nitrites is through fruit and vegetables. Eating fruit and vegetables is widely recommended due to the strong evidence of beneficial health effects against a range of diseases. Nitrates and nitrites have also been used as food additives in cured meats and some cheeses for many years, primarily to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Adding nitrites or nitrates improves the microbiological safety of these foods and extends their safe shelf life. In the past, some concerns have been raised about possible health risks associated with nitrates and nitrites in foods. To estimate Australians' dietary exposure…

Published 10 May 2018

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 an urgent proposal to prohibit the retail sale of pure and highly concentrated caffeine products

Call for comment on an urgent proposal to prohibit the retail sale of pure and highly concentrated caffeine products Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for public comment on an urgent Proposal to prohibit the retail sale of pure and highly concentrated caffeine food products in Australia and New Zealand. The proposal follows a review conducted by FSANZ in August 2019 which found the availability of pure caffeine for retail sale poses an unacceptably high risk to consumers, and should be prohibited. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the urgent proposal reflects a significant amount of work, including a thorough risk assessment carried out by FSANZ over the past few months. “Our risk assessment confirmed pure or highly purified forms of caffeine pose an unacceptably…

Published 23 March 2021

Plant sterols

Plant sterols Plant sterols (phytosterols, phytostanols and their fatty acid esters) are cholesterol-like substances that occur naturally at low levels in fruits, vegetables, nuts and cereals. When eaten at the recommended amount, between 2 and 3 grams a day, plant sterols can reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in our blood. Most people obtain between 150 and 360 milligrams of plant sterols daily, depending on diet. Eating more than 3 grams per day does not reduce your LDL cholesterol any further. Use in food The Food Standards Code (Schedule 25 - Permitted Novel Foods) permits the use of plant sterols in margarine, low fat milks, low fat yoghurts and breakfast cereals, lower fat cheese and processed cheese. Advice for…

Published 24 June 2016

Call for comment - new source for an enzyme processing aid

Call for comment - new source for 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 microbial source. FSANZ interim CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the enzyme beta-fructofuranosidase has a long history of safe use and is already approved to be sourced from other microorganisms. “The applicant is seeking approval to produce the enzyme from a strain of bacterium known as Aspergillus fijiensis,' Dr Cuthbert said.  “FSANZ's safety assessment found no health and safety concerns for Australian and New Zealand consumers.'  If approved, the enzyme would be used as a processing aid to perform any technological purpose in the manufacture of any food, in accordance with the Australia New…

Published 4 November 2021

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

Call for comment on a new source for an enzyme processing aid

Call for comment on a new source for 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 genetically-modified (GM) microbial source. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the enzyme glucoamylase has a long history of safe use and is already approved to be sourced from other microorganisms. “The applicant is seeking approval to produce the enzyme from a strain of fungus known as Aspergillus niger,' Dr Cuthbert said.  “FSANZ's safety assessment found no health and safety concerns for Australian and New Zealand consumers.' If approved, the enzyme could be used as a processing aid in starch processing and potable alcohol production, in accordance with the Australia New…

Published 27 May 2022

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

Call for comment on new source of human-identical milk oligosaccharide in infant formula Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit a new genetically modified source organism to produce a human-identical milk oligosaccharide used in infant formula products.   2ʹ-fucosyllactose (2ʹ-FL) is a non-digestible carbohydrate that naturally occurs in human milk. It is used as a nutritive substance in infant formula products at levels consistent with those found in human milk.   FSANZ’s safety assessment concluded there were no public health and safety concerns associated with the applicant’s 2ʹ-FL. The 2ʹ-FL is chemically, structurally and functionally the same as the naturally occurring substance found in human milk and other 2ʹ-FL already assessed and permitted by…

Published 21 October 2025

Cereulide toxin in infant formula products

Cereulide toxin in infant formula products Two companies have recalled infant formula products nationally due to the potential presence of the toxin cereulide, a substance produced by the Bacillus cereus microorganism. The recalls were conducted by:

• Nestle for 5 batches of Alfamino formula  
• Sanulac Nutritionals Australia Pty Ltd for 2 batches of Alula formula.

Published 23 January 2026

Survey of iodine levels in seaweed and seaweed containing products

Survey of iodine levels in seaweed and seaweed containing products Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) conducted a survey of iodine levels in seaweed and products containing seaweed, in consultation with the Australian states and territories. The 'Survey of iodine levels in seaweed and seaweed containing products' shows most seaweed and seaweed products have safe levels of iodine, but there are some products with very high iodine levels that may be unsafe for human consumption. The survey was prompted by an increased number of reported human thyroid dysfunction cases linked to high iodine intake. The high intake was considered to be associated with consumption of a soy beverage, Bonsoy. The high iodine levels in the beverage were attributed to the addition of seaweed (kombu…

Published 28 February 2014