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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 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 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 2′-FL.  The 2′-FL is chemically and structurally identical to the naturally occurring substance present in human milk and other 2′-FL…

Published 26 November 2024

Monitoring the safety of our food supply

Monitoring the safety of our food supply FSANZ and other Australian and New Zealand government agencies continuously monitor the food supply to ensure it is safe, and that foods comply with standards for microbiological contaminants, pesticide residue limits and chemical contamination. FSANZ also monitors nutrients in the Australian food supply, compiling the results in databases available to the public. Completed ISFR food surveys…

Published 23 March 2021

Regulatory Science Network

Regulatory Science Network   (August 2015)   FSANZ is a member of the Australian Government Regulatory Science Network (RSN). Established in 2011, the RSN is a network of Australian government agencies responsible for regulating chemicals (including radio-isotopes), biological agents, foods and/or therapeutic goods. The mission of the RSN is to strengthen regulatory science across government agencies by:

• Providing a forum where regulatory and technical issues can be discussed, thereby enhancing interagency cooperation;
• Promoting a consistent approach to evidence-based decision-making across regulatory agencies;
• Providing cross-agency training and profession development opportunities for agency scientific staff
• Enhancing cross-agency…

  Published 1 December 2015

Sulphites

Sulphites (February 2019) Sulphites are naturally occurring minerals that have a long history of use in foods. They naturally occur in some foods but are widely used as a food additive to prevent microbial spoilage and preserve colour. Cordials, dried fruit, sausages and wine are some of the foods that commonly contain sulphites. International scientific committees and FSANZ have thoroughly investigated the safety of sulphites and concluded that for most people sulphites are safe. However some sulphite-sensitive people, many of whom also have asthma, may react to sulphites with allergy-like symptoms. Following surveys of levels of sulphites in foods in Australia and New Zealand, FSANZ evaluated whether there were any issues with those levels and exposure. We concluded that there was a…

Published 15 February 2019

Combined survey and risk assessment for cyanogenic glycosides

Combined survey and risk assessment for cyanogenic glycosides (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.…

Published 17 April 2014

Pesticides

Pesticides If you grow or process produce, make sure you use pesticides correctly during growing, harvesting, packing and storage. What are pesticides? Pesticides are agricultural chemicals used to treat pests and diseases during production, growing and storing your produce. These include insecticides, fungicides and herbicides (weed control) you may use during growing of produce; and also insecticides, fungicides or fumigants that may be used during or after packing produce. What is an MRL? MRL stands for maximum residue limit. An MRL is the highest amount of an agricultural or veterinary (agvet) chemical residue that is legally allowed in a food product sold in Australia. MRLs help regulatory agencies check whether a chemical has been used correctly to control pests and diseases…

Published 20 October 2023

Call for comment on plant sterols in plant-based milk alternatives

Call for comment on plant sterols in plant-based milk alternatives Date: 1/07/2022  Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow phytosterols, phytostanols or their esters (plant sterols) to be added as a novel food to plant-based milk alternatives. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said FSANZ's safety assessment found no health and safety concerns for consumers in Australia and New Zealand.  “Plant sterols have a long history of safe use and have been permitted to be added to certain foods for more than 20 years,” Dr Cuthbert said.   For more information and to access assessment documents, visit the FSANZ call for comment page. Submissions close 6pm (Canberra time) on 12 August 2022. What happens to my feedback?  We will publish all submissions to…

Published 4 July 2022

Inorganic arsenic and iodine in seaweed

Inorganic arsenic and iodine in seaweed Arsenic In 2013 FSANZ released a survey on the levels of inorganic arsenic in a range of seaweed types and products containing seaweed, available in Australia. The levels in most seaweed tested were below the regulatory limit for inorganic arsenic, with the exception of one hijiki seaweed sample. Because this sample was made up of two individual samples of the same brand of hijiki it may not be representative of all hijiki seaweed available for sale in…

Published 25 July 2019

Survey of Metals in Apple Juice and Other Apple Products

Survey of Metals in Apple Juice and Other Apple Products In 2023, FSANZ managed a survey measuring levels of various metal contaminants in apple juice and other apple products. The samples were collected in all Australian states and territories in 2021 and 2022 as part of a previous national Patulin survey.   What was tested?  Most of the sampled products were apple juice, including not from concentrate, reconstituted and freshly squeezed varieties. Several solid apple products including infant foods, apple puree, apple sauce, canned apple, and dried apple were also included in the survey.   All samples were analysed for metal contaminants including total arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. Samples with detectable…

Published 4 March 2025

Microbiological survey of fresh horticultural produce in Australia

Microbiological survey of fresh horticultural produce in Australia Outbreaks of human foodborne illness have previously been reported in Australia and overseas and have been linked to consumption of contaminated fresh horticultural produce. Pathogenic bacteria can survive for extended periods on fresh produce and some products support bacterial growth [1]. As fresh produce is generally not cooked prior to consumption, contaminated produce presents a potential food safety risk to consumers. In 2005 - 2007, a survey was conducted under the ISFR Coordinated Food Survey Plan to determine the prevalence of microbiological contamination in fresh horticultural produce in Australia. Participating jurisdictions included ACT, NSW, NT, Queensland, SA and Tasmania. A total of 369…

Published 28 February 2014