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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 illness if consumed. Severe…

Published 5 July 2023

Call for comment on a new source of 2′-FL in infant formula products

Call for comment on a new source of 2′-FL in infant formula products Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) produced from a new genetically modified (GM) source organism for use as a nutritive substance in infant formula products. 2ʹ-FL is a non-digestible carbohydrate that naturally occurs in human milk. The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) permits 2ʹ-FL to be used as an optional nutritive substance in infant formula products. Evidence shows it can support infant growth and development by helping to protect against harmful bacteria and promoting beneficial gut microorganisms similar to those of breastfed infants.   The Code already permits 2′-FL from several GM sources for use in infant formula products. This application seeks to extend…

Published 15 January 2026

P1056 - Caffeine Review

P1056 - Caffeine Review On 10 March 2026, the FSANZ Board approved Proposal P1056 to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to introduce new requirements for the retail sale of caffeine and guarana extract as a food, and for adding caffeine to food for retail sale. Australian food ministers have 60 days to consider FSANZ's decision. If no review is requested, the changes will be gazetted and take effect. Food businesses will have 2 years from the date of gazettal to implement the changes. The changes respond to public health and safety concerns about excessive caffeine intake, particularly among vulnerable populations. They are intended to limit the…

Published 1 July 2023

Raw fish dishes

Raw fish dishes Fish is an important part of a nutritious diet. However, eating raw fish can have food safety risks and precautions need to be taken when preparing dishes such as sushi, sashimi, ceviche, gravlax and cold smoked salmon.  Top tips for safe raw fish dishes: Buy the best  Selecting fish that has been commercially prepared and marketed to eat raw is safest.

• Only buy raw fish labelled as sashimi grade from a reputable supplier.
• Do not use fish labelled with cooking instructions for raw fish dishes.
• If you’re not sure, you should cook the fish rather than eating it raw. 

Published 29 July 2025

Product exemptions from allergen labelling

Product exemptions from allergen labelling The Food Standards Code has exemptions from mandatory allergen labelling requirements for some foods and ingredients derived from allergenic sources. The following foods and ingredients have been assessed by FSANZ as safe for food allergies, because they are processed in a way that makes them suitable for consumers who are allergic to wheat, soy or dairy:

• glucose syrups made from wheat starch (exempt from declaring wheat)*
• fully refined soybean oil (exempt from declaring soy)
• the soy derivatives tocopherols and phytosterols (exempt from declaring soy)
• distilled alcohol from wheat or whey (exempt from declaring wheat or milk).

Published 7 February 2022

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

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 23 February 2024 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 to be used in infant formula products. 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) is a non-digestible carbohydrate found naturally in human milk. It is 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 occurring substance…

Published 24 February 2024

Nanoparticles and infant formula

Nanoparticles and infant formula Nanoscale materials are not new. Food is naturally composed of nanoscale sugars, amino acids, peptides and proteins, many of which form organised, functional nanostructures. For example, proteins are in the nanoscale size range and milk contains an emulsion of nanoscale fat droplets. Humans, including infants, have consumed these particles in foods throughout history without evidence of adverse health effects related to the materials nanoscale size. January 2018 The issue In recent years there have been several media reports about the presence of nanoparticles in infant formula. Most of these reports have focused on…

Published 3 August 2018

FSANZ 2023-2024 Annual Report released

FSANZ 2023-2024 Annual Report released Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released its 2023-24 Annual Report, highlighting the agency's key achievements in maintaining the safety of the food supply across both countries.  FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert emphasised the year’s strong performance in standards setting.  “We delivered a 56% increase in productivity, completing 25 applications and 3 proposals that resulted in amendments to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, supporting food safety, public health and industry innovation,” Dr Cuthbert said. “This included several historic milestones, such as the world-first approval of a genetically modified banana and the…

Published 20 November 2024