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New survey reveals consumer attitudes to food safety in Australia and New Zealand
New survey reveals consumer attitudes to food safety in Australia and New Zealand Published 29 May 2024 A new survey has found consumers rate nutrition above other food values such as naturalness, convenience and country of origin, with almost three-quarters of Australian and New Zealand consumers putting effort into maintaining a healthy diet. The first Consumer Insights Tracker (CIT) survey run by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has revealed consumers look for food labels that can help them identify nutritious foods and make good dietary choices. FSANZ surveyed more than 2000 Australian and New Zealand consumers to understand their trust in, and understanding of, the shared food regulation system covering both countries. Results from the 2023 CIT have just been released, with key findings…
Published 30 May 2024
CEO year in review
CEO year in review As 2025 draws to a close, I reflect with pride on the progress we have made with our food regulation system partners and stakeholders to keep food safe and trusted in a rapidly evolving food system environment. This year, following rigorous scientific assessment and extensive stakeholder consultation, we delivered a range of important food regulatory outcomes for Australia and New Zealand. We strengthened national standards for egg production and processing to ensure eggs remain a safe and trusted staple in Australian households, updated the definitions for genetically…
Published 5 December 2025
Call for comment on a new type of food additive
Call for comment on a new type of food additive Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an Application to allow a new type of additive under the Food Standards Code. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the additive is sourced from a particular type of mushroom called 'sweet osmanthus ear', if approved, it would be used to preserve non-alcoholic drinks. “Extracts from the mushroom (known as jelly mushroom glycolipids) are used to protect food from common yeasts, moulds and bacteria that may grow over time. “We carried out a safety assessment and found it is safe for use based on the proposed maximum permitted levels the Application calls for. “To help people make informed choices about their food, mandatory labelling requirements apply and this food additive will need to be declared on the ingredients list,” Mr Booth said. To…
Published 6 August 2020
Receiving food
Receiving food If you're a food business, it's important to only accept delivery of food you are sure is safe and suitable. What are the requirements? Under Standard 3.2.2 - Food Safety Practices and General Requirements, food businesses must do everything they can to make sure they only receive food that is safe and suitable. This generally means the food is delivered: from a known supplier protected from contamination, and at a safe temperature. Reduce your risk make sure you can identify all food that is delivered and you know the supplier's name and address ask your suppliers to protect food from contamination (e.g. in food-safe packaging) make sure someone is on-site to inspect food as it is delivered check delivered food is…
Published 30 September 2025
Call for comment on the use of vitamin K2 in food for special medical purposes
Call for comment on the use of vitamin K2 in food for special medical purposes Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to include vitamin K2 as a permitted form of vitamin K in Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP). If approved, vitamin K2 (as menaquinone-7) would be added to the Code for use as a form of vitamin K in FSMP. FSANZ has considered the bioavailability, nutritional equivalence and safety of vitamin K2 for use in FSMP. Based on the available evidence, FSANZ considers vitamin K2 to be a safe and bioavailable form of vitamin K. The draft variation, if approved, would list vitamin K2 for use in FSMP in accordance with the Code. No further changes have been proposed to the existing compositional,…
Published 13 September 2024
Food packaging
Food packaging If you're a food business, it's important to know what types of packaging are safe to use with your food products. What are the requirements? Under Standard 3.2.2 - Food Safety Practices and General Requirements, food businesses must: only use packaging material that is fit for its intended purpose only use material that is not likely to cause food contamination ensure there is no likelihood that the food may become contaminated during the packaging process. What are the risks? Packaging can potentially make food unsafe or unsuitable, for example if: something contaminates food during the packaging process harmful microorganisms get into food from dirty or damaged packaging parts of the packaging break off into food (e.g.…
Published 30 September 2025
Displaying food
Displaying food If you're a food business that displays food, it's important to protect it from contamination and keep it at the right temperature so it stays safe to eat. What are the requirements? Under Standard 3.2.2 - Food Safety Practices and General Requirements, food businesses need to make sure they display food in a safe and suitable way. If you are a food service business handling unpackaged, ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food, you may need to substantiate your food safety controls for displaying food, under Standard 3.2.2A - Food Safety Management Tools. Reduce the risk make sure potentially hazardous food is displayed at a safe temperature use…
Published 30 September 2025
FSANZ calls for comment on changing the definitions for genetically modified food
FSANZ calls for comment on changing the definitions for genetically modified food Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is seeking public comment on its proposed approach to changing the definitions for 'food produced using gene technology' and 'gene technology'. These definitions determine what foods are classed as genetically modified (GM) foods under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). Currently, all GM foods permitted for sale in Australia and New Zealand must undergo a pre-market safety assessment by FSANZ and be listed in the Code. FSANZ interim CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said a 2019 review found the current definitions lack clarity, are outdated and do not capture foods produced using new and emerging genetic technologies, such as new breeding techniques (NBTs) like…
Published 7 October 2021
Plain English Allergen Labelling: One year of clearer, safer food labels
Plain English Allergen Labelling: One year of clearer, safer food labels This time last year Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL) requirements became mandatory across Australia and New Zealand. These changes, developed under Proposal P1044, transformed how allergens are declared on food labels, making them easier to identify and understand for millions of consumers. FSANZ approved the new requirements in 2021 after extensive consultation and evidence gathering. The goal was to clearly declare allergens using simple, consistent terms in a standardised format. Businesses had three years to transition and since 25 February 2024, food labels have had to comply with the PEAL requirements. Thousands…
Published 5 March 2025
Second call for comment on review of infant formula standards
Second call for comment on review of infant formula standards Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for submissions on its assessment of standards for infant formula products. FSANZ has reviewed infant formula standards in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) through Proposal P1028 - Infant formula. The review assessed the current regulatory framework incorporating standards for safety, food technology, nutrient composition, labelling and product representation. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the review covers infant formula (for use from newborn), follow-on formula (for use from six to 12 months of age) and infant formula for special dietary use. “Our review aims to ensure regulation of infant formula products is clear, reflects the latest scientific…
Published 26 April 2023