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Annexe with the Department of Agriculture on imported food

Annexe with the Department of Agriculture on imported food An arrangement for coordination of procedures and communication of imported food issues between - Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the Department of Agriculture

Microorganisms and foodborne illness

Microorganisms and foodborne illness Foodborne illness (or 'food poisoning') is caused by eating food contaminated with harmful microorganisms. Microorganisms are very small organisms you need a microscope to see, including:

What microorganisms cause foodborne illness? Some microorganisms are more…

Published 2 October 2025

Sulphites

Sulphites 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 potential for…

Published 15 February 2019

FSANZ Board Communique: 10 & 11 March 2026 Meeting

FSANZ Board Communique: 10 & 11 March 2026 Meeting Overview The Food Standards Australia and New Zealand Board met on 10 and 11 March 2026 to discuss and decide on food standard matters. Matters for Decision notified to the Food Ministers’ Meeting The following decisions were notified on 24 March 2026. The Food Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) has 60 days to consider FSANZ Board decisions on standards matters: P1056 – Caffeine Review The Board approved Proposal P1056 following a comprehensive review of risks associated with caffeine in the Australia New Zealand food supply,…

Published 24 March 2026

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 in food…

Published 1 October 2025

FSANZ releases findings from national survey of antimicrobial resistance in raw retail meats

FSANZ releases findings from national survey of antimicrobial resistance in raw retail meats A national survey of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Australian raw retail meats has found bacterial resistance to antibiotics of high importance to human health remains low overall.  The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) survey tested more than 4,000 retail beef, pork and chicken samples collected from all Australian states and territories for AMR. AMR occurs when bacteria that can make people sick stop responding to antibiotics used to treat them. It is one of the world’s biggest health challenges.  The survey, the largest of its kind since 2008, found around two thirds of bacteria isolated from the raw meat samples weren’t resistant to any of the antibiotics tested, supporting…

Published 6 February 2026

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

Animals and pests

Animals and pests If you are a grower or primary processor of leafy vegetables or melons, you must control animals, vermin and pests to minimise their presence and the risk of contaminating produce. What are animals and pests? Animals, vermin and pests include livestock, pets and working dogs, rats and mice, birds, wild animals (e.g. kangaroos, possums and deer), flies, cockroaches and other insects. Animals and pests are known to carry harmful microorganisms that can contaminate produce and make it unacceptable. They can directly contaminate crops through their faeces and urine, hair/feathers or carcasses left on growing sites. They can also indirectly contaminate crops through contaminating buildings, equipment and inputs such as water. What are the requirements? Primary producers…

Published 1 October 2025

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