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Call for comment on increase to food irradiation energy levels

Call for comment on increase to food irradiation energy levels Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for submissions on an application to increase the maximum energy level for machines generating X-rays to irradiate food. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the proposed amendment to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) is technologically justified as it increases the efficiency of generating X-rays for food quality and safety purposes.   “FSANZ evaluations of food irradiation have all concluded that there are no safety concerns associated with irradiation of food at the approved absorbed doses,” Dr Cuthbert said. There is no change to the permitted absorbed dose for each food due to this application. “FSANZ found no potential public health and safety concerns with the consumption of food irradiated with…

Published 3 February 2024

Proposal P298 - Benzoate & Sulphite Permissions in Food

Proposal P298 - Benzoate & Sulphite Permissions in Food The purpose of this Proposal is to consider benzoate and sulphite permissions in all foods in response to findings of FSANZ's 21st Australian Total Diet Survey, which found some population sub-groups in Australia consume amounts in excess of the Acceptable Daily Intake levels. Read about the history of P298 Draft Assessment Report (Abandonment) - 29 June 2016 (pdf 433 kb) | (word 129 kb)

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  Published 8 July 2016

BSE food safety risk assessment report for Chile

BSE food safety risk assessment report for Chile (March 2014) FSANZ has completed its bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) food safety assessment for the Republic of Chile. Download the food safety risk assessment report The Australian Government's BSE food safety policy requires that all countries exporting or seeking to export beef to Australia have a risk assessment undertaken by FSANZ. The risk assessment shows that Chile has effective controls for prevention of BSE in place. FSANZ has concluded that the risk posed to consumers from beef products exported from Chile is negligible. FSANZ examined the effectiveness of BSE-related controls throughout the beef production chain in Chile. Animal feeding practices, transportation,…

Published 18 April 2017

Application A1294 - Moringa oleifera as a novel food

Application A1294 - Moringa oleifera as a novel food To permit the sale of Moringa oleifera leaf (fresh and dried), immature (green) pods and seed oil as food and food ingredients in Australia and New Zealand.

Published 27 March 2024

Nanotechnologies in Food Packaging: an Exploratory Appraisal of Safety and Regulation

Nanotechnologies in Food Packaging: an Exploratory Appraisal of Safety and Regulation (June 2016) Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) commissioned ToxConsult Pty Ltd to provide a literature review of the safety and regulation of nanotechnologies in food packaging. To achieve this target, a comprehensive literature search was undertaken in various scientific databases and agency websites; relevant references were sourced and reviewed. In addition, a patent search was conducted with the aim of identifying evidence for nanomaterials currently used in food packaging applications in Australia, New Zealand, United States, Europe, and Asia. It is recognised that not all such technologies may have been identified by the applied search techniques Download:…

Published 2 June 2016

Novel food - Record of views formed in response to inquiries

Novel food - Record of views formed in response to inquiries This document provides a record of views formed and actions taken in relation to Standard 1.5.1 - Novel Foods of the Code. It lists foods and food ingredients with views regarding their status as non-traditional/novel foods. Prior to March 2008, these views were reached by the now superseded Novel Food Reference Group (NFRG) either alone or in consultation with Senior Food Officers of the Australian, state, territory and New Zealand governments, as well as the then Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. Since March 2008, the views recorded are the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods (ANCF) (blue text in the table below). Although the FSANZ NFRG no longer…

Published 4 April 2023

Proposal P237 - Country of Origin Labelling of Food

Proposal P237 - Country of Origin Labelling of Food Draft Assessment Report - 17 March 2004 [ Word | pdf 347 kb ] Preliminary Assessment Report - 9 May 2001 [ Word | pdf kb ]

Published 13 July 2013

Dioxins in food: Dietary exposure assessment and risk characterisation

Dioxins in food: Dietary exposure assessment and risk characterisation (Findings released 28 May 2004) Executive summary 'Dioxins' refers to a group of persistent chlorinated chemical compounds that have similar chemical structures and properties, and have similar biological characteristics, including toxicity. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has conducted an analytical survey of dioxins in a range of food sampled in Australia with the purpose of assessing the level of risk to human health associated with the dietary exposure of the Australian population to dioxins. The overall conclusion of this report is that, on the basis of the available data, taking into account all the inherent uncertainties and limitations, the public health and safety risk for all Australians from exposure to dioxins from foods is very low. 'Dioxins' includes…

Published 6 April 2013

Call for comment on a new definition for genetically modified food

Call for comment on a new definition for genetically modified food Published 30/07/2024 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for public comment on proposed changes to how genetically modified (GM) foods are defined in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code).   Proposed changes developed through Proposal P1055 – Definitions for gene technology and new breeding techniques include a new definition for ‘genetically modified food’.  This is the second round of public consultation on the proposal.  Feedback provided through the first round of consultation has been taken into account in developing new and revised definitions that are simpler and clearer.      FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra…

Published 30 July 2024

National surveillance of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in retail food

National surveillance of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in retail food FSANZ looked at antimicrobial resistant bacteria in the Australian food supply Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) was funded by the Australian Government Department of Disability, Health and Aging to undertake a project looking at antimicrobial resistant bacteria in the Australian food supply, with the support of all jurisdictions.  Surveillance of raw retail meats was undertaken from September 2022 to July 2023. The analysis was completed in 2024 and the report will be released in 2025. Food samples from three raw retail meats – beef, chicken and pork – were purchased nationally by state and territory regulators.  Murdoch University tested all bacteria…

Published 4 August 2025