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The annual cost of foodborne illness in Australia by food commodities and pathogens

The annual cost of foodborne illness in Australia by food commodities and pathogens In 2023, FSANZ commissioned the University of Melbourne and the Australian National University to estimate the annual cost of foodborne illness in Australia by food commodities and pathogens. The project builds on prior work by the team at the Australian National University to estimate the cost of foodborne illness in Australia.  Foodborne disease costs Australia AUD 2.81 billion each year (2023 inflation-adjusted estimate), with high-cost illnesses including campylobacteriosis and its sequelae (annual cost of AUD 420 million),…

Published 16 September 2024

Application A385 - Insect protected BT-176 corn

Application A385 - Insect protected BT-176 corn Full Assessment Report - 4 October 2000 [ pdf ]

Published 28 June 2018

Birchan Pty Ltd - BBQ Kurobuta Pork Buns 480g

Birchan Pty Ltd - BBQ Kurobuta Pork Buns 480g   Best Before 5/12/2024 and Best Before 19/02/2025 Birchan Pty Ltd T/A Vic's Meat is conducting a recall of the above product. The recalled product has been available for sale in Vic’s Meat stores in NSW and online in NSW, ACT, QLD, VIC and SA. Problem: The recall is due to the presence of undeclared allergens (gluten, egg, milk). Food Safety Hazard: Any consumers who have a gluten, egg or milk allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if the product is consumed. What to do:  Consumers who have a gluten, egg, or milk allergy or intolerance should not consume this product. Consumers should return the product(s) to the place of purchase for a full refund. Any consumers…

Published 17 September 2024

Notification Circular - 309-24

Notification Circular - 309-24 This Notification Circular includes notices that are required to be given to the public, submitters and appropriate government agencies, under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (FSANZ Act). For information about progress on all current applications and proposals, including anticipated consultation opportunities, see the FSANZ Food Standards Work Plan. Previous Notification Circulars and Gazettes are available on the…

Published 17 September 2024

Call for comment on permitting 2-methyloxolane as a processing aid

Call for comment on permitting 2-methyloxolane as a processing aid Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for submissions on an application to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to permit a new processing aid. Application A1260 will permit 2-methyloxolane as a processing aid to be used as an extraction solvent in the separation of substances such as protein, oils and fragrances from plant-based materials. FSANZ is proposing to set maximum permitted levels for residual 2-methyloxolane in final foods. These are 3 mg/kg for infant formula products, 5 mg/kg in foods for infants and formulated supplementary foods for young children, and 20 mg/kg for other foods. Based on FSANZ’s assessment, no public health and safety concerns have been identified at the proposed maximum permitted levels. To have your say…

Published 26 August 2024

Call for comment on a GM processing aid for use in baking and brewing

Call for comment on a GM processing aid for use in baking and brewing Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to permit a genetically modified (GM) processing aid for use in baking, brewing, distilled alcohol production and starch processing.  The application is seeking approval of a protein engineered variant of the enzyme glucoamylase as a processing aid to produce glucose syrups and other starch hydrolysates.  The enzyme is sourced from a GM strain of Aspergillus niger (A. niger) containing a protein engineered variant of the glucoamylase gene from Gloeophyllum sepiarium. The proposed use of glucoamylase as an enzyme processing aid in the quantity and form proposed is consistent with its…

Published 28 August 2024

Call for comment on A1301 – a GM processing aid

Call for comment on A1301 – a GM processing aid ​Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on A1301 – Triacylglycerol lipase from GM Komagataella phaffii as a processing aid. This is an application to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to permit the use of an enzyme from a genetically modified (GM) microorganism as a processing aid in bread and bakery products.  The enzyme, triacylglycerol lipase, is sourced from GM Komagataella phaffii (K. phaffi) containing the triacylglycerol lipase gene from Fusarium oxysporum. Its use improves the crumb structure, volume and shape of bread and bakery products.  K. phaffii has a long history of safe use as a production microorganism of enzyme processing aids, including several that are already permitted in the…

Published 6 September 2024

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

Call for comment on food made from a new GM sugar beet line

Call for comment on food made from a new GM sugar beet line Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the sale and use of food made from a new genetically modified (GM) sugar beet.   Sugar beet line KWS20-1 has been genetically modified to provide herbicide tolerance.   If approved, food products derived from this sugar beet, including refined sugar or molasses, may enter the Australian and New Zealand food supply.  Our safety assessment found no potential public health and safety concerns with food derived from this GM sugar beet. It is as safe as food from non-GM sugar beet varieties.  Safety assessments are a key part of the approval process for all GM foods. To help people make informed choices, food made from this sugar beet would need to be labelled as '…

Published 16 September 2024

Call for comment on proposal to vary maximum residue limits of agvet chemicals in foods

Call for comment on proposal to vary maximum residue limits of agvet chemicals in foods Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on a proposal to amend the schedule for agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). Schedule 20 of the Code lists the maximum levels of residues of agvet chemicals that are allowed, in or on foods. FSANZ is proposing amendments to Schedule 20 after consideration of maximum residue limits (MRLs): 

• adopted at the 2023 Codex Alimentarius Commission meeting, 
• requested by stakeholders seeking alignment with standards set by international trading partners, and
• to reflect changes in agvet chemical use in Australia as requested by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines…

  Published 16 September 2024