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Update on national recall of poppy seeds

Update on national recall of poppy seeds Australian food authorities today announced preliminary findings on the cause of contamination which led to a national recall of poppy seeds. While investigations are ongoing, it has been confirmed a batch of poppy seeds not intended for food use and containing high levels of thebaine entered the supply chain. Thebaine is a natural chemical found in poppy seeds which can be toxic in high concentrations.   A total of 37 cases of illness were reported nationally among people who consumed large amounts of poppy seeds. The national recall of several brands was successful in removing affected products from the market. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) announced the…

Published 15 December 2022

Notifying a self-substantiated food-health relationship

Notifying a self-substantiated food-health relationship FSANZ administers the notification of self-substantiated food-health relationships. FSANZ does not consider the merits of notified food-health relationships, and publication of a notification by FSANZ does not indicate acceptance, approval or validation of the relationship.  FSANZ recommends that food businesses contact their local enforcement agency before notifying a self-substantiated food-health relationship. See …

Published 19 July 2023

Allergen labelling for food businesses

Allergen labelling for food businesses A food allergy occurs when a person's immune system reacts to certain food and ingredients and can cause allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. Other immune reactions can also occur in response to food, such as in Coeliac disease. Substances such as sulphites can also cause adverse health reactions for some people with asthma. This is why the Food Standards Code requires certain food and substances to be declared when they are present in a food as ingredients including food additives or processing aids.  Download our allergen labelling poster…

Published 22 July 2022

Consideration of European Union-authorised health claims

Consideration of European Union-authorised health claims When Standard 1.2.7 - Nutrition, health and related claims was gazetted in 2013, 183 food-health relationships from EU-authorised health claims were included in Schedule 4 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). FSANZ looked at a further 32 EU-authorised health claims to establish whether food-health relationships from these could also be included in Standard 1.2.7. A summary of the outcomes of this work is in the table below. The full list of the 32 EU-authorised claims is in the Proposal P293 (Nutrition, Health and Related Claims) …

Published 3 March 2023

Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criterion

Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criterion Nutrient Profiling Scoring Calculator FSANZ’s Nutrient Profiling Scoring Calculator is a tool to help food manufacturers determine whether a food will meet the Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criterion (NPSC). Overview of the Nutrient Profiling Scoring Criterion  What is nutrient profiling? Nutrient profiling is used internationally to classify foods based on their nutrient content and can help to identify healthier foods. What is the NPSC? The…

Published 8 September 2022

Labelling

Labelling FSANZ sets food labelling standards in the Food Standards Code. These standards are enforced by the Australian states and territories and, in New Zealand, by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). The Food Standards Code includes the general labelling and information requirements (Chapter 1 of the Code) that are relevant to all foods, and sets out which requirements apply in different situations (for example food for retail sale, food for catering purposes, or an intra-company transfer). The code also includes specific labelling and information requirements that apply to certain food products only (Chapter 2 of the Code). In addition to the Food Standards Code, all representations made about food are subject to fair trading laws and food laws in Australia and New Zealand which…

Published 22 July 2022

EU claims - Meal replacements and body weight

EU claims - Meal replacements and body weight FSANZ is considering 32 health claims authorised in the European Union (EU) for possible inclusion as food-health relationships in Standard 1.2.7 - Nutrition, Health and Related Claims. The EU has authorised the following two health claims about weight control:

• Meal replacement for weight control: Substituting one daily meal of an energy restricted diet with a meal replacement contributes to…

  Published 29 October 2015