09/03
21 May 2003
INITIAL ASSESSMENT REPORT
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DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC SUBMISSIONS to the Authority in relation to this matter: |
Full Report[ pdf 183kb ]
Executive Summary
Food Standards Australia New Zealand received an application on 21 February 2003 from Iodine Technologies Australia Pty Ltd to approve the use of iodine as a processing aid under Standard 1.3.3 Processing Aids of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Food Standards Code).
It is proposed to use iodine as a washing agent to reduce the levels of pathogenic bacteria and natural microflora on the surface of food, particularly fresh produce. The sanitising system that has been developed delivers iodine in treatment water at a controlled concentration, which can be set within the range of 3 to 30 ppm. The iodine concentration used depends on the contact time and the microbial load on the product to be treated.
This Initial Assessment report is not an assessment of the merits of the application but rather is an assessment of whether the application should be accepted for further consideration, according to criteria laid down in the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (the Act). It has been concluded that, having regard to the criteria specified in section 13 of the Act, the application be accepted for further assessment.
The purpose of this report is to provide relevant information supplied by the applicant, to assist in identifying the affected parties and to outline the relevant issues necessary to complete assessment of the application, now that it has been accepted. The information needed to complete the assessment will include information received from public submissions.
If this application is successful, FSANZ will amend the Food Standards Code and insert permission for the use of iodine as a washing agent in the Table to clause 12 of Standard 1.3.3.
Public submissions are now invited on this Initial Assessment report. Comments are specifically requested on the scientific aspects of this application, in particular, information relevant to the safety of iodine as a washing agent for food and the technological justification for its use.
Full Report[ pdf 183kb ]