Published
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is staying ahead of changes in the rapidly evolving food sector.
FSANZ is guided by 3 strategic objectives, outlined in the Corporate Plan 2024-25.
The first objective - ‘Food you can trust’ – is about ensuring the food supply in Australia and New Zealand is safe, both now and into the future.
As part of its work to support a safe food supply, FSANZ proactively identifies and responds to emerging challenges and opportunities within the joint Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation System.
In 2021, we introduced a new emerging issues framework - Vigilance and Intelligence Before food issues Emerge, otherwise known as the VIBE - to identify, triage and respond to potential food matters of relevance to FSANZ.
Our expert and dedicated staff track potential food issues and share insights across the agency.
So far, the VIBE has considered over 300 potential food matters and is actively monitoring around 25% of those.
Some identified risks have required immediate attention. For example, when Listeria in imported enoki mushrooms appeared on the VIBE’s radar in 2022, FSANZ responded by:
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launching a national survey of enoki mushrooms
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conducting a microbiological risk assessment
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providing risk advice to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to inform border actions, and
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collaborating with other international food agencies on risk management strategies.
The VIBE helps FSANZ stay ahead of potential food risks.
FSANZ doesn’t do this alone. We rely on the valuable insights of our food sector partners and international collaborators to stay ahead of emerging issues.
If you are aware of an emerging food safety issue that the VIBE should consider, please contact thevibe@foodstandards.gov.au.