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Call for comment on plant sterols in plant-based milk alternatives
Call for comment on plant sterols in plant-based milk alternatives Date: 1/07/2022 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow phytosterols, phytostanols or their esters (plant sterols) to be added as a novel food to plant-based milk alternatives. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said FSANZ's safety assessment found no health and safety concerns for consumers in Australia and New Zealand. “Plant sterols have a long history of safe use and have been permitted to be added to certain foods for more than 20 years,” Dr Cuthbert said. For more information and to access assessment documents, visit the FSANZ call for comment page. Submissions close 6pm (Canberra time) on 12 August 2022. What happens to my feedback? We will publish all submissions to…
Published December 2023
Call for comment on Proposal P1061 - Code Maintenance Proposal 2023
Call for comment on Proposal P1061 - Code Maintenance Proposal 2023 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is seeking public comments on a proposal to make minor amendments to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand code (the Code).¯ FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the proposal seeks to correct typographical errors, omissions, inconsistencies and formatting issues, and to update references in the Code. Dr Cuthbert explained the proposal would also amend notes in the Code required to reflect the action taken by the New Zealand Government to require mandatory addition of folic acid to all wheat flour sold as suitable for bread-making in New Zealand on or from 13 August 2023. “The proposed amendments to the Code are all relatively straightforward in nature. No potential public health and safety concerns…
Published December 2023
Call for comment on proposed amendments to pregnancy warning labels on corrugated cardboard packaging of alcoholic beverage
Call for comment on proposed amendments to pregnancy warning labels on corrugated cardboard packaging of alcoholic beverage Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit pregnancy warning marks on corrugated cardboard packaging to be in a single colour on a contrasting background. The applicant is seeking the changes to address a technical printing issue which results in misalignment of the three-colour pregnancy warning mark on corrugated cardboard packaging, making it difficult to read and reducing effectiveness. Corrugated cardboard is typically used to package multiple cans or bottles of alcoholic beverages. The proposed changes would allow an alternative larger pregnancy warning mark to be…
Published December 2023
Call for comment on proposed changes to the regulation of electrolyte drinks
Call for comment on proposed changes to the regulation of electrolyte drinks Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today released a consultation paper on proposed changes to the regulation of electrolyte drinks. FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Mr Mark Booth invited public comment on the proposed changes to Food Standards Code requirements for the labelling and composition of electrolyte drinks.“The changes proposed are designed to support better public health outcomes, including by allowing manufacturers to reduce sugar content and making on-pack health claims clearer for consumers.“We're proposing to lower the minimum content requirement for carbohydrates in electrolyte drinks, from 50 grams per litre to 20 g/L.“Our assessment found electrolyte drinks with a carbohydrate content of 2% have a similar effect on…
Published December 2023
Call for comment on proposed changes to better align food classifications with international systems
Call for comment on proposed changes to better align food classifications with international systems Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today released a call for comment on proposed changes to better align food classifications in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) with international systems. The proposed changes to Schedule 22 - Food and classes of foods of the Code aim to improve compliance with and enforcement of maximum residue limits (MRLs) for agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals used in food production. FSANZ Interim CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the proposal sought to address inconsistencies between the food names and classes of food in the Code and those adopted by the international food standards body codex. “The proposed changes are…
Published December 2023
Call for comment on proposed changes to kava food standard
Call for comment on proposed changes to kava food standard Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for public comment on proposed changes to the food standard regulating kava use. FSANZ has reviewed the kava standard in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to support a Federal Government pilot program which will allow commercial importation of kava into Australia to build stronger cultural and economic ties with Pacific Island nations. FSANZ interim CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the proposed changes would clarify the original intent of the kava standard to limit the preparation and consumption of kava beverage to traditional use…
Published December 2023
Call for comment on rapeseed (canola) protein isolate
Call for comment on rapeseed (canola) protein isolate Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow a new type of protein sourced from rapeseed (Canola) in the Food Standards Code. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the rapeseed protein isolate is a new ingredient that hasn't been used in Australia or New Zealand previously but is currently used in the EU and USA. “Protein can be sourced from animals (like whey) or other plants (soy or pea) and added to food as a protein source. “This new protein may be used as a replacement for existing protein sources and may be, if approved, added to bakery products, beverages, dairy, plant-based meat products and protein products. “Our safety assessment looked at the technological, microbiological, nutritional, toxicology and dietary exposure aspects of the…
Published December 2023
Call for comment on review of pure and highly concentrated caffeine ban
Call for comment on review of pure and highly concentrated caffeine ban Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for public comment on a review of a recent ban on the retail sale of pure and highly concentrated caffeine food products. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said pure and highly concentrated caffeine food products were banned from retail sale in December last year following a review which found these products pose an unacceptably high risk to people in the community. “In August 2019 Ministers asked FSANZ to review these products after the tragic death of a young man in NSW from caffeine toxicity from a pure caffeine powder. “Our risk assessment found small amounts of these substances (less than a teaspoon) can cause severe health effects, including death. “We raised an urgent proposal to ban the sale of these…
Published December 2023
Call for comment on soy leghemoglobin permission
Call for comment on soy leghemoglobin permission Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application by Impossible Foods Inc. to permit soy leghemoglobin in meat analogue products that is produced using a genetically modified strain of yeast. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said soy leghemoglobin is a protein naturally present in the roots of soybean plants that is not currently consumed in the diets of Australians and New Zealanders. “The applicant uses an original method of production where the genetically modified yeast is fermented to express soy leghemoglobin. “Impossible Foods is proposing to use soy leghemoglobin in its plant-based meat analogue products including meatballs, sausage, or as fillings in buns and dumplings. “The purpose of this haem-containing ingredient is to impart 'meat-like characteristics' by…
Published December 2023
Call for comment on the 12 month review of the kava food standard
Call for comment on the 12 month review of the kava food standard Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on the 12 month review of the kava standard. In March 2022, the FSANZ Board approved a variation to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) after considering an urgent proposal to clarify the existing permission for kava. Under the urgent proposal provisions, FSANZ has assessed the resulting variation and is calling for submissions to help decide whether to reaffirm the variation or prepare a proposal to amend or repeal the variation. The purpose of the review is to ensure provisions for kava in the Code continue to protect public health and safety after Australia lifted the ban on commercial importation of kava from 1 December 2021.¯ …
Published December 2023