Testing, testing: what’s happening with Australian food safety standards?
01 February, 2012 by Alice RichardFollowing the carbendazim scare in the US, Australia has begun testing incoming imported orange juice concentrate. FSANZ’s backflip on testing of orange juice products from foreign sources - and the Australian citrus industry’s reaction to the carbendazim scare - raises some questions about Australian standards and the state of the Australian citrus industry.
No need for ruffled feathers, says DAFF
31 January, 2012The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry says there is no need for panic despite avian influenza being detected near Melbourne.
American fungicide scare raises questions about Australian standards
30 January, 2012 by Alice RichardThe US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was alerted to the presence of the fungicide carbendazim in imported Brazilian orange juice concentrate in late December last year. Levels of up to 35 parts per billion were found in the concentrate and, in response, the FDA began testing all imported concentrate in the US. Australia’s reaction to the concerns raises difficult questions about Australian standards, testing procedures and provenance labelling.
Call for submissions on hemp application report
08 December, 2011Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today called for submissions from government agencies, public health professionals, industry and the community on its assessment report for an application to allow food derived from hemp.
Call for submissions on GM corn line application
24 November, 2011FSANZ has called for submissions to change the Food Standards Code to allow food derived from a GM corn line.
ISO standard on traceability of finfish products released
09 November, 2011ISO 12875:2011, Traceability of finfish products is a newly released standard that will help improve food safety by supplying stakeholders throughout the supply chain with accurate information about the origin and nature of these products.
Three major challenges facing Chinese exporting seafood to the US
03 November, 2011As food imports increase and FDA demands more detailed disclosure and tracking, foreign seafood manufacturers and suppliers will undoubtedly feel the pressure from both government agencies and US importers. Benjamin England discusses the major challenges.
Fonterra convicted and fined after workplace death
20 October, 2011An unsafe stacking system causes a worker’s death and Fonterra Australia is fined $300,000 and receives a conviction.
US FDA to resolve issues before initiating new food import fee
17 October, 2011The US Food and Drug Administration will not initiate new food import re-examination fee program until they resolve issues.
Fat tax won’t curb obesity levels in Australia
05 October, 2011The AFGC claims that introducing a tax on saturated fat in foods is regressive and isn’t the answer to addressing obesity levels in Australia.
TWE supports wine tax reform
30 September, 2011Treasury Wine Estates, a leading premium wine business, has posted a submission to the Australian Government supporting the wine tax reform, with additional changes.
Standards Australia olive oil standard
12 September, 2011 byStandards Australia has approved a new olive oil standard for both imported and domestic oils. The standard will promote and protect authentic products and put consumers in a much stronger position when it comes to making informed choices.
FDA charges fee to US food importers
30 August, 2011During a time of worldwide recession, US food importers, most of them small businesses, will soon find themselves unexpectedly impacted by additional costs caused by FDA’s new fees for ‘re-examining’ imported foods.
Returning to work made easier for injured workers
24 August, 2011A new toolkit from WorkSafe Victoria may help industry workers get back to safe work sooner.
FSANZ calls for comment on raw milk products proposal and GM soybean product
19 August, 2011Food Standards Australia New Zealand has called for public comment on a report looking at permissions for raw milk products in Australia and an application for food derived from a genetically modified soybean.
