23 March 2017
[08-17]
This Notification Circular includes notices that are required to be given to the public, submitters and appropriate government agencies, under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (FSANZ Act).
For information about progress on all current applications and proposals, including anticipated consultation opportunities, see the FSANZ Food Standards Development Work Plan.
Approval and Forum notification
FSANZ has approved variations arising from the following Applications. FSANZ has notified these approvals to the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation (Forum):
Once FSANZ has notified the Forum of its decision, the Forum has 60 days to either request FSANZ to review the approved variations or inform FSANZ that it does not intend to request a review. Further information on the Forum process is available on the FSANZ website.
Other matters
Management of imported food safety risks
On 20 March 2017, the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resource, the Hon Barnaby Joyce MP, announced the Australian Government's decision to introduce changes to the management of imported food safety risks through a package of legislative and non-legislative reforms.
The draft amendment Bill and regulations enabling the legislative reforms is available for public consultation. Members of the public, food importing companies and Australia's trading partners are invited to provide comments on the draft bill and regulations. The consultation period will close on 4 May 2017.
Copies of these documents and information on the public consultation process are available from the Imported Food Reform consultation website.
Amendment to Schedule 20 - Maximum residue limits (MRLs) [Australia only]
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has notified FSANZ of applications or variations to the APVMA MRL Standard that the APVMA considers will likely result in variations to Schedule 20 if they are granted.
More information on these notifications is available from our maximum residue limits page.
Calls for public comment - Proposed variations to Schedule 20
The APVMA has called for public comment on a number of proposed variations to Schedule 20.
Information can be found on the APVMA website.
Gazettal of amendments to Schedule 20
The APVMA has registered amendments to Schedule 20 on the Federal Register of Legislation. For further information go to the Register.
Information Publication Scheme - Important information for applicants and submitters
Under the Information Publication Scheme all applications to change the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, as well as submissions on applications and proposals, will be published on our website.
We will not publish any material provided in-confidence. Applications will be published when we publicly notify FSANZ's decision after an Administrative Assessment has been completed and the application has been accepted. Submissions will be published as soon as possible after the end of the public comment period. Where large numbers of documents are involved, FSANZ will make these available on CD, rather than on the website.
Contact us
If you wish to be advised of developments with any of the matters listed above or require more information about anything in this Circular, email standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au.
To make a submission or ask about submissions email submissions@foodstandards.gov.au.
Visit our contact us page if you have general questions about our work.
Food Regulation Secretariat
In accordance with the Food Regulation Agreement, the Australian Government Department of Health is responsible for providing secretariat services to the Legislative Governance Forum on Food Regulation, the Food Regulation Standing Committee and the Implementation Subcommittee for Food Regulation.
The Food Regulation Secretariat sends information updates to stakeholders on a regular basis. If you would like to receive these updates (this is separate and in addition to updates from FSANZ), register your details via the Food Regulation website.
Alternatively, the Food Regulation Secretariat can be contacted on:
Phone: +61 2 6289 5128
Fax: +61 2 6289 5100
Postal Address: Food Regulation Secretariat
MDP 802, GPO Box 9848
CANBERRA ACT 2601