Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today invited public comment on the latest changes being proposed to the Food Standards Code – regulations that cover the content, labelling and handling of food throughout the supply chain.

Changes under consideration include the development of a food safety standard for the dairy industry, new requirements for infant foods, approval of foods derived from genetically modified corn and lysine, and a review of processing aids.

Most amendments to the Code are requested by industry.  

FSANZ has to ensure that Code changes will not adversely affect the health of consumers.   In the case of GM foods and food additives.  FSANZ achieves this by carrying out pre-market safety assessments.

Sometimes, FSANZ – an independent government agency – raises proposals of its own to change the Code.   New food safety standards for the primary industries, including dairy, are a case in point.

Individuals and organisations with an interest in food regulation are given an opportunity to comment on proposed changes.   FSANZ responds to these comments publicly in documents posted on its website.

Food derived from glyphosate-tolerant lucerne
(Application A575 – Initial Assessment)

We received an application from Monsanto Australia Limited to approve the use of food derived from glyphosate-tolerant lucerne J101 and J163 for human consumption, even though this GM food will be used as stock feed in North America.   Under an agreement with the Office of Gene Technology Regulator, FSANZ assesses GM stockfeed crops if there is even the slightest chance they could end up in the human food supply.   We will conduct a safety assessment.   The views of interested parties are welcomed.  

Food derived from high-lysine corn LY038
(Application A549 – Draft Assessment)

Monsanto Australia Limited has asked FSANZ to approve food derived from a corn (LY038) that has been genetically modified to have higher than usual levels of the amino acid, lysine.   This corn line is intended specifically for animal feed, however a small amount may enter the human food supply.   We have completed a pre-market safety assessment of this GM corn and concluded that it is as safe as food derived from conventionally bred corn.   We welcome comment on this assessment.

Primary Production and Processing Standard for milk
(Proposal P296 – Draft Assessment) – Australia only

FSANZ is developing food safety standards for the primary sector.   These standards aim to extend food safety requirements of the Food Standards Code to primary producers and processors, thereby creating an integrated system for managing food safety risk for each industry – from farm to fork – which will be mandatory across Australia.   We have developed a primary production standard for milk based on existing primary production and processing requirements.   The management options and draft standard are now available for public comment.  

Review of processing aids (other than enzymes)
(Proposal P277 – Draft Assessment)

Processing aids used in the manufacture of food products must receive a pre-market approval from FSANZ prior to use.   FSANZ has reviewed the permissions for processing aids in the Code, evaluated the safety of forty processing aids, and checked nomenclature and consistency. We propose a number of changes, including the revoking of approvals for two processing aids on safety grounds.   In addition, amendments are being put forward to bring the Code into line with Australian and New Zealand drinking water guidelines.   We seek comment on these proposed changes.

Medium-chain triglycerides in infant formula products
(Application A563 – Draft Assessment)

DSM Nutritional Products Australia Pty Ltd has applied for permission to use medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) as processing aids in infant formula and follow-on formula.   The intention is to replace other ingredients that require allergen warning statements on food labels.   Our safety and nutrition assessments indicate that there would be no health or safety concerns at the intended level of use of MCTs.   We believe consumers with concerns over allergens would benefit from the use of MCTs.   We invite comment on our intention to allow the use of MCTs in infant formulas.

Submissions:  FSANZ welcomes comment from primary producers, manufacturers, consumers, public health professionals and government agencies.   Details of the assessments listed above can be found on www.foodstandards.gov.au .   Submissions close on 3 May 2006, except for P277, which closes on17 May 2006.