Annual Report now available
Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ) 2003-04 Annual Report was tabled in the Australian Parliament on 1 November 2004 and is now available at www.foodstandards.gov.au
The year at a glance
FSANZ was restructured around four branches - with a Food Standards Branch in both Canberra and Wellington largely responsible for risk management in relation to standards in Chapters 1 and 2 of the Food Standards Code.
The Wellington Office has an expanded role with responsibility for labelling standards.
FSANZ’s science function has been strengthened with the establishment of a Scientific Risk Assessment and Evaluation Branch with responsibility for scientific risk assessment.
The new arrangements provide an enhanced role for the chief scientist and increased line management responsibility for science functions within the organisation.
The Food Safety and Services Branch manages increased responsibilities for the development of primary production standards and the food safety standards.
FSANZ recognises that the food regulation reforms have had a significant impact on its core business, on its consultative arrangements, on its decision-making powers and on its relationships with a more extensive group of stakeholders.
The organisation has revised arrangements for the delivery of training and consultancy services in the Asia-Pacific region, and changed operational arrangements to manage the risk assessment, risk management and risk communication interface more effectively.
FSANZ maintenance of strong international networks and engagement in international food regulatory activities ensures that FSANZ’s food standards reflect world best practice.
A key priority of our international collaboration throughout the year was continued support for Australia’s involvement in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the World Health Organization and other international agencies.
The leadership FSANZ has provided in the Asia-Pacific region through training initiatives in food regulatory matters has been significant.
FSANZ currently has 84 applications and proposals in its workplan and the number in Group 1 (health and safety issues being progressed as a priority has trebled from 6 in 2000-01 to 23 in 2003-04.
Delays in commencing Group2 applications on the three-year rolling workplan has increased from six to nine months in 2002 to 18 months at present.
Major progress was made on the development of a Primary Production and Processing Standard for Seafood and the Poultry Standard.
The Ministerial Council guidelines on Nutrition, Health and Related Claims and Country of Origin Labelling enabled FSANZ to start the development of appropriate standards.
FSANZ has 90 highly qualified scientists plus other professionals; about 43% of staff have Bachelor degrees and 29% hold post graduate qualifications including 15% of staff with PhDs.
There was a slight increase in food recalls this year (77) over the previous year (75) mainly due to incorrect allergen labelling (up 3) but also microbiological contamination (up 4), other reasons were down.
Avoid hijiki seaweed
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has urged people to avoid eating a type of seaweed called hijiki, which may contain high levels of naturally occurring arsenic.
This advice does not apply to other varieties of edible seaweed, such as arame, nori, kombu and wakame.
FSANZ, together with State and Territory health departments and food regulators, is asking suppliers and retailers – including restaurants - to voluntarily withdraw hijiki seaweed from the marketplace.
If they fail to comply, they could face strict penalties.
Australia’s food safety laws allow people to import food for their own personal use, however, limits do apply.
For more information visit the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) at www.aqis.gov.au or email foodimp@aqis.gov.au or call (02) 6272 4934.