Have your say about the latest at FSANZ.
The following are three calls to action from Food Standards Australia New Zealand and are included here with permission;
Call for submissions on application for new sweetener
Date: 20/07/2018
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today called for submissions on an application to permit a new sweetener.
FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Mark Booth said the sweetener was derived from monk fruit (or luo han guo).
“FSANZ has conducted a thorough safety assessment and concluded there are no public health or safety issues related to the use of monk fruit extract as a sweetener,” Mr Booth said.
Monk fruit extract is derived from the fruit of Siraitia grosvenorii, a perennial vine, native to southern China. It is between 250 and 400 times sweeter than sucrose.
The period for comment closes at 6pm (Canberra time) 31 August 2018.
All FSANZ decisions on applications are notified to ministers responsible for food regulation who can ask for a review or agree that the standard should become law.
More information
Call for comment to permit rosemary extract as a food additive
Date: 20/07/2018
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the use of rosemary extract as a food additive.
FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the applicant is seeking permission to use rosemary extract in a range of foods to extend shelf life.
“Rosemary extract is permitted for use as a food additive in the European Union, Japan, Singapore and China, Mr Booth said.
“FSANZ’s risk assessment found no health and safety concerns with the additive.”
Rosemary extract is sourced from the leaves of the rosemary plant and has properties that are similar to other permitted food additives.
The period for comment closes at 6pm (Canberra time) 31 August 2018.
All FSANZ decisions on applications are notified to ministers responsible for food regulation who can ask for a review or agree that the standard should become law.
More information
How to make a submission
Call for comment on Reb M produced using a novel method
Date: 20/07/2018
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application seeking to permit a novel production method for an already permitted sweetener (Rebaudioside M).
FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said Rebaudioside M is a type of steviol glycoside, which is a naturally occurring sweetening agent extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant.
“The applicant is seeking approval to use a novel process to manufacture the sweetener using enzymes from genetically modified yeast,” Mr Booth said
“FSANZ’s risk assessment found no health and safety concerns with the new method.”
The period for comment closes at 6pm (Canberra time) 31 August 2018.
All FSANZ decisions on applications are notified to ministers responsible for food regulation who can ask for a review or agree that the standard should become law.
More information
Read the Call for Submissions report
Media contact: 0401 714 265 (Australia) or +61 401 714 265 (from New Zealand)