Change to Maximum Residual Limits in Food Standards Code

One of the requirements shown in the Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Code is the maximum amount of permitted chemicals in our food. This is called the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). This section of the Code is under review and therefore the following has just been released by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).It is included here with permission from FSANZ.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand today invited submissions on proposed changes to some Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for agricultural and veterinary chemicals that may be present in food.

FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said the Proposal includes consideration of MRLs gazetted by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) in November 2012 for fenthion, as part of its review of the chemical; other deletions and reductions proposed by the APVMA, and MRLs requested by other parties to further align the Code with Codex or trading partner standards.

“The Code ensures that residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals are kept as low as possible and consistent with the approved use of chemical products to control pests and diseases,” Mr McCutcheon said.

“MRLs in the Code apply to all domestic and imported food. Food with residues exceeding the relevant limit in the Code can’t be legally supplied or sold in Australia.

“FSANZ’s dietary exposure assessment indicates that the limits set out in this Proposal do not present any public health and safety concerns.

“Comments are welcome from government agencies, public health professionals, industry and the community.”

The closing date for submissions is 23 August 2013.

More information

Proposal M1009 – Maximum Residue Limits

Media contact: 0401 714 265 (Australia) or +61 401 714 265 (from New Zealand).