Latest approvals by food ministers.

Many do not realise that food law in this country has to go through a very rigorous process before it becomes something that must be obeyed.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) co-ordinates the process, and it starts with either a review of a current part of the Food Standards Code through a Proposal, or an Application to make a change to the Code.
A Proposal is either generated internally at FSANZ according to a schedule or is requested by the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation.
Applications are put in to FSANZ by businesses, individuals, community groups and interest groups, including industry organisations.
Both reviews and applications go through very strict scientific based processes to determine the impact on Australians (and New Zealanders), and the food industry. The process includes; research of journals, physical testing, taste panels, review of international standards, discussion with state / territory health departments, and discussions with all interested parties.
Once the research is completed, a draft of the potential change to the Code is prepared by FSANZ staff, and put out for consultation by the public after it has been approved to go to that stage.
FSANZ then reviews the comments and feedback from this consultation stage and makes adjustments as required to the changed section of the Code. A second public consultation may even occur and further research, depending upon the situation.
After a set time and at the end of the whole process, this change is presented to the next meeting of the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation for approval or a decision on direction.
The Forum meets at regular times throughout the year and is the body approving of all changes to the Code.
At the recent meeting of the Forum, it was decided that the new version of the Food Standards Code is approved for adoption and operation effective early 2016.
The Healthy Star Rating was also discussed and an update of it’s progress given to the Ministers.
Mandatory trans fatty acid labelling was not approved as research by FSANZ shows that it is low and does not warrant going to that requirement at this stage, although voluntary labelling is still encouraged.
The Ministers said that they are “extremely concerned” about people consuming unpasteurised cow’s milk (so called “bath milk”) and that further action is required with a national focus and approach.
Interestingly, the Forum approved Proposal P1022, which will allow the manufacture of cheese from raw milk, under specific conditions.
The next meeting of the Ministerial Forum will be in Hobart in July 2015.
Written by Rachelle Williams, The Green Food Safety Coach.