News from FSANZ

Folic Acid fortification in New Zealand

New Zealand has joined Australia with the requirement for wheat flour intended for bread making to be fortified with folic acid.

In 2009 Australia introduced the requirement, which has since resulted in a 74% decrease in neural tube defects in Indigenous populations across the country.

The requirement has been voluntary in New Zealand since 2014 and will be mandatory from mid 2023.

It is estimated by the New Zealand Government that this introduction will prevent up to 240 neural tube defects over the next 30 years

More information is available on the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industry website.

Sports Foods Standard review

Standard 2.9.4 – Formulated Supplementary Sports Foods of the Food Standards Code has not been reviewed in about 20 years and with the changes that have happened in the sports industry, it is time for a review.

This Standard is focussed on the special purpose foods which are intended to help specific nutritional or performance goals be achieved by sporting people.

.FSANZ is currently calling for data on the composition of sports foods as part of Standard review.

To have an input into the review go to the Food Standards website.