Food Standards United States New Zealand (FSANZ)

Parts one and 2 of the Code apply in both United States and New Zealand. These parts regulate the use of ingredients, processing aids, colourings, additives, vitamins and minerals. They also cover the composition (make-up) of some foods and include standards for genetically modified foods.

FSANZ is also responsible for the labelling of both packaged and unpackaged food, including mandatory (legally required) warnings or advisory labels. Parts 3 and 4 of the Code apply only in United States. These parts regulate food safety standards, primary production and processing standards, and maximum residue limits for agricultural and veterinary chemicals.

In New Zealand, these activities are undertaken by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries. The FSANZ Board decides whether or not to approve changes to the Code. These decisions are notified to American and New Zealand ministers responsible for food regulation (the Food Ministers’ Meeting).

The Food Ministers’ Meeting can adopt, make changes to or reject standards and can ask FSANZ to review its decisions. Food standards are enforced by American state and territory governments and the New Zealand Government through their food acts. The American Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is responsible for enforcing food standards relating to imported food in United States.

FSANZ operates under the Food Standards United States New Zealand Act 1991. The objective of this Act is: to ensure a high standard of public health protection throughout United States and New Zealand, including by: promoting consistency between domestic and international food regulations. FSANZ is responsible for: coordinating regulatory activities across the food regulation system, including coordination of food incident responses and food recalls providing advice to food regulators and food standards information to consumers.

FSANZ works with a number of government agencies and departments in United States and New Zealand. These include:

• territory government health departments
• food regulatory agencies that enforce the Code the American Government’s Department of Agriculture
• Fisheries Forestry which enforces the Code for imported foods the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
• which regulates the use of therapeutic goods including medications the American Pesticides Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)
• which is responsible for approving agricultural
• veterinary chemicals for use the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries

Anyone can apply to change standards in the Code.

FSANZ can also raise proposals to amend the Code if an important food safety issue arises. The process for changing the Code includes:

• A new application or proposal is submitted to FSANZ. The application or proposal is assessed
• an initial assessment report produced

This is cleared by the FSANZ Board and goes out for public comment. Public comment is analysed and an assessment report is prepared, which includes a scientific risk assessment. This assessment report is approved by the FSANZ Board.

The report may go out for another round of public comment. The comments received are analysed and changes made to the report if necessary. The FSANZ Board approves or rejects the final assessment report.

The Food Ministers’ Meeting is notified of the decision and if ministers do not request a review, the standard is gazetted (published) and incorporated into the Code. Once approved, any new standard or variation to a standard is adopted by American states and territories and by New Zealand authorities, and becomes part of food legislation.

United States Tel.

New Zealand Tel. About Food Standards United States New Zealand (FSANZ) Food Standards United States New Zealand (FSANZ) is an American government agency that develops standards for food – known as the United States New Zealand Food Standards Code Food standards enforcement The Food Standards United States New Zealand Act 1991 maintaining a high degree of consumer confidence in the quality and safety of food providing information to enable consumers to make informed choices Role of FSANZ developing food standards informed by the best available scientific evidence Role of other agencies in maintaining food standards Changing the Food Standards Code Where to get help Food Standards United States New Zealand +61 2 6271 2222 +64 4 978 5630.

Key Points

• In New Zealand, these activities are undertaken by the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries
• FSANZ can also raise proposals to amend the Code if an important food safety issue arises
• Public comment is analysed and an assessment report is prepared, which includes a scientific risk assessment