Food safety and quality legislation

Chapter 8

FSANZ

• The federal government have a responsibility in ensuring Australian’s have a safe food supply. The Government body responsible for this is FSANZ. (Food standards Australia New Zealand)

FSANZ

• Develop standards for food manufacturing, labelling, processing and primary production.

• Providing information to consumers to improve choice.

• Coordinate national food surveillance, enforcement and recall. (control imported foods)

• Conduct research• Undertake dietary exposure modelling and scientific

risk assessment.• Provide risk assessment advice on imported foods.

Food standards code objectives…..

• To protect public health and safety• To provide adequate information to

consumers.• To prevent misleading and deceptive conduct.

Food standards code

• Compulsory listing of ingredients and additives.

• Compulsory listing of carbohydrate, proteins and fats percentage.

FSANZ

• Sets the standard food codes but it is up to individual states and territories to enforce and prosecute those that don’t mean it.

Food standards code

• Set the standards that must be met in order for a food to be sold.

General standards for food:Description of foodComposition (what makes up the food)Nutrient valuePermitted microorganism levelsWays to measure quantitative quality of foodAdditional labeling requirements.

Food labelling

• Food standards code has very specific regulations when labelling including what must be included and what can not be advertised.

Food labels• What must be included:• Name or description of food• Name and address of manufacturer• Mandatory allergy warning and advice information• Ingredient list• Net weight• Nutritional information panel• Use by or best before date• Country of origin• Lot number• Percentage labelling• Food additives

Nutrient and health claims on food labels.

• Nutrient claims are allowed but regulations prohibit health claims.

• Example allowed: this product contains calcium that is good for strong bones.

• Example not allowed: this product will make your bones strong.

• Products that advertise specific nutrients must meet a quantity set.

• Criteria is also set for producers labelling food items as ‘light” or “lite” or “fat free”.

• Beware of how they use marketing to appeal to consumers. For example “Light” olive oil refers to the colour and not the fat content.

• “fat free” food items are regularly high in sugar.

• Health claims: A direct connection between consuming a food product or nutrient found in a food product and the decreased risk of a specific disease.

• Nutrient claim: A statement that sets out in general terms the nutritional consequences for good health of the intake of the nutrient.

• Currently the only health claim permitted is the benefit of folate before and during pregnancy.