The Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association (AEPMA) has re-launched its November 2011 Code of Practice for the management of pests in the food industry. The code defines best practice requirements for food business and premises. Australian food safety specialist, Gavin Buckett says that the new Code of Practice brings a new level of professionalism and understanding to pest control for the food industry. The new Code of Practice complements the requirements of the Food Standards Code and... ...Read more »

Victoria-based wholesalers Ontrack Pty Ltd has recalled a batch of Walkers Chocolates of London Milk Chocolate Selection Fruit and Nut Selection due to undeclared brazil nuts and almonds. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has advised consumers with a brazil nut and/or almond allergy or intolerance not to consume this product. The product, imported from the UK, has been available to buy from Kmart stores nationally and is packaged in a 450g plastic jar. The products in question have a Best Before... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today announced that oranges and orange juice sold in Australia will not be permitted to contain any carbendazim, after it was announced that existing permissions would be revoked in the first quarter of 2012. The moves follows concerns raised after the US Food and Drug Administration detected trace amounts of carbendazim in orange juice imported from Brazil. Carbendazim is a fungicide used in many countries to control fungal diseases. The Australian... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is proposing an examination of options for primary production and processing requirements for the raw horticultural produce sector. The examination may result in the development of a new standard. The proposal, which will be of particular relevance to those who produce dried fruit and vegetables, is expected to be preliminarily open for public comment between mid-March 2012 and mid-May 2012. Labelling requirements for food for catering purposes and retail... ...Read more »

New South Wales-based DSM Food Specialties, which produces food ingredients and nutritional additives, has applied to the Australian Government’s main food regulatory standards agency, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), to allow the enzyme amylomaltase to be used as a food processing aid. Application A1061 is for the use of amylomaltase, sourced from a genetically modified (GM) strain of Bacillus Amyloliquefaciens bacteria, as a processing aid to produce modified starch products as... ...Read more »

The Australian Government’s main food regulatory standards agency, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), has begun development of a new food production and processing standard for game meat (Proposal P1014). The purpose of the new standard is to achieve a nationally consistent approach to the management of meat safety. Development of this standard will require extensive stakeholder involvement with a minimum two rounds of public consultation. FSANZ has said there will be opportunity to... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is consulting the general public on whether permission should be given for raw milk (non-pasteurised) products to be sold in Australia. FSANZ is calling for public comment on its Proposal P1007, looking at permissions for raw milk products to be sold in Australia. However, FSANZ has recommended permission apply only for the non-pasteurised hard to very hard cooked curd cheeses. This will involve changes to the Food Standards Code relating to storage time... ...Read more »

The sushi bar in David Jones’ famous food hall is among five businesses added to the NSW Food Authority’s Name and Shame list, after it was found to have breached the Food Standards Code in relation to temperature control, Primary Industries Minister Steve Whan said on Sunday. “The business failed to demonstrate that the temperature or any heating or cooling process in use will not adversely affect the microbiological safety of food and was fined $660,” Minister Whan said. “Prawn... ...Read more »

With the chill of winter well and truly upon us, the risk of viral gastro contamination heats up, Primary Industries Minister Steve Whan warned today as he urged chefs and cooks to take care in the kitchen during the peak viral gastro season.”This warning applies particularly to those food industry professionals who come into contact with the preparation and service of food for hundreds, if not thousands of people,” Minister Whan said. “If you’re crook don’t cook is... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has outlined a number of possible changes to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code including the prospect of allowing more raw milk products. The changes under consideration include the approval of genetically modified (GM) maize, cotton and corn, erythrosine as a colouring for icing and a national food safety standard for the production and processing of raw milk products. Food derived from herbicide-tolerant (GM) maize – Application A1021... ...Read more »