Health experts have advised women who are pregnant or breastfeeding that they need to ensure they get enough iodine. Recent findings from the National Iodine Nutrition Survey showed that much of the Australian population is mildly iodine deficient. Mandatory fortification of bread with iodine has recently been introduced, but Dr John Burgess of the Tasmanian Ministerial Thyroid Committee said that while the measures were excellent for the general population, they do not provide enough iodine for... ...Read more »

The NSW Food Authority has fined a Newtown cafe for “failing to ensure that food for disposal (recalled Bonsoy soy milk) was kept separate from other products”. The company has been fined $660 for failing to comply with the standards required by the Food Standards Code. Bonsoy was recalled in December last year by its importer, Spiral Foods, after unusually high levels of iodine were found in the product. Since then, the ban on the recalled product has been repeatedly flouted by cafes,... ...Read more »

Heng Fai Trading Co. Pty. Ltd is issuing a voluntary recall of their Dried Seaweed product as it has been found to contain unusually high levels of naturally occurring iodine. Bonsoy faced similar issues in December last year (2009) and also made a voluntary recall of its soy milk due to high levels of iodine in its product. Consumers please be advised that the below product may cause illness. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice. The recall applies only to 150g... ...Read more »

Retail outlets have been warned to heed product recall advice after food safety authorities responded to a complaint that alleged an inner Sydney café was still using Bonsoy soy milk - a product that was subject to a nationwide recall in December. NSW Minister for Primary Industries Steve Whan advised today that any company selling goods that have been recalled would face a heavy penalty. “Ignorance is no excuse, the NSW Food Authority issued advice prior to Christmas of the recall of Bonsoy... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand has advised people not to consume Bonsoy soy milk. Coffee shops, retail and other outlets should also not use this product. This follows a cluster of nine adults aged from 29 to 47, and one child, who have recently presented in NSW with thyroid problems. These individuals all reported consuming Bonsoy soy milk. Subsequent testing of samples of Bonsoy soy milk revealed unusually high levels of iodine. This brand of soy milk is enriched with “Kombu”,... ...Read more »

The addition of iodised salt to Australian bread from tomorrow (October 9) will help address the re-emergence of iodine deficiency across most of the population, the nation’s food regulatory body advised today. Dr Paul Brent, Chief Scientist for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), said this initiative will address this important public health issue. “Iodine is essential for the healthy function of the thyroid gland to help it produce hormones that regulate metabolism, including... ...Read more »

Australian bakers were reminded today that they need to replace the salt that they currently use in bread making with iodised salt by 9 October 2009. When launching the Australian User Guide for Mandatory Iodine Fortification today, Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s Chief Executive Officer, Steve McCutcheon, said that the baking industry needs to be aware of the changes that become mandatory next October. “Iodine is essential for good health and mild iodine deficiency has re-emerged... ...Read more »

The latest Australian Total Diet Study, conducted by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), confirms that many Australians are not getting enough iodine in their food.”Insufficient iodine intake, particularly in groups such as pregnant women, babies, and young children, is of great concern,” Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Senator Jan McLucas, said today. “Mild to moderate iodine deficiency can result in children having learning difficulties and can affect... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is seeking public comment on changes it is considering making to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). The first change is a proposal to amend the Code to require the mandatory fortification of bread with iodine in Australia. The second follows an application from Syngenta Seeds Pty Ltd for permission to sell and use food derived from a new genetically modified (GM) variety of corn. When we receive an application to change food... ...Read more »