Introducing a tax on saturated fat in foods is “regressive” and is not the way to reduce obesity levels in Australia, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) warned today. Yesterday, Australian Food News reported on Denmark being the first country in the world to introduce a tax on processed food products high in saturated fats. In a statement released today, the AFGC said food taxes in Australia are “regressive” as they penalise people who are least able to afford it. AFGC Chief Executive... ...Read more »

New food safety legislation which requires restaurants, cafes, pubs and clubs to have a Food Safety Supervisor has been rolled out across the State of New South Wales. Food Safety Supervisors are required to be trained to prevent hazards associated with handling and preparing food. Any retail food business in New South Wales that does not appoint a Food Safety Supervisor will be subject to fines. Commenting on the new law, Federal Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson said, “Incorrect... ...Read more »

The State of Western Australia’s Commissioner for Children and Young People (WACCYP), Michelle Scott, has called for public debate on raising the legal drinking age in Western Australia to 21. Alcohol abuse by young people is the focus of a report, ‘Speaking Out About Reducing Alcohol-Related Harm on Children and Young People’, released today by the WACCYP’s office. The report is based on a consultation Ms Scott commissioned in June this year involving almost 300 young people aged 14 to 17... ...Read more »

Food businesses in New South Wales have been told to clean up their act after a large number of penalty notices were issued to those failing to maintain adequate hand-washing facilities. Over the past 12 months, there have been about 170 offences related to handwashing listed on New South Wales Food Authority’s ‘Name and Shame’ register. Federal Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson said, “Hand-washing is at the very foundation of correct and safe food handling. Just this... ...Read more »

Tighter regulation of food vending machines in Victoria has angered some operators, who say recent changes in government legislation will do little to solve the problem of illegitimate operators. From 1 July 2011, changes to the Food Act have been implemented in Victoria. These changes have created additional legal responsibility and food business registration requirements in relation to food vending machines. As well as being required to register food vending machines with their principal council... ...Read more »

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) is revising labelling requirements for agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals. Under new legislation, agvet labels must continue to provide information that identifies the product, how it is to be used, stored and disposed, and what to do in case of poisoning, as well as other information. The size, type and format of agvet labels is now governed by the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Regulations 1995. The new... ...Read more »

The passing of a Senate motion to establish a Select Committee on Australia’s food manufacturing sector has been welcomed by the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) yesterday. The motion – moved by Tasmanian Senator Richard Colebeck, who consulted with industry about its content – was passed in the Senate 34 to 32 votes.  The committee is expected to investigate the competitiveness and future viability of Australia’s food processing sector as well assess constraints in the current... ...Read more »

SA Health Minister John Hill has announced moves to require all major fast food retailers in South Australia to display kilojoule information on their menu boards, websites, leaflets and menus. The new regulations (under the Food Act 2001) would require food chains with 20 or more stores in SA, or 50 or more stores nationally, to state the kilojoule content of each item clearly and legibly alongside the price of the product, as well as prominently featuring the average adult daily energy intake of... ...Read more »

The Baillieu Government is delivering on its election commitment to enable all Victorian businesses to trade on Easter Sunday.Innovation, Services and Small Business Minister Louise Asher said all businesses will now be able to take advantage of high tourist numbers during the busy Easter period, especially businesses in regional areas. The Shop Trading Reform Amendment (Easter Sunday) Bill 2011 to be introduced to Parliament today will remove trading restrictions that prohibit some shops, but not... ...Read more »

An independent panel led by former federal Health Minister Neal Blewett delivered the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy 2011 to the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing Catherine King on Friday. Dr Alan Barclay, an accredited practicing dietitian and nutritionist, chief scientific officer for the Glycemic Index Foundation Ltd and head of research at the Australian Diabetes Foundation said that the recommendations are “a mixed bag”. Dr Barclay agreed with the reiteration... ...Read more »