Call for comment on the 12 month review of the kava food standard

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on the 12 month review of the kava standard. 

In March 2022, the FSANZ Board approved a variation to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) after considering an urgent proposal to clarify the existing permission for kava.  

Under the urgent proposal provisions, FSANZ has assessed the resulting variation and is calling for submissions to help decide whether to reaffirm the variation or prepare a proposal to amend or repeal the variation.  

The purpose of the review is to ensure provisions for kava in the Code continue to protect public health and safety after Australia lifted the ban on commercial importation of kava from 1 December 2021.¯ 

The period for comment closes at 6pm (Canberra time) on 16 November 2022. 

We will publish all submissions to our website as soon as possible at the end of the public comment period.  

All feedback will be considered by FSANZ before making a decision on whether to approve the application/proposal. 

Our decision will be notified to ministers responsible for food regulation who can ask for a review or agree to include the amendment in the Code.