FSANZ Board communique: 18 September 2024 meeting

Published

Overview

The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Board met on 18 September 2024 to consider standards matters for decision, governance, organisational and performance matters, and strategic priorities.  

The FSANZ Board is the accountable authority for the agency.

Matters for decision  

P290 – Food safety programs for catering operations to the general public

The Board agreed to reject the draft variation and abandon Proposal P290 - Food safety programs for catering operations to the general public. The Board noted that this was a procedural item of business as the proposal was superseded by Proposal P1053 - Food Safety Management Tools which came into legislative effect in December 2023 following a 12-month implementation period.

Strategic discussions  

FSANZ Act Review

The Board noted an update provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care on the proposed FSANZ Act reform concepts presented to Food Ministers’ Meeting in July. The concepts have been developed under 4 themes:

  • purpose and objectives of FSANZ
  • reforming standard-setting
  • efficient and effective operations
  • improving system agility.  

The Board expressed a desire to see the reform work completed and and noted the need for the agency to be appropriately resourced to undertake new activities.  

A1269 – Cultured Quail as a novel food

The Board was presented with an update on Application A1269 - Cultured quail as a novel food ahead of the release of the second call for submissions.  

The Board noted the assessment to date had not identified any safety issues and management options around incorporation into the Food Standards Code were being developed.

The Board noted the second call for submissions is anticipated to be published soon.

P1060 – Egg food safety and primary production proposal

The Board noted an update on work to progress Proposal P1060 - Egg food safety and primary production. The update noted the microbiological risk assessment and social science literature review have been completed. Cost benefit analysis work to evaluate impacts of proposed changes to Standard 4.2.5 is progressing.

The Board noted the first and only call for submissions would occur in late 2024.  

AMR survey – initial findings

The Board received an update on initial survey findings of FSANZ’s Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) survey.  

The Board noted the data was still being analysed with a report anticipated for public release in late 2024.  

Governance, risk and performance

The Board considered a range of governance, risk and performance matters presented by the Finance and Risk Management Committee and People and Culture Committee chairs.  

Board members also participated in a whole of Board strategic risk workshop.  

Ministerial discussion

The Board welcomed the New Zealand Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety, and Associate Minister of Agriculture and for the Environment, the Hon Andrew Hoggard for a strategic discussion. The Minister reiterated the importance of the joint food system and provided key insights into New Zealand Government priorities for ongoing collaboration.  

Other matters

The Board welcomed two new members, Dr Meika Foster and Professor Lisa Houghton.  

The Board welcomed the report on the work of Implementation Subcommittee for Food Regulation (ISFR) from Chair, Dr Eva Bennet.