International engagement

The APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum is a forum of food safety regulators which seeks to build robust food safety systems in the Asia-Pacific region. It is co-chaired by Australia (FSANZ) and China. 

As part of this work, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) in collaboration with food safety regulatory authorities and food industry peak organizations of the APEC region has developed an APEC Food Safety Risk Communication Framework and Associated Guidelines after 2 years of intensive project work. This publication is available on our website.

The Codex Alimentarius Commission produces internationally recognised standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations relating to foods, food production and food safety. It aims to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in international food trade. As the Australian Government representative, FSANZ leads the Australian delegation to four technical Codex Committees:

• Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
  • Codex Committee on Food Additives
• Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food
• Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses
• Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance.

FSANZ also contributes scientific and technical input into several other Codex committees including; the Codex Committee on Food Labelling, the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues, and commodity committees including Fats and Oils and Fresh Fruit and Vegetables.

FSANZ supports the work of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) by participating in expert consultations and meetings, including the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives.

FSANZ is a member of the International Food Chemical Safety Liaison Group (IFCSLG) and the International Microbiological Food Safety Liaison Group (IMFSLG). These groups allow staff in agencies involved in the risk assessment, management and communication of food chemical safety/ microbial food safety to discuss and collaborate on issues. This process fosters understanding and agreement on issues and contributes to improved food safety.

Members of IFCSLG/ IMFSLG discuss and share information on:

• current research and data gathering efforts associated with selected chemicals/ pathogens in foods (this can also help members fill data gaps in their evidence base)
• risk assessment approaches, risk management options, and risk communication
• guidance for consumers and the food industry on the occurrence of chemicals/pathogens in food
• data generation activities, to avoid duplication of effort.

The microbiological and chemical liaison groups have representatives from:

• The United Kingdom Food Standards Agency
• Health Canadas Food Directorate (with participation from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as warranted)
• United States Food and Drug Administration; Center for Food Safety and Nutrition
• Food Safety Commission Japan
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand
• The European Food Safety Authority
• The European Commission (IFCSLG only)
• New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries
• French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety
• Food Safety Authority of Ireland (IMFSLG only).

IFCSLG and IMFSLG meet approximately 2-4 times per year. Some of the issues raised at recent meetings include arsenic, acrylamide, bisphenol A, endocrine disruptors and caffeine (IFCSLG), and Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods and foodborne viruses (norovirus, hepatitis A and E viruses) (IMFSLG). 

FSANZ is a member of the International Food Chemical Safety Liaison Group (IFCSLG) and the International Microbiological Food Safety Liaison Group (IMFSLG). These groups allow staff in agencies involved in the risk assessment, management and communication of food chemical safety/ microbial food safety to discuss and collaborate on issues. This process fosters understanding and agreement on issues and contributes to improved food safety.

Members of IFCSLG/ IMFSLG discuss and share information on:

• current research and data gathering efforts associated with selected chemicals/ pathogens in foods (this can also help members fill data gaps in their evidence base)
• risk assessment approaches, risk management options, and risk communication
• guidance for consumers and the food industry on the occurrence of chemicals/pathogens in food
• data generation activities, to avoid duplication of effort.

The microbiological and chemical liaison groups have representatives from:

• The United Kingdom Food Standards Agency
• Health Canadas Food Directorate (with participation from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as warranted)
• United States Food and Drug Administration; Center for Food Safety and Nutrition
• Food Safety Commission Japan
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand
• The European Food Safety Authority
• The European Commission (IFCSLG only)
• New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries
• French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety
• Food Safety Authority of Ireland (IMFSLG only).

IFCSLG and IMFSLG meet approximately 2-4 times per year. Some of the issues raised at recent meetings include arsenic, acrylamide, bisphenol A, endocrine disruptors and caffeine (IFCSLG), and Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods and foodborne viruses (norovirus, hepatitis A and E viruses) (IMFSLG).