Monitoring the safety of our food supply

One way we monitor the safety of the food supply is through the Implementation Subcommittee for Food Regulation (ISFR). ISFR comprises representatives from food regulation agencies and departments in Australia and New Zealand. 

We also collect the following food surveillance data, including the results of general compliance testing and targeted surveys conducted in jurisdictions from public health units across Australia and New Zealand. 

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  View the ISFR Coordinated Food Survey Plan 2024-2026

We monitor potential emerging food safety risks, described as emerging issues, as well as ongoing food safety issues.

View the latest FSANZ Annual Report for emerging and ongoing issues.

Another way FSANZ monitors Australia’s food supply is through the Australian Total Diet Study (ATDS).

The ATDS, formerly known as the Australian Market Basket Survey (AMBS), looks at consumers’ dietary exposure to a range of pesticide residues, contaminants and other substances found in food. New Zealand undertakes a similar survey known as the New Zealand Total Diet Study. 

FSANZ may undertake surveys as part of our work on the Code, for example when we develop food additive standards or in response to emerging issues and national food incidents.

These might be food or consumer behaviour surveys. They are undertaken as required and as resources permit.

• Patulin​​ (September 2023)
• Antimicrobial resistance surveillance in retail food​ (July 2021)
• Analytical survey of mineral oil hydrocarbons in food and food packaging (August 2018)
• Survey of Plasticisers in Australian Foods (March 2018)
• Assessment of Trans Fatty Acids in Imported Oils (2017)
• Survey of scheduled pharmaceuticals in foods intended to promote weight loss (April 2016)
• Survey of trans fatty acid content of Australian and New Zealand foods (2015)
• Survey of tinned fruits for tin, lead and arsenic (December 2015)
• Report on survey of arsenic in apple and pear juice (April 2014)
• Combined survey and risk assessment for cyanogenic glycosides (April 2014)
• Survey of inorganic arsenic in seaweed and seaweed-containing products available in Australia (2013)
• Supplementary report to the 2008 Survey of added colours (June 2012)
• Sulphites survey (2012)
• Microbiological surveillance of raw egg products (2012)
• Survey of nitrates and nitrites (November 2011)
• FSANZ Survey of Chemical Migration from Food Contact Packaging Materials in Australian Food (2010)
• Survey of GM ingredients in soy-based infant formula (February 2011)
• FSANZ Survey of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in Food Available in Australia (June 2010)
• Survey of chemical contaminants and residues in espresso, instant and ground coffee (2010)
• FSANZ survey and activities on bisphenol A (November 2010)
• Baseline survey on the prevalence and concentration of Salmonella and Campylobacter in chicken meat on-farm and at primary processing (2010)
• FSANZ survey and activities on bisphenol A (2010)
• National Coordinated Survey of Melamine in Food and Beverages (2008)
• Survey of added colours in Australian foods (2008)
• Ethyl carbamate in Australian foods (2007)
• FSANZ study of brominated flame retardants in food (2007)
• Microbiological survey of fresh horticultural produce in Australia (2007)
• Survey of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) (2004)

International Food Risk Analysis Journal

FSANZ is the co-editor of the International Food Risk Analysis Journal, targeted towards food safety and nutrition regulators, public health officials, and food industry experts.

An important piece of work published in this journal and authored by past and present FSANZ staff is:

• Folic Acid, Selected Cancers and All-Cause Mortality: A Meta-Analysis. International Food Risk Analysis Journal.

Risk assessments, safety assessments and associated documents are linked below:

Trans fatty acids

• Systematic Review of the evidence for a relationship between trans-fatty acids and blood cholesterol
• Narrative review - The relationship between dietary trans-fatty acids and adverse health outcomes

Primary production and processing standards for meat and meat products

• A chemical risk profile of meat and meat products

Hydrocyanic acid in apricot kernels and other foods

• Combined survey and risk assessment for cyanogenic glycosides

Conjugated linoleic acid triglycerides as a novel food

• Consideration of the effect of a 1:1 isomer mix of conjugated linoleic acid on HDL- and LDL-cholesterol levels 
• Effects of conjugated linoleic acid on body weight and body composition
• Effect of conjugated linoleic acid on glucose homeostasis 

Hemp

• Low THC hemp as a food: safety assessment 

Antibiotic use in New Zealand apples

• FSANZ risk assessment on antibiotic use in New Zealand apples

FSANZ monitors scientific literature and other information on food issues. Links to some of our responses to studies are below.

• Feeding studies and GM corn MON863
• Response to S ralini paper on the long term toxicity of a Roundup herbicide and a Roundup-tolerant genetically modified maize
• Response to a feeding study in pigs by Carman et al

Technical reports

• Nutritional impact of phytosanitary irradiation of fruits and vegetables
• Agents of foodborne illness
• Trans fatty acids reports from 2007 and 2009
• Mercury in fish background to the mercury in fish advisory statement
• Technical report series - scientific reports, based on the available scientific data, and relate to the issues of the safety of food additives, food contaminants, novel foods and foods produced using gene technology.

Other Australian food regulatory agencies undertake regular monitoring activities that may inform FSANZ’s standards setting process.

For example, the Department of Agriculture conducts the National Residue Survey (NRS). In this survey, food for export is tested for residues of agriculture and veterinary chemicals and environmental contaminants.

The Department also administers the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS). The IFIS monitors food imported into Australia to ensure it meets Australian requirements for public health and safety and is compliant with the Code. Read more about the Imported Food Inspection Scheme on the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website.

Occasionally, state and territory governments undertake targeted surveys of food to ensure it is safe and complies with food standards.