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Call for comment on new enzymes for the production of an intense sweetener
Call for comment on new enzymes for the production of an intense sweetener Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to permit three new enzymes for the production of an intense sweetener. The application is seeking approval of three enzymes from a genetically modified (GM) strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) as processing aids for producing the steviol glycoside rebaudioside M (an intense sweetener) for use in foods. Our safety assessment found no potential public health or safety concerns with the use of the three enzymes derived from the GM strain of E. coli, which has a long history of safe use as an enzyme production organism. To have your say on this application, visit the…
Published 10 April 2025
Toxins in seafood
Toxins in seafood What are they?
- Toxins (poisons) can be present in some shellfish and fish
- These toxins are known as:
- amnesic shellfish toxin
- diarrhoetic shellfish toxin
- neurotoxic shellfish toxin
- paralytic shellfish toxin
- ciguatoxin and
- histamine
- The toxins come from algae that shellfish and fish feed on, or from bacteria naturally present in some fish
- These toxins can cause gastro or neurological illnesses called:
- amnesic, diarrhoetic, neurotoxic or paralytic shellfish poisoning
- ciguatera poisoning
- Scombroid or histamine poisoning
- Severe illness can result in coma,…
Published 23 December 2020
Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn
Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn Date: 3/08/2023 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow the sale and use of food made from a new genetically modified (GM) corn. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said corn line DP51291 was genetically modified for herbicide tolerance and protection from insect pests. “If approved, food made from this type of GM corn could be imported into Australia and New Zealand in the form of starch, grits, meal, flour, oil and sweetener," Dr Cuthbert said. The application is the second to be evaluated under a safety assessment sharing arrangement between FSANZ and Health Canada. “The collaboration involves the joint preparation and sharing of a single food safety assessment which is then used by each agency in making their own separate and independent…
Published 3 August 2023
FSANZ Board communique: 11 December 2024 meeting
FSANZ Board communique: 11 December 2024 meeting Overview The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Board met on 11 December 2024 to consider standards matters for decision, governance, organisational and performance matters and set aside time for strategic discussions. The FSANZ Board is the accountable authority for the agency. Matters for Decision notified to the Food Ministers' Meeting…
Published 19 December 2024
Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) linked to eggs
Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) linked to eggs State and territory food regulators, health authorities and agriculture departments in Australia are investigating a rare strain of Salmonella (Salmonella Enteritidis) associated with human illness and egg consumption. Public health officials investigate Salmonella outbreaks using a nationally standardised questionnaire, and coordinate epidemiological investigation through OzFoodNet. DNA Genetic fingerprinting is performed on Salmonella bacteria isolated from ill people by using whole genome sequencing (WGS), which gives a more detailed DNA fingerprint picture than any other typing method. WGS performed on bacteria isolated from ill people showed that they were closely related genetically. This means that ill…
Published 2 October 2025
Washing and sanitising produce
Washing and sanitising produce If you are a primary processor of leafy vegetables and melons, you must ensure washing and sanitising processes work properly and do not make the food unsafe to eat. What does washing and sanitisation mean?
- Washing fresh produce removes any visible material such as dirt.
- Sanitisation is an additional process that reduces microorganisms on the surface of produce to a safe level, usually with a chemical (e.g. food grade bleach). Sanitisation must only be done after washing, because dirt can make sanitisers less effective.
Published 1 October 2025
Aspartame
Aspartame Aspartame is an intense sweetener added to low-energy or sugar-free foods. It is used in foods including yoghurt, confectionery and carbonated beverages. The safety of aspartame has been comprehensively reviewed by FSANZ and other international organisations, including:
- Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization
- Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
- US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).
Published 4 May 2022
Call for comment on new source of human identical milk oligosaccharide in infant formula products
Call for comment on new source of human identical milk oligosaccharide in infant formula products Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit a new genetically modified source organism for the production of a human identical milk oligosaccharide used in infant formula products. 2′-fucosyllactose (2ʹ-FL) is a non-digestible carbohydrate that naturally occurs in human milk. It is used as a nutritive substance in infant formula products at levels consistent with those found in human milk. FSANZ's safety assessment concluded there were no public health and safety concerns associated with the applicant’s 2′-FL. The 2′-FL is chemically and structurally identical to the naturally occurring substance present in human milk and other 2′-FL…
Published 26 November 2024
Regulatory Science Network
Regulatory Science Network (August 2015) FSANZ is a member of the Australian Government Regulatory Science Network (RSN). Established in 2011, the RSN is a network of Australian government agencies responsible for regulating chemicals (including radio-isotopes), biological agents, foods and/or therapeutic goods. The mission of the RSN is to strengthen regulatory science across government agencies by:
- Providing a forum where regulatory and technical issues can be discussed, thereby enhancing interagency cooperation;
- Promoting a consistent approach to evidence-based decision-making across regulatory agencies;
- Providing cross-agency training and profession development opportunities for agency scientific staff
- Enhancing cross-agency…
Published 1 December 2015
Annexe with the Department of Agriculture on imported food
Annexe with the Department of Agriculture on imported food An arrangement for coordination of procedures and communication of imported food issues between - Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the Department of Agriculture