Food safety and quality legislation

1. Food safety and quality legislation Chapter 8

2. FSANZ • The federal government have a responsibility in ensuring Australian’s have a safe food supply. The Government body responsible for this is FSANZ. (Food standards Australia New Zealand)

3. FSANZ • Develop standards for food manufacturing, labelling, processing and primary production. • Providing information to consumers to improve choice. • Coordinate national food surveillance, enforcement and recall. (control imported foods) • Conduct research • Undertake dietary exposure modelling and scientific risk assessment. • Provide risk assessment advice on imported foods.

4. Food standards code objectives….. • To protect public health and safety • To provide adequate information to consumers. • To prevent misleading and deceptive conduct.

5. Food standards code • Compulsory listing of ingredients and additives. • Compulsory listing of carbohydrate, proteins and fats percentage.

6. FSANZ • Sets the standard food codes but it is up to individual states and territories to enforce and prosecute those that don’t mean it.

7. Food standards code • Set the standards that must be met in order for a food to be sold. General standards for food: Description of food Composition (what makes up the food) Nutrient value Permitted microorganism levels Ways to measure quantitative quality of food Additional labeling requirements.

8. Food labelling • Food standards code has very specific regulations when labellingincluding what must be included and what can not be advertised.

9. Food labels • What must be included: • Name or description of food • Name and address of manufacturer • Mandatory allergy warning and advice information • Ingredient list • Net weight • Nutritional information panel • Use by or best before date • Country of origin • Lot number • Percentage labelling • Food additives

10. Nutrient and health claims on food labels. • Nutrient claims are allowed but regulations prohibit health claims. • Example allowed: this product contains calcium that is good for strong bones. • Example not allowed: this product will make your bones strong. • Products that advertise specific nutrients must meet a quantity set.

11. Criteria is also set for producers labelling food items as ‘light” or “lite” or “fat free”. • Beware of how they use marketing to appeal to consumers. For example “Light” olive oil refers to the colour and not the fat content. • “fat free” food items are regularly high in sugar.

12. Health claims: A direct connection between consuming a food product or nutrient found in a food product and the decreased risk of a specific disease. • Nutrient claim: A statement that sets out in general terms the nutritional consequences for good health of the intake of the nutrient. • Currently the only health claim permitted is the benefit of folate before and during pregnancy.