The Binational Food Industry Dialogue (BFID) provides a forum for ongoing engagement between FSANZ and the food industry. It supports information sharing on common issues of interest, offers industry perspectives on standards development, enhances understanding of FSANZ processes, and facilitates collaboration on matters arising from significant food incidents. BFID membership includes major retailers, peak industry bodies, and several government agencies to provide updates and support conversations.
Member organisations
- Aldi
- Alternative Proteins Council
- Australian Beverages Council
- Australian Dairy Products Federation
- Australian Department of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries
- Australian Department of Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water
- Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Australian Food and Grocery Council
- Australian Industry Group
- Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST)
- Coles
- Croplife
- Dairy Australia
- Food and Beverages Importers Association
- Foodstuffs New Zealand
- Freshcare
- Implementation Subcommittee for Food Regulation
- Independent Food Distributors Australia
- Infant Nutrition Council
- Meat and Livestock Australia
- Metcash
- National Retail Association
- New Zealand Beverage Council
- New Zealand Food and Grocery Council
- New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries
- New Zealand Ministry of Health
- Restaurant and Catering industry Association
- Woolworths
* Each Peak Body may nominate rotating members to attend meetings as observers.
Committee Highlights
BFID11 - November
The Binational Food Industry Dialogue (BFID) met on 27 November, chaired by FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert. The BFID provides a forum for two-way engagement and information sharing between FSANZ and food industry representatives from Australia and New Zealand.
BFID11 marked the final meeting of 2025. Members agreed to publish the Committee Highlights online as a more dynamic summary following each meeting.
Updates
Members discussed key components of the FSANZ 2030 Roadmap, which sets out priorities for FSANZ’s future proposal work following endorsement at the Food Ministers’ Meeting in November. They also noted the FSANZ Annual Report, the latest Board Communique, the updated FSANZ Work Program Dashboard, upcoming consultations and progress on current projects.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry provided an update on the National Food Security Strategy and advised that the 2024 Imported food inspection data report will soon be published at Imported food data reports and surveys.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing reported that the FSANZ Act Review is progressing with decision makers and the Healthy Food Partnership will continue with a renewed focus on recruiting small to medium business in the reformulation program. BFID members also received updates from the Implementation Subcommittee on Food Regulation along with member contributions from the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology and Freshcare.
Discussion
The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries shared details on its digital labelling pilot and its current open consultation, while the Productivity Commission provided insights on the National Competition Policy. These updates complemented a presentation from the New Zealand Ministry of Regulation on its Product Labelling Review. Discussions contributed to a broader conversation on a principles-based framework for digital labelling addressing scope, differences from on-pack labels, and implementation challenges.
Members discussed the background and scope of Proposal P1066 - Review of young child formula, the Nutrition Information Panel Review, preparatory work on the potential to mandate the Health Star Rating system, the Application Handbook, and FSANZ’s guidance work on the definition for GM food and novel DNA.
Next meeting
Members agreed to undertake a deep dive on ultra-processed foods including exploration of current research, definitions, public health and consumer insights and international benchmarks. Proposed 2026 meeting dates were supported, with a face-to-face scheduled in Canberra on Thursday, 26 March.
FSANZ would like to sincerely thank all members for their ongoing support and engagement throughout 2025. We look forward to continuing our collaborative work in 2026.
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