Published
Collaborating internationally is increasingly important as the global food supply expands. FSANZ leads and supports international food safety and regulatory activities and is internationally recognised for high quality scientific work. Sharing expertise, information and intelligence is critical to our regulatory standard setting processes, ensuring they are modern and consistent with global best practice. This allows FSANZ to be well informed of current scientific data, assessment methodologies, best practices, emerging scientific issues and helps facilitate Australian Government broader policy objectives.
International engagement activities
FSANZ undertakes a broad range of international engagement, on behalf of FSANZ, on behalf of the Australian Government, and as individual experts. FSANZ engages with international food regulatory agencies, international standard setting bodies and other forums to collaborate, exchange information, establish international benchmark standards and explore opportunities for work-sharing. Key international engagement is highlighted below.
APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum
The APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum (FSCF) is a forum of food safety regulators which seeks to build robust food safety systems in the Asia-Pacific region.
The FSCF seeks to facilitate trade in food while protecting public health and safety. This is done by strengthening food safety systems in the APEC region that are consistent with the Agreements on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) of the World Trade Organization.
It was historically co-chaired by Australia (FSANZ) and China (General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) (since its establishment in April 2007). In 2023, terms of reference were adopted establishing the FSCF as a formal subsidiary body of the APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC). With the adoption of the terms of reference, the FSCF has one Chair and two vice-Chairs. The Chair is the current APEC host economy and the two vice-Chairs include the immediate past host economy and incoming host economy. At the request of the Chair, Australia (FSANZ) and China provide technical support to FSCF’s operation.
FSANZ, in collaboration with food safety regulatory authorities and food industry peak organisations of the APEC region, developed an APEC Food Safety Risk Communication Framework and Associated Guidelines (the Framework). This publication is available on our website.
During 2024-2025 FSANZ led an APEC project, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, facilitating use of the Food Safety Risk Communication Framework through two workshops. The Framework is based on international best practice in food safety risk communication. Increased use of the Framework will improve the capacity for food safety risk communication, promote consistency in food safety risk communication amongst APEC economies, support public trust in food safety and enhance opportunities for food trade.
For details on all upcoming APEC FSCF events visit the APEC website.
Codex Alimentarius Commission
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. FSANZ leads the Australian delegation to five technical Codex Committees:
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Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
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Codex Committee on Food Additives
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Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food
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Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses
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Codex Committee on Food Labelling.
FSANZ also contributes scientific and technical input into other Codex committees including the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues and specific commodity committees as required.
World Health Organization and the Food and Agricultural Organization
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 and the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR).
Science and Food Safety Dialogue
FSANZ received a grant from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to convene a multilateral food safety forum with science, food safety and risk assessment agencies of the Australian, New Zealand and Asian governments on behalf of the Australian Government.
FSANZ established the Science and Food Safety Dialogue (the Dialogue) to foster regulatory collaboration among food safety and risk assessment agencies of Australia, New Zealand and Asian countries in the region.
A successful inaugural meeting of the Dialogue was held in Singapore in April 2023. The Dialogue meets biannually (one virtual and one in person meeting per year). The Dialogue has identified linkages and common areas of interest, as well as developed science-based collaborative projects that support regulatory harmonisation and facilitate trade.
International Heads of Food Agencies Forum
The International Heads of Food Agencies Forum (IHFAF) was founded in 2020 by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, FSANZ and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The IHFAF is a gathering of heads of international food safety agencies with representation at the CEO/Executive Director level of key global regulatory agencies, along with FAO, WHO, and the Codex Secretariat.
The IHFAF meets annually. FSANZ hosted the third annual meeting in March 2022 under the theme new food sources and production systems. The meeting exchanged information, raised awareness and developed a strategic approach to addressing potential regulatory challenges that may emerge from new food sources and production systems.
Other networks
We collaborate and exchange information with other international regulatory agencies through international liaison groups on food chemical safety, microbiological food safety, regulatory economics, social science, risk assessment of chemicals in food and on emerging risks.
FSANZ also actively participates in international activities related to biotechnology and GM food safety assessment and regulation.