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Sulphites survey 2012

Sulphites survey 2012 (Updated April 2012) FSANZ, together with state and territory agencies, has conducted a national coordinated food survey on the levels of sulphites in sausages, cordials and dried fruit. The survey builds on previous surveys of sulphite levels in food and is contributing to the work FSANZ is undertaking on Proposal 298, which is examining the use of sulphites and benzoates. Food for this survey was analysed in its prepared state i.e. as it would normally be eaten. The key results of the survey are:

• most sulphite levels detected in sausages, cordial, dried apple and sultanas were well below the maximum permitted levels (MPLs) in the Food Standards Code
• on average, cooked beef sausages had higher levels of sulphites than pork, lamb and…

  Published 22 March 2013

Supplementary food colours report

Supplementary food colours report (June 2012) Following the publication in 2008 of the Survey of added colours in foods available in Australia Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has received new information which has allowed FSANZ to update the estimated dietary exposure of children to added colours. This new information includes:

• updated food consumption data from the 2007 Australian Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey
• revised Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) from the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) for Quinoline Yellow and Sunset Yellow FCF and
• typical use level data from the confectionery industry on the typical usage levels of five…

  Published 28 February 2014

Survey of added colours (2008)

Survey of added colours (2008) (2008) Synthetic and natural colours are routinely added to food and beverages as a visual cue for quality, to induce the perception of flavour and to meet consumer expectations. In 2006, FSANZ commissioned an analytical survey to quantify actual levels of all permitted synthetic colours and two natural colours in foods and beverages in Australia. This was necessary to accurately estimate dietary exposure and assess the potential risk to human health for Australians. This survey was undertaken as part of the surveillance program in 2006. The survey targeted a wide range of foods and beverages that contained added colours in accordance with Standard 1.3.1 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). The foods and beverages included…

Published 22 March 2013

Survey of Alcohol Content and Labelling of Fermented Soft Drinks

Survey of Alcohol Content and Labelling of Fermented Soft Drinks Introduction The Implementation Sub-committee for Food Regulation (ISFR) nationally coordinated survey of Alcohol Content and Labelling of Fermented Soft Drinks investigated whether:

• businesses are adequately controlling alcohol production in their fermented soft drinks, and
• labelling of alcohol content of fermented soft drinks complies with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code).

Published 23 August 2019

Survey of beverages enriched with seaweed

Survey of beverages enriched with seaweed FSANZ has investigated levels of iodine in beverages enriched with seaweed following an increased number of reported human thyroid dysfunction cases resulting from high iodine intake. Investigation into the cause of thyroid dysfunction showed a link to the consumption of Bonsoy soy beverage, which was found to contain high iodine levels resulting from the addition of seaweed (kombu, Laminaria spp ) during the manufacturing process. On 24 December 2009, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) coordinated a national food recall and issued a media release advising people not to consume Bonsoy soy beverage with all best before dates. This product was also recalled in the UK, Ireland, Singapore and Hong Kong. FSANZ, in consultation…

Published 28 February 2014

Survey of chemical contaminants and residues in espresso, instant and ground coffee

Survey of chemical contaminants and residues in espresso, instant and ground coffee In Australia, existing data on chemical contaminants and residues in coffee is limited. In order to gather more data, FSANZ undertook a survey of chemical contaminants and residues in a variety of coffee types available in Australia. The survey looked for 133 chemical contaminants, including metals (e.g. aluminium and zinc), pesticide residues, ochratoxin A, acrylamide, furan and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A total of 164 samples of coffee available from food service and retail outlets in Melbourne and Sydney, were analysed in a total of 41 composite samples of coffee. The coffee types included were: cappuccino, latte, flat white, long black, short black, mocha, instant and ground…

Published 22 March 2013

Survey of chemical migration from food contact packaging materials in Australian food

Survey of chemical migration from food contact packaging materials in Australian food Food packaging is vital for ensuring foods are not contaminated, providing physical protection and extending the shelf life of foods. Packaging materials are becoming increasingly complex in their design and composition. As such, the safety of materials is being considered by regulators around the world. FSANZ is aware of a number of reports about chemicals in food contact packaging that might migrate into the food or liquid inside a package. To assess whether the levels of packaging chemicals in Australian foods and beverages present any health and safety risks, FSANZ undertook a survey of a range of chemicals associated with packaging materials. A total of 65 foods and beverages…

Published 22 March 2013

Survey of GM in Soy-based Infant Formula

Survey of GM in Soy-based Infant Formula In September 2010, several media reports , including reports on testing undertaken by Greenpeace, suggested that genetically modified (GM) ingredients had been found in soy-based infant formula that were not labelled as containing GM components. In response, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) conducted a small survey of a soy-based infant formula for GM ingredients, recognising the consumer sensitivities associated with infants and infant formula. Six samples of a major brand of soy-based infant formula with different batch codes and use-by dates were purchased from a number of supermarkets. Each sample was analysed using a similar testing methodology by two independent accredited laboratories for GM DNA commonly used in GM…

Published 22 March 2013

Survey of inorganic arsenic in seaweed and seaweed-containing products available in Australia

Survey of inorganic arsenic in seaweed and seaweed-containing products available in Australia (January 2013) Executive summary Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) conducted a small survey investigating levels of inorganic arsenic in dried seaweed and products containing seaweed available in Australia. This survey was conducted as part of the FSANZ surveillance and monitoring program in 2010 with the intention of reviewing our consumer advice released in 2004. In November 2004, FSANZ issued a media release advising Australian consumers to avoid hijiki seaweed as it may contain high levels of naturally occurring inorganic arsenic. The levels of inorganic arsenic in various seaweed types tested were all below the maximum level (ML) for seaweed of 1 mg/kg in the…

Published 28 February 2014

Survey of low-THC hemp seed foods

Survey of low-THC hemp seed foods Introduction The Implementation Sub-committee for Food Regulation (ISFR) bi-nationally coordinated survey was carried out to investigate whether:

• The low-THC hemp food products sold in Australia and New Zealand complies with the requirement in the Food Standards Code (the Code) in term of the level of THC and CBD present in the products, and
• Labelling of the products complies with the Code. 

Published 4 April 2023