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2024 Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey: we value your feedback

2024 Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey: we value your feedback At Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), we value stakeholder feedback to help us improve our performance. The FSANZ 2024 Stakeholder Satisfaction Survey is your chance to tell us what we’re doing well and where we can improve. Click here to complete the survey Last year’s survey results showed high stakeholder satisfaction in areas including coordinating food recalls, providing clear food standards information and making evidence-based decisions, but also highlighted a desire for more information sharing and informal consultation opportunities. In response to 2023 feedback, we worked on improving FSANZ’s consultation approaches and…

Published 31 October 2024

Energy labelling on packaged alcohol approved

Energy labelling on packaged alcohol approved Energy labelling on packaged alcoholic beverages was approved to be mandated under a change to the Food Standards Code by the FSANZ Board. If agreed by food ministers, the new standard will require energy content information to be presented on alcohol labels in a prescribed format, known as an energy statement. The new requirements are designed to help consumers better manage their energy intake from alcohol and make informed choices in line with dietary guidelines. The energy statement includes information most valued by Australian and New Zealand consumers in controlled testing. FSANZ research found an energy statement including energy content per serving, energy content per 100 mL, number of servings per package and number of standard drinks per serving best enables consumer understanding of…

Published 9 April 2025

FSANZ strengthens role in global food standards development

FSANZ strengthens role in global food standards development Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) plays an important role in shaping global food standards, leading Australia’s participation in several key international committees within the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex). Established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Codex develops international food standards and codes of practice to protect consumer health, ensures fair food trade practices, and encourages coordination between governments and organisations. While the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) manages Australia’s engagement with Codex overall, FSANZ leads our work on a number of highly…

Published 31 October 2024

What we heard: Informing the future of nutrition labelling

What we heard: Informing the future of nutrition labelling Nutrition labelling is vital to supporting consumers to make informed food and dietary choices.  FSANZ is excited to be progressing work looking at front- and back-of-pack food labelling through parallel projects covering the Health Star Rating (HSR) system and the nutrition information panel (NIP).  We’ve started public consultation on both projects and recently published a report summarising stakeholder input and feedback from a combined call for information. A total of 74 submissions were received from a range of stakeholders. We appreciate the time and effort taken by submitters in preparing their submissions. Input provided will be considered in our review of the evidence for both projects. The HSR work will provide food ministers with information and…

Published 9 April 2025

FSANZ welcomes new Australian Board members

FSANZ welcomes new Australian Board members Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has welcomed two new Australian Board members, Professor Lauren Ball and Mr Craig Sahlin, who were officially appointed on 8 October for a four-year term. Professor Ball is the Director of the Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing at the University of Queensland. An accomplished academic, Professor Ball has been recognised with two prestigious National Health and Medical Research Council fellowships. Her expertise encompasses primary and community care, allied health, health promotion, wellbeing and health policy. Mr Sahlin brings 15 years of experience in food safety and regulation to the Board. As a lawyer and public policy professional, Craig led the establishment of the NSW Food Authority, Australia’s first paddock-to-plate food regulatory agency…

Published 8 November 2024

Festive season food safety

Festive season food safety The holiday season is a time to come together with family and friends around food. It’s also a time when food safety risks can rise. Whether you’re cooking for loved ones at home or running a food business during the festive rush, following safe food handling practices is essential to prevent foodborne illnesses. Here’s some key tips for everyone:

1. Storage is critical:
   • Keep perishable foods like seafood, meats, dairy and prepared salads refrigerated at 5°C or below. For businesses, ensure storage equipment is well-maintained and thermometers are used to monitor temperatures.
   • Avoid overloading fridges—air circulation is essential to keep food cool. Consider alternative storage options like ice chests for non-perishable drinks to free up space for high-risk foods.
2. Temperature matters:…

   Published 17 December 2024

FSANZ 2023-2024 Annual Report released

FSANZ 2023-2024 Annual Report released Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released its 2023-24 Annual Report, highlighting the agency's key achievements in maintaining the safety of the food supply across both countries.  FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert emphasised the year’s strong performance in standards setting.  “We delivered a 56% increase in productivity, completing 25 applications and 3 proposals that resulted in amendments to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, supporting food safety, public health and industry innovation,” Dr Cuthbert said. “This included several historic milestones, such as the world-first approval of a genetically modified banana and the…

Published 20 November 2024

Looking to the future of food safety

Looking to the future of food safety Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is staying ahead of changes in the rapidly evolving food sector.  FSANZ is guided by 3 strategic objectives, outlined in the Corporate Plan 2024-25.  The first objective - ‘Food you can trust’ – is about ensuring the food supply in Australia and New Zealand is safe, both now and into the future.  As part of its work to support a safe food supply, FSANZ proactively identifies and responds to emerging challenges and opportunities within the joint Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation System.  In 2021, we introduced a new emerging issues framework - Vigilance and Intelligence Before food issues Emerge, otherwise known as the VIBE - to identify, triage and respond to…

Published 21 January 2025

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

A message from our CEO

A message from our CEO Happy New Year from all of us at Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)! As we move into 2025, I look forward to continuing to work alongside my FSANZ colleagues, our dedicated Board and you - our valued stakeholders. Through collaboration and commitment, I am confident we will embrace new opportunities and address emerging challenges to deliver on our vision of World-leading standards, safe food for life.  FSANZ is dedicated to making food safer, empowering consumers to make informed, healthier choices, and enabling industry to produce safe, nutritious food while thriving in both local and global markets. Our priorities in 2025 include finalising energy labelling and claims on alcoholic beverages, updating definitions for gene technology and new breeding techniques, and completing reviews on egg food safety and caffeine. We will also…

Published 6 February 2025