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Strengthening food safety after a recall
Strengthening food safety after a recall Did you know food recalls can do more than just remove unsafe food from shelves? In response to conducting a recall of their product, most businesses take proactive steps to prevent food safety issues from recurring.As part of food recall reporting requirements, food businesses are required to identify corrective actions they have taken. Our food recall statistics show businesses take a range of corrective actions including staff training, amending handling procedures, updating product labels, altering ingredients, improving manufacturing practices and changing equipment. The majority of food business (90%) reported undertaking more than one corrective action. These efforts help reduce the likelihood of recalls happening…
Published 13 March 2025
Food Safety Week 2024: 'Look before you cook – reading food labels'
Food Safety Week 2024: 'Look before you cook – reading food labels' Do you ‘look before you cook’ your favourite foods? Consumers are being encouraged to check the food safety instructions on packaged foods before preparing meals as part of Australian Food Safety Week (9-16 November). Brought to you by our friends at the Food Safety Information Council (FSIC), Food Safety Week is an annual event promoting good food safety practices. This year’s theme, ‘Look before you cook,’ highlights the importance of checking food labels and following storage and cooking instructions to ensure food is handled in a way that prevents hazards like bacteria entering food and causing foodborne illness. Millions of Australians are affected by food poisoning each year. Taking simple precautions,…
Published 8 November 2024
Safeguarding food safety through surveillance and horizon scanning
Safeguarding food safety through surveillance and horizon scanning Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) continues to play a vital role in protecting the safety of the food supply through ongoing surveillance and monitoring activities. This year, FSANZ is leading the 28th Australia Total Diet Study (ATDS) – the most comprehensive survey of chemicals, nutrients and other substances in the Australian diet. Over 2,000 food samples are being collected nationwide and analysed for more than 600 chemicals including pesticides, antimicrobials, metals and mycotoxins. The data from the ATDS will strengthen food safety standards and help ensure that the Australian food supply remains safe. FSANZ also conducts targeted surveys. Examples include surveys on pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Australian foods, as well as metals…
Published 31 January 2025
New Food Standards Code compilation now available
New Food Standards Code compilation now available We are excited to announce the release of a new compilation of the Food Standards Code. This user-friendly PDF brings together all 80 Standards and 29 Schedules that currently make up the Code into a single, searchable document. Developed in response to stakeholder feedback, this convenient resource makes it easier than ever to navigate and use the Code. The document will be updated whenever a change is gazetted. Subscribers will then be notified through our Notification Circular email. Please note: This compilation is for reference purposes only. The authoritative version of the Code is located on the Federal Register of Legislation. Download now Page last updated: 17…
Published 6 February 2025
Australian food recall statistics
Australian food recall statistics FSANZ collects and reports annual and decadal data on Australian food recalls. The data presents the reasons for food recalls and the types of foods recalled, as well as detailed analysis of causes (e.g. allergens and contaminants) and corrective actions taken by food businesses. Our statistics help identify trends and common issues in food recalls, supporting effective management and prevention of future incidents. Foods recalled annually represent a very small proportion of total products available in the Australian food supply. Most recalls are taken as a precautionary measure by the food businesses to ensure potentially unsafe food is removed from distribution and sale. Only a small number of food recalls are linked to reported cases of illness or injury. …
Published 1 May 2025
FSANZ Board communique: 11-12 March 2025 Meeting
FSANZ Board communique: 11-12 March 2025 Meeting Overview The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Board met from 11-12 March 2025 to discuss and decide on standards matters, as well as governance, organisational, performance and strategic matters. The FSANZ Board is the accountable authority for the agency. Matters for Decision notified to the Food Ministers' Meeting Once notified, Food…
Published 14 March 2025
Plain English Allergen Labelling: One year of clearer, safer food labels
Plain English Allergen Labelling: One year of clearer, safer food labels This time last year Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL) requirements became mandatory across Australia and New Zealand. These changes, developed under Proposal P1044, transformed how allergens are declared on food labels, making them easier to identify and understand for millions of consumers. FSANZ approved the new requirements in 2021 after extensive consultation and evidence gathering. The goal was to clearly declare allergens using simple, consistent terms in a standardised format. Businesses had three years to transition and since 25 February 2024, food labels have had to comply with the PEAL requirements. Thousands…
Published 5 March 2025
Advisory Committee Novel Foods
Advisory Committee Novel Foods Terms of Reference
- Consider enquiries in relation to potential novel foods (in conjunction with the required data), including previously considered enquiries in relation to potential novel foods where new data has been submitted.
- Make recommendations to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) General Manager - Food Standards (Wellington) in response to enquiries in relation to potential novel foods. The recommendations should contain the following advice:
Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) in spinach products
Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) in spinach products A number of food retailers recalled spinach and mixed salad products from stores in multiple states following detection of shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) in 2 spinach products in March. The recalls were conducted by Aldi, Woolworths, Metcash and Coles for multiple products with use-by dates ranging from 26 March to 9 April 2025. STEC was detected in 2 pre-packaged, ready-to-eat spinach products purchased from separate Queensland supermarkets as part of proactive public health surveillance conducted over several days. Retailers elected to undertake and extend the recalls in response to the detections as a precaution to protect public health. Public health and food authorities continue to…
Published 17 April 2025
Notification Circular - 345-25
Notification Circular - 345-25 This Notification Circular includes notices that are required to be given to the public, submitters and appropriate government agencies, under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (FSANZ Act). For information about progress on all current applications and proposals, including anticipated consultation opportunities, see the FSANZ Food Standards Work Plan. Previous Notification Circulars and Gazettes are available on the FSANZ website. Gazette…
Published 18 June 2025