1. Authorities

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Bakery Products
Australia

This section provides an overview of the Authorities involved in setting regulations and managing compliance with the food product in scope.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) [1] develops the shared food standards for Australia and New Zealand. The standards together make up the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (FSC) [2]. FSANZ is an independent statutory authority within the Australian Government's Health portfolio. The joint FSC is enabled by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 [3] and is adopted in New Zealand under the Food Act 2014 (New Zealand) [4].

FSANZ develops specific standards that regulate the composition of some foods (e.g., beverages, special purpose foods, cereal products, and dairy products), and general standards such as those for the use of ingredients (including processing aids, food additives, vitamins, and minerals), and the use of genetically modified ingredients and novel foods. The FSC also covers various other aspects including labeling, allergen warnings, contaminants, and microbiological limits.

FSANZ maintains the FSC, considering overarching food policy set by food ministers within Australia and New Zealand (the Food Ministers’ Meeting, refer below). Within Australia, the FSC is enforced by state and territory departments and local councils [5]. Food imported into Australia is managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) [6].

The Food Ministers’ Meeting (FMM)

This body [7 and 8] is responsible for developing food regulation policy, promoting harmonized food standards between Australia and New Zealand, and ensuring consistency in compliance and enforcement across the various jurisdictions in both countries. The Food Ministers' Meeting membership is designed to reflect a whole-of-food chain approach to food regulation and includes the New Zealand Food Minister, the Australian state and territory Food Ministers, and various Health, Primary Industries, Consumer Affairs, and local government association members as required. The Food Regulation Secretariat [9] provides secretariat services to the Food Minister’s Meeting and its various sub-committees. This includes maintaining the website [9] summarising the activities of the FMM and also coordinating the activities and communication between FSANZ and the FMM and its sub-committees.

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)

The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF) [6] manages the parts of the Biosecurity Act 2015 [10] relating to imported goods (including food products), conveyances, and shipping containers [11]. DAFF is the new name for DAWE (Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment) and the old department name still appears on some documents and websites. DAFF also administers the Imported Food Control Act 1992 [12], which is designed to ensure the compliance of food imported into Australia in accordance with relevant national food standards and public health and safety requirements. More information on these activities is provided under Section 7 of this guidebook on "Importation Requirements".

Australian Border Force (ABF)

The Australian Border Force is part of the Department of Home Affairs and is responsible for onshore and offshore border enforcement, compliance operations, and customs services [13]. Part of the ABF provides Customs services, including overseeing fees and charges for imports. Importation activities are also supported by staff from the Australian Federal Police.

1.1 References

1. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) homepage

https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx

2. Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (FSC). Individual standards are available from the landing page

https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/code/Pages/default.aspx

3. Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991

https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2018C00243/Download

4. Food Act 2014 (New Zealand)

https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2014/0032/latest/whole.html#DLM2995811

5. A list of Australian state and territory authorities responsible for enforcing the FSC is available here

https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/about/foodenforcementcontacts/Pages/default.aspx

6. Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) homepage