July, 2009

Food from Cloned Animals

July 30, 2009

In June the Agriculture Ministers of the members of the European Union agreed to the draft rule to include food from cloned animals in the proposed legislation for Novel Foods. The draft legislation will require that all assessment and approval for Novel Foods, including any food from cloned animals, for any member country will need …

Agreement between NZ and UK

July 28, 2009

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has a formal agreement with Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to allow co-operation, and sharing of information and resources in common areas. NZFSA has recently signed a similar agreement with the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency (UKFSA). This will give these two nations a similar close relationship …

Carbon Reduction Labels

July 24, 2009

Environmental impact is becoming more significant to all of us, including food businesses. Issues such as the efficient use of water and electricity are no longer simply about saving money but also about reducing our business’s impact on the environment. In some cases these reductions are also legal requirements, for example; the requirement for Water …

Codex Alimentarius

July 22, 2009

The Codex Alimentarius is the internationally recognised set of food standards and guidelines. All food law in all countries is developed based on these requirements, as well as the specific needs of each country. In the last month, the Codex Alimentarius Commission has released several new food standards. The Commission does much scientific and consumer …

Do you have the Product of the Year

July 20, 2009

For the third year, the Product of the Year Awards for 2010 has been launched. Australia has once again joined the global franchise that has consumers in 28 countries choose the best new product launches every year for their country. Winners for 2009 included the following; • Breakfast: Uncle Tobys Oat Crisp Cereal • Meal …

Vegetarians

July 16, 2009

National Vegetarian Week is from September 28 to October 4. This year Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) and the week’s organisers will be releasing the results of a national survey to find out if menu options are becoming more diverse to reflect the shift in customer tastes. They will also be releasing resource kits to …

Colours banned

July 14, 2009

The so called Southampton Six food colours are sunset yellow (E110), tartrazine (E102), carmoisine (E122), ponceau 4R (E124), quinoline yellow (E104), and allura red (E129). In a study published in The Lancet in 2007, they were used in mixtures that were linked to hyperactivity in children. After a campaign by consumer groups, Aldi has become …

Nitrites – good or bad?

July 10, 2009

Food Additives are chemicals or materials that manufacturers and producers add to foods and drinks to improve at least one characteristic of those foods and drinks. The only additives permitted to be added to foods and drinks in Australia are shown in Chapter One of the Food Standards Code. There are different types of additives, …