Global standard for mandatory nutrition labelling proposed
06 June, 2012The Codex Food Labelling Committee, a United Nations subsidiary, has proposed a global standard for mandatory nutrition labelling for adoption by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in Rome this July.
Forum supports front-of-pack labelling system
04 June, 2012Ministers responsible for the regulation of food in Australia and New Zealand met in Canberra recently to consider the progress of issues such as a revised health claims standard and front-of-pack labelling.
NZ MPI calls for submissions on folic acid fortification of breads
25 May, 2012New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is calling for submissions on the standard on fortifying bread with folic acid in New Zealand. The MPI has released a discussion paper outlining four options for the future of the standard, from mandatory fortification of most breads from September this year through to providing for voluntary fortification indefinitely.
Olive oil producer pays penalty for mislabelled olive oil
24 May, 2012A South Australian olive oil company has paid $13,200 for two infringement notices for attempting to pass off low-quality olive oil as ‘extra virgin’.
Greens draft a container deposit scheme Bill for NSW
23 May, 2012New South Wales could soon become the seventh state or territory to have a container deposit scheme (CDS) if a Greens Bill is passed.
FSANZ announces decision on country-of-origin labelling for unpackaged meat
04 May, 2012Unpackaged beef, sheep and chicken meat could soon be required to have country of origin labelling. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved a proposal to extend country of origin labelling to some unpackaged meats.
NZ study shows support for food labelling
26 April, 2012Front-of-pack (FOP) food labelling is a hot topic in New Zealand at the moment, with new research from the University of Otago and University of Auckland showing that industry, policy-makers and NGOs think food labelling should be improved.
APC: Alcopop tax on cider will curb alcohol-related harm
24 April, 2012The Alcohol Policy Coalition (APC) has urged the government to reform alcohol taxation in this year’s Federal Budget. The APC claims that increasing taxes on alcohol will reduce overall alcohol consumption and thus alcohol-related illness and injury. The group said that cider and cheap wine should be taxed in the same way as alcopops.
Colorpak workers may take industrial action over sick leave
20 April, 2012Carton finishers at a Melbourne packaging company could soon begin protected industrial action to defend sick leave entitlements, according to the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union.
Biosecurity changes to coffee imports and abalone exports
19 April, 2012The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has announced changes to coffee imports and abalone exports. Coffee importers who have an exemplary record of quarantine compliance will have a reduced rate of inspection, while abalone divers who shuck their products at sea for export will no longer need to pay registration and associated fees.
Proposal will create a loophole for manufacturers, claims Choice
13 April, 2012Consumer watchdog Choice has made a submission to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) regarding its proposed Nutrition, Health & Related Claims (P293) draft, claiming that the proposed changes will “create a loophole and potentially increase customer confusion”.
Proposed nutrition standard will stifle food industry, claims AFGC
11 April, 2012Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ’s) proposed Nutrition, Health & Related Claims (P293) draft standard will threaten the food industry’s future viability, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has claimed.
Code could be altered to address nutritive substance and novel food regulation
30 March, 2012Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released a consultation paper on a proposed approach that could see changes to the way nutritive substances and novel foods are regulated.
FSANZ calls for submissions on minor meat species proposal
28 March, 2012Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions on a proposal relating to minor meat species and wild game. The proposal looks at possible food safety measures for producers and processors of animals such as kangaroo, crocodile, rabbit, ostrich and emu.
Dairy farmers vote for 10% levy increase
23 March, 2012Australian dairy farmers have voted to lift the Dairy Service Levy rate by 10%.
