Notice Type
General Notices
Folate Health Claims The Australia New Zealand Food Authority invites companies and industry associations to participate in a health claims pilot project to test the use of a health claim and its associated management framework. The pilot will involve the use of a health claim that makes the link between increased maternal folate consumption and a reduction in the incidence of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. In New Zealand it is anticipated that approved products will be available for public sale in late 1998, the exact date will depend upon necessary changes to legislation being enacted. The conditions for participating as a food industry partner in the pilot and the application form to participate are contained in an application package available from the authority. Applications for products to use an approved folate health claim should be received by the authority no later than 9 September 1998. Later applications will be processed in a 3-monthly rolling programme. To obtain a copy of the application package please contact the information officer at the authority (details below). Further information about the health claims pilot should be directed to Dr Hugh Baber on Telephone: (04) 474 0632. In order for the authority to meet its statutory obligations it is anticipated that the first list of approved products will be advertised on 23 September 1998 for a 5-day period of public comment. The authority will then make a recommendation to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council regarding approval and registration of products. Food Standards The authority advises progress on the following matters relating to Food Standards. You can get further information on these matters in information papers which are available from: The Officer Administrator Australia New Zealand Food Authority P.O. Box 10-559 The Terrace WELLINGTON 6036 NEW ZEALAND Telephone: (04) 473 9942 Facsimile: (04) 473 9855 Email: anzfa.nzanzfa.gov.au Matters at Full Assessment The authority has prepared the following proposals and will now make full assessments of them: Cereals and Cereal Products (P180). A proposal to review the current provisions for cereals and cereal products in order to develop a joint Australia New Zealand standard. Fruit Juices and Vegetable Juices (P182). A proposal to review the regulations in Australia and New Zealand for fruit juices and vegetable juices in order to develop a joint Australia New Zealand standard. You are invited to present written submissions to the authority on matters relevant to these proposals, including the potential regulatory impact on consumers, industry and government, by 30 September 1998. The information papers on these matters provide further information, including advice on the authority's policy regarding submissions. Matters at Inquiry The authority will conduct inquiries into the draft standards or variations to standards prepared at full assessment of the following application and proposals: Sulphur Dioxide In Longans (A351). An application from the Far North Queensland Longan Growers' Association Inc to permit the fumigation of longans with sulphur dioxide. Statement of Ingredients (P143). A proposal to review the current provisions for the statement of ingredients on food labels in order to develop a joint Australia New Zealand standard. Specific Compositional Declarations (P163). A proposal to review the current provisions which require a range of miscellaneous labelling statements in food labels in order to develop a joint Australia New Zealand standard. Novel Foods (P168). A proposal to establish a joint Australia New Zealand standard for novel foods. Sugars, Honey and Related Products (P181). A proposal to review the regulations in Australia and New Zealand for sugars, honey and related products in order to develop a joint Australia New Zealand standard. With respect to this proposal the authority is satisfied that it raises issues of minor significance and complexity and that to omit to invite public submissions prior to making a full assessment will not have a significant adverse effect on the interests of any person or body. The authority has therefore decided to omit to invite public submissions prior to making a full assessment. You are invited to present written submissions to the authority on matters relevant to these inquiries, including the potential regulatory impact on consumers, industry and government, by 30 September 1998. The information papers on these matters provide further information, including advice on the authority's policy regarding submissions. Matters Before Council The authority has completed inquiries into the variations to standards prepared at full assessment of the following applications and proposal and has made recommendations to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council that the variations be adopted into the Food Standards Code: Maximum Residue Limits (A349 and A352). Applications for amendments to current maximum residue limits in Standard A14. Review of the Edible Oils Standard (P162). A proposal to provide for a revised standard for edible oils to be included in the Food Standards Code as a joint Australia New Zealand standard.
Publication Date
20 Aug 1998

Notice Number

1998-gn5888

Page Number

2908