Food Standards The Australia New Zealand Food Authority advises progress on the following matters relating to the Food Standards Code. You can get further information on these matters in information papers which are available on the ANZFA web site www.anzfa.govt.nz or from: The Information Officer Australia New Zealand Food Authority P.O. Box 10-559 WELLINGTON Telephone: (04) 473 9942 Facsimile: (04) 473 9855 Email: nz.reception@anzfa.gov.au Matters at Full Assessment The authority has made preliminary assessments and accepted the following applications, and will now make full assessments of them: Cellulose-Based Ion Exchange Resins (A367) An application received on 10 November 1998 from Life Technologies Limited seeking approval of four cellulose-based ion exchange resins for the production of proteins for use as food ingredients. Maximum Residue Limits (A369) An application received on 10 December 1998 from the National Registration Authority to amend Australian Maximum Residue Limits for a number of agricultural chemicals as currently prescribed in the Food Standards Code. Food sold in New Zealand which is either domestically produced or imported (other than from Australia) must comply with the MRL provisions in the New Zealand Food Regulations 1984. Food imported from Australia must comply with either the New Zealand MRLs or the Australian MRLs. You are invited to present written submissions to the authority on these matters, including the potential regulatory impact on consumers, industry and government, by the dates indicated. The information papers on these matters provide further information, including advice on the authority's policy regarding submissions. Submissions on both these matters close on 14 April 1999. Matters at Inquiry - Proposals The authority will conduct inquiries into the draft standards prepared at full assessment of the following proposals which review current Australian and New Zealand regulations in order to develop joint Australia/New Zealand standards. Submissions on these proposals close 14 April 1999: Contaminants in Food - Metals (Proposal P157) Cocoa and Cocoa Products (Proposal P173) Matters Before Council The authority has completed inquiries into the variations to standards prepared at full assessment of the following applications 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 (A356/A361). Two applications to amend Australian Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for a number of agricultural chemicals as currently prescribed in the Australian Food Standards Code. Food sold in New Zealand which is either domestically produced or imported (other than from Australia) must comply with the MRL provisions in the New Zealand Food Regulations 1984. Food imported from Australia must comply with either the New Zealand MRLs or the Australian MRLs.