Australia New Zealand Food Authority Food Standards The Australia New Zealand Food Authority advises progress on the following matters relating to the Australian Food Standards Code. You can get further information on these matters in information papers which are available from: The Information Officer Australia New Zealand Food Authority P.O. Box 10-559 WELLINGTON 6036 Telephone: (04) 473 9942 Facsimile: (04) 473 9855 Email: anzfa.nzanzfa.gov.au 1998/99 Work Plans The authority is preparing work plans for the Food Product Standards Programme for the 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999 financial year. Stakeholders can help the authority refine its priorities and accurately direct its public resources by advising what applications for the development or variation of food standards they propose to be submitted during the 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999 financial year. Where feasible the authority will include these matters within the context of the current review of the Food Standards Code. Responses to this request should be directed to the Standards Liaison Officer at the authority at the above address, and be received by 28 February 1998. Policy Document Role and Use of Codes of Practice, Guidelines and Ancillary Documents The authority has developed this document for use by the authority to support compliance with food legislation in Australia and New Zealand. The purpose of the paper is to set out the policy framework of measures intended to support the implementation of a less prescriptive food regulatory environment that are developed by or with the participation of the authority; or endorsed by the authority. Copies of the Policy Document are available from the authority upon request. Matters at Inquiry The authority will conduct an inquiry into the variations to standards prepared at full assessment of the following application: Use of Oxidised Polyethylene on Citrus Fruit (A271). An application from Hoechst Australia Limited to allow use of oxidised polyethylene as a coating agent on citrus fruit. You are invited to present written submissions to the authority on matters relevant to this inquiry, including the potential regulatory impact on consumers, industry and government, by 28 January 1998. The information paper on this matter provides further information, including advice on the authority's policy on submissions. Matters Before Council The authority has completed an inquiry into the variations to a standard prepared at full assessment of the following application and has recommended to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council that the variations be adopted into the Food Standards Code: Alcohol Content of Vanilla Essence (A334). An application to delete the requirement that vanilla essence must contain not less than 50% ethyl alcohol and to delete the requirement that vanilla essence must be produced by extraction of vanilla beans with aqueous ethyl alcohol.