Australia New Zealand Food Authority Food Standards The Australia New Zealand Food Authority advises progress on the following matters relating to Food Standards. You can get further information on these matters in information papers available 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 a preliminary assessment and accepted the following applications, developed the following proposal, and will now make full assessments of them: Foods Produced Using Gene Technology (A338, A341, A346, A355, A362 and A363) Six applications from Monsanto Australia Limited seeking approval of certain foods derived from genetically modified crops to be included in table to clause 2 of Standard A18 Food Produced Using Gene Technology. In considering an application to amend the new standard the authority is required to make its assessment according to the ANZFA Safety assessment Guidelines for Foods Produced Using Gene Technology. Processing Aids (P188) A proposal to review the recently established Standard A16, principally to seek comment regarding processing aids used in New Zealand but not recognised in the standard, with the intention of establishing a joint Australia New Zealand Standard. You are invited to present written submissions to the authority on these matters, including the potential regulatory impact on consumers, industry and government, by 23 December 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: Quality Descriptors (P164) A proposal to regulate terms voluntarily used by manufacturers and retailers to describe particular quality aspects of foods on labels and advertising (e.g. ``fresh'' or ``natural''). Review of Food Additives (P150) A proposal to provide for a joint ANZ Standard for Food Additives. Specifications for Identity and Purity of Substances (P189) A proposal to review regulations for specifications for identity and purity of substances added to food. With respect to this proposal the authority is satisfied 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 these matters, including the potential regulatory impact on consumers, industry and government, by 23 December 1998. The information papers on these matters provide further information, including advice on the authority's policy regarding submissions. Application Withdrawn The following application has been withdrawn at full assessment: Drinking Yoghurt as a Supplementary Food (A353) An application received from Jalna Dairy Foods Pty Limited on 9 October 1997 to amend the definition of ``supplemented drink base'' as defined in Standard R9 Supplementary Foods to include yoghurt powder (and by association to include its hydrated form) in ``supplemented drink''. The authority has deemed the application to be withdrawn by the applicant on the basis that live cultures should be considered as foods rather than additives. This interpretation means that Standard R9 could contain live cultures without having to be changed to make allowance for yoghurt powder.