Food Standards The Australia New Zealand Food Authority advises progress on the following matters relating to food standards. You can get information papers on each of these matters from the ANZFA web site www.anzfa.gov.au or from: The Information Officer <para15>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 Call for Submissions You are invited to present written submissions to the authority on the following matters, including the potential regulatory impact on consumers, industry and government, by 4 August 1999. The information papers on these matters provide further information, including advice on the authority's policy regarding submissions: Caffeine In Non-Alcoholic Beverages (A344) An application received on 9 July 1997 from Kensington Swan to permit the same uses for caffeine in Australia that are currently permitted in New Zealand. On 24 November 1998 the application was amended to seek an extension of use of caffeine into all soft drinks at the maximum permitted level of 145 mg/kg. The authority will conduct an inquiry into the draft standards prepared at full assessment of this application, prior to making its recommendation to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council. Extension of recognised source organism for Phytase (A371) An application from Novo Nordisk received on 1 March 1999 to vary permission in the list of approved source organisms in Standard A16 - Processing Aids, for the enzyme phytase (IUB 3.1.3.26). The authority has made a preliminary assessment, accepted the application for further consideration, and will now make a full assessment of it. Pectin Esterase (A373) An application from Novo Nordisk received on 1 March 1999 to vary the permission in the list of approved processing aids in Standard A16 - Processing Aids, to include the enzyme pectin esterase (IUB 3.1.1.11). The authority has made a preliminary assessment, accepted the application for further consideration, and will now make a full assessment of it. Cheese, Butter and Edible Oil Spreads (P186) A proposal to review of the regulations applying to cheese, butter and edible oil spreads in order to develop a joint Australia New Zealand standard. The authority will conduct an inquiry into the draft standard prepared at full assessment of this matter, prior to making its recommendation to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council. Declaration of Added Water (P206) A proposal to develop a joint Australia New Zealand standard to provide information on food labels regarding added water. The authority will now make a full assessment of this proposal. Percentage Labelling (P207) A proposal to develop a joint Australia New Zealand standard regarding the provision of percentage labelling of the key ingredients of foods on food labels. The authority will now make a full assessment of this proposal.