The Australia New Zealand Food Authority advises progress on the following matter relating to food standards. You can get further information on this matter (including advice on the authority's policy regarding submissions, where applicable) from the ANZFA website www.anzfa.govt.nz or from:
The Information Officer
Australia New Zealand Food Authority
P.O. Box 10-559
The Terrace
Wellington
Telephone: (04) 473 9942
Facsimile: (04) 473 9855
Email: nz.reception@anzfa.gov.au
Call for Submissions-Applications
The authority has made preliminary assessments, accepted the following applications for further consideration and will now make full assessments of them. You are invited to present written submissions to the authority, including the potential regulatory impact on consumers, industry and government, by Wednesday, 5 April 2000:
o Citrus Coatings (A400)-An application received on
30 September 1999 from Castle Fruit Coatings to permit the use of modified wood rosin as a food additive on all types of citrus fruit.
o Lipase from GM aspergillus orzae (A402)-An application received on 10 November 1999 from Novo Nordisk Bioindustrial Pty Ltd to approve a new genetically modified source organism for the enzyme lipase (IUB 3.1.1.3).
o BHT Residues in Food (A403)-An application received on 12 November 1999 from Kellogg (Aust) Pty Ltd to extend the current permission to use the antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (321), in the manufacture of Ready To Eat Breakfast Cereals, by increasing the permitted migration level from polyethylene (PE) film used as wrapping.
o Lactoperioxidase (A404)-An application received on 30 November 1999 from Tatua Cooperative Dairy Co Ltd to allow for components of the lactoperoxidase system to be used with meat and meat products (including poultry), fish and fish products and processed and cultured dairy products.
o Permission for the use of Neotame (A406)-An application received on 14 December 1999 from the Nutra Sweet Company to include neotame for use as an intense sweetener and flavour enhancer.
o Maximum Residue Limits (A405 and A407)-Two applications received on 3 December 1999 and
20 January 2000 from the National Registration Authority to amend Australian Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for a number of agricultural chemicals as currently prescribed in the Australian Food Standards Code.
Submissions close Wednesday, 5 April 2000.
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.