The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code is divided into four chapters, each containing detailed provisions on different aspects of food safety:
Chapter 1 - Introduction and standards applicable to all foods: This chapter covers labeling requirements, food additives and supplements, maximum residue limits, genetically modified foods, microbiological limits, and processing requirements. These regulations ensure that foods are accurately labeled and do not contain harmful substances in excess of permitted levels.
Chapter 2 - Food Product Standards: This chapter specifies the compositional requirements for specific foods. Each food must comply with compositional standards to ensure quality and safety for consumers.
Chapter 3 - Food Safety Standards: This chapter sets out food safety requirements for food handlers. This includes hygiene controls, working conditions and occupational health and safety regulations during food processing.
Chapter 4 - Basic Production Standards: This chapter covers standards for agricultural products, which prescribe production methods to ensure that agricultural products are of the highest quality and safe for consumption.
Australian Notice No. G/SPS/N/AUS/586 dated 12/4/2024: This notice relates to “Import Risk Assessment for Pre-Dehydrated and Pre-Sterilized Microbiological Media” to ensure that pre-dehydrated and pre-sterilized microbial products imported into Australia meet safety standards and do not pose a risk to the environment and public health.
Notice No. G/SPS/N/AUS/570/Add.1 dated 07/03/2024 of Australia: The content of this notice states that the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has completed a risk analysis to meet the market access requirements for fresh passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) imported into Australia from Vietnam.
Australian Notice G/SPS/N/AUS/583 dated 19/03/2024: This notice proposes to amend the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand to adjust the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for various agricultural and veterinary chemicals. These chemicals include ametoctradin, cypermethrin, ethephon, fluxapyroxad, ipflufenoquin, mefentrifluconazole, metalaxyl and pyraclostrobin in plant commodities, as well as bupivacaine and lignocaine in certain animal commodities.
New Zealand Notice G/SPS/N/NZL/742/Add.1 dated 31 January 2024: New Zealand has notified amendments to the Import Health Standards for rambutan, fresh ginger and fresh fruit and vegetables. These amendments will come into effect on 29 January 2024, to ensure that these imported products meet New Zealand's food safety and quarantine standards.
Notice No. G/SPS/N/KOR/798 dated March 13, 2024 of South Korea: South Korea proposes to amend the “Aquatic Organism Disease Control Act” to strengthen disease control measures for aquatic organisms, ensure biosafety, and prevent the spread of diseases in the aquatic environment.
Notification No. G/SPS/N/KOR/797 dated March 5, 2024 of South Korea: Proposed revision of “Standards and specifications for food utensils, containers and packaging” to ensure that food utensils and packaging meet safety and hygiene standards, prevent food contamination and protect consumer health.
Notice No. G/SPS/N/JPN/1258 dated March 1, 2024 of Japan: The content of this notice amends the Management List of Living Organisms under the Invasive Alien Species Act.
Notice No. G/SPS/N/CHN/1298, dated February 12, 2024 of China: The notice's content is related to the “National Food Safety Standard of the People's Republic of China: Vitamin K2 Food Nutritional Fortifier (Synthesis Method).” This standard applies to vitamin K2 nutritional fortified foods prepared by chemical synthesis from vitamin K3 and heptaenorpene alcohol or from vitamin K3, farnesol, and geraniol as raw materials.
Notice No. G/SPS/N/CHN/1297 dated February 12, 2024 of China: Refers to “National Food Safety Standards of the People's Republic of China: General Rules for Food for Special Medical Purposes.” This standard prescribes the relevant technical indicators of food for particular medical purposes, applicable to foods for people over one-year-old.
Notice No. G/SPS/N/CHN/1296 dated 12/02/2024 of China: The content of this notice is related to “National Food Safety Standards of the People's Republic of China: Complete Complementary Food.” This standard applies to complementary foods for children aged six months to 36 months and children aged 37 months to 72 months, ensuring that they meet the necessary nutritional requirements of children at different stages of development.
Notice No. G/SPS/N/CHN/1295 dated February 9, 2024, of China: This notice refers to “National Food Safety Standards of the People's Republic of China: General Principles for Labeling Prepackaged Foods”. This standard specifies the food labeling requirements for prepackaged foods, ensuring that the information on the label is clear and complete.
Notice No. G/SPS/N/CHN/1301, dated June 28, 2024, of China: The notice content is adding 47 pests, including Amyelois tarantella (Walker) moth and other pests, to the list of plant quarantine objects.
Notice No. G/SPS/N/CHN/1311, dated July 11, 2024, of the National Health Commission of China: Notice content on regulations on acrylamide pollution control in food. This standard specifies the basic requirements and management guidelines for the prevention and control of acrylamide generation in potato products, roasted cereal products, coffee, etc. through the control of raw materials and thermal processing such as frying and roasting.