Food Regulation

The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is responsible for food regulation in Australia. The food standards code regulates the safety and quality of food sold in Australia. A new food standards code that took effect at the end of 2002 requires all food labels to include nutritional information.

FSANZ is responsible for food regulation in Australia. A National Food Authority was first set up in Australia in 1991 and the joint Australia and New Zealand authority in 1996. FSANZ's role is to maintain a safe food supply in Australia and New Zealand.

The FSANZ Board has responsibility to develop and review amendments to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and to notify its decisions to the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council, which comprises government representative from Australia and New Zealand. The Ministerial Council can either request the FSANZ Board to review the draft amendment, or advise that it does not seek a review.

FSANZ works to:

• protect public health and safety
• provide information to enable consumers to make informed food choices
• prevent misleading and confusing promotion of food products

Food standards code

The food standards code regulates:

• the type and amount of information on food labels
• the composition of food
• food safety

The food standards code has recently been reviewed. The new code, requiring all food labels to include a nutrition information panel will took effect from December 2002. Policing of food standards is the responsibility of local and state governments.

Food Labelling


Health claims

Health claims are statements linking eating certain foods to the prevention of disease. These claims are currently not allowed on food labels in Australia, however one exception has been made.


Folate health claim trial

A trial evaluated the effect of a health claim linking the intake of folate in women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy to the prevention of neural tube defects in infants. This claim has been placed on various foods containing folate. The effect of this trial is still being considered and a decision on whether further health claims will be allowed in Australia has not yet been made.

Health claims do exist in the USA, Japan and in some parts of Europe. Some people are in favour of health claims being used in Australia as they feel that they will help people choose foods that may benefit their health. Alternatively, other people feel that health claims may lead to confusion amongst consumers and encourage people to eat 'super foods' rather than a variety of health foods.

A new policy for Health, Nutrition and related claims is in the process of being developed. It is anticipated that the new policy will be ready for consideration in late 2007.

An Accredited Practising Dietitian is an expert in food and nutrition who can help people to understand the food supply, food regulation and the food choices they make.