Applications, approvals and amendments to the Food Standards Code

FSANZ has commended assessing applications for:

The steviol glycoside, rebaudioside I, produced by enzymatic bioconversion of stevia leaf extract. The bioconversion enzymes are derived from a genetically modified yeast strain, Pichia pastoris.    Source: FSANZ

Maltogenic alpha amylase, sourced from GM Escherichia coli, as a processing aid in baking, brewing and starch processing.   Source: FSANZ

Food derived from wheat line IND-00412-7, genetically modified for drought-tolerance.   Source: FSANZ

Calls for comment on proposed changes

Summarises issues on which FSANZ has called for comment. The deadlines are mostly in September, and include nutrient composition of infant formula products, maltogenic alpha amylase enzyme from genetically modified Bacillus lichenformis, 2’-fucosyllactose in infant formula products, substances used in sports foods, and the safety of titanium dioxide as a food additive.    Source: FSANZ

Failing Food Report – June 2021

Foods inspected at the border. Includes risk food test results and surveillance food test results.    Source: Dept Agriculture, Water and the Environment

Current food recalls

Summarises recalls to up until 10^th August. Four recalls in August include Leggo’s Fresh Napoli Sauce, Conroy’s smallgoods, Jordan Rover dates and Koo canned mixed vegetable varieties.    Source: FSANZ.

Biosecurity import conditions

BICON is the Australian Government's database of more than 20,000 plants, animals, minerals and biological products. You can search the database to determine what import conditions may exist and if an import permit is required.    Source: Dept of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

26th Australian Total Diet Study published

FSANZ has released the results of the study which looked at levels of persistent organic pollutants including dioxins, dioxin-like compounds and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food. Chief Executive Officer Mark Booth said the results are good news.    Source: FSANZ

New sunscreen standard in force

New sunscreen standard in forceThe new sunscreen standard, AS/NZS 2604:2021, specifies requirements and test methods for broad spectrum and water resistant sunscreen products. Includes labelling requirements.    Source: Standards Australia

Update to regulatory guidelines for sunscreens

This is relevant to primary sunscreens, which are regulated by the TGA. Most secondary sunscreens are cosmetics, and are excluded from the therapeutic goods regulations.    Source: TGA

Using an "agent" to help you with AICIS obligations

From 1st August, manufacturers or importers of industrial chemicals (includes cosmetics) can now use an agent to help submit a 'post-introduction declaration' for exempted introductions on your behalf.    Source:  AICIS

New permitted ingredients for listed medicines

The Permissible Ingredients Determination (ingredients that may be use in listed complementary medicines) has been revised. 61 ingredients have been either added to the list, or had names, restrictions or label statements changed.    Source: TGA

Proposed changes to permitted ingredients list

Closing date for comments is Wednesday 15th September. Proposed changes address: Allergen statement for mollusc-derived ingredients - Peripheral neuropathy associated with lower dose vitamin B6 - Risk to infants from nasal use of benzalkonium chloride - Artemisinin and pregnancy risk. Click on link to view more details and respond to the consultation.    Source: TGA.

Compliance enforcement

Evolution Supplements Australia and its Director fined $12 million for advertising a range of unapproved sports products, including references to steroids, Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) and pre-workout products containing DMAA and other amphetamine derivatives. This is the largest penalty ever imposed by the Federal Court in relation to the Therapeutic Goods Act. The company Director failed to comply with TGA directions and attempted to conceal the unlawful advertising.    Source: TGA

Canberra dental practice issued with 20 infringement notices totalling $266,400 for importation and supply of unapproved dental implants and bone grafts.    Source: TGA

Gold Ant tablets seized and future shipments will be stopped at the border. The tablets contain the undeclared substance Sildenafil, a prescription-only medicine.    Source: TGA

He Absolute King sachets will be intercepted and destroyed by Australian Border Force as they contain undeclared Tadalafil.    Source: TGA

AB SLIM Slim-cellulose capsule tested and found to contain undisclosed sibutramine. Shipments will be destroyed at the border.    Source: TGA

Local GMP inspections

Where appropriate, these will take remotely during the COVD pandemic in place of on-site inspections.    Source: TGA.

Advertising nicotine vaping products

TGA has allowed pharmacies and pharmacy marketing to groups to promote that they are able to dispense nicotine vaping products (such as nicotine e-cigarettes, nicotine pods and liquid nicotine) on prescription.    Source: TGA

Post-market review of face masks

TGA is continuing its post-market reviews. List of cancelled products, non-compliance notices and other action are detailed.    Source: TGA

Guidance on regulation of personal protective equipment

Includes overview of regulations, manufacturing and standards, relevant to surgical masks and respirators, surgical gowns and gloves.    Source: TGA

Borderline disinfectant and related products with antiviral claims including COVID-19

This is a guide to those products that sit at the interface between consumer goods and therapeutic goods.    Source: TGA

TGA launches new information podcasts.

This is a 5 part series "Navigating Therapeutic Goods Regulations" to explain how the TGA works and includes "everything from how to supply therapeutic goods to the TGA Laboratories and remote GMP inspections".    Source: TGA

Independent review on MDMA and psilocybin

The Independent Expert Panel has been established to undertake a systematic literature review of the roles of MDMA and psilocybin for the treatment of mental health conditions.    Source: TGA

Proposed refinements to the regulation of personalised medical devices

This is a comprehensive summary of 137 responses from a variety of stakeholders to the three proposals put forward. A number of alternative approaches were put forward. Submissions that gave permission to be published can be viewed here.    Source: TGA

New biosecurity website

A new website - biosecurity.gov.au - details measures in place to protect Australia from harmful pests, diseases and weeds. This gathers information previously found on different state and federal websites.    Source: Dept of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.

Failing Food Report - May 2021

Foods inspected at the border. Includes risk food test results (the usual suspects were identified - Salmonella, aflatoxin, hydrocyanic acid, histamine) and surveillance food test results. This month many products were found to contain vitamins and minerals not permitted.    Source: Dept Agriculture, Water and the Environment

Imported food inspection scheme

This summarises data from imported food inspections conducted from 1 January to 31 December 2020. Includes information on compliance, analytical testing (contaminants, microbiological) and other tests. Interestingly, most non-compliance was for labels that did not comply with Australian food standards, including 38.8% of labels lacked or listed either incomplete or incorrect nutritional details; 18.4% of labels lacked or listed either incomplete or incorrect ingredient lists; 16.6% of labels were non-compliant with country of origin labelling requirements; 12.4% of labels lacked importer details.    Source: Dept of Agriculture, Water and the Environment

Imported food - virtual inspections of labels

The government is accepting expressions of interest from parties interested in engaging in virtual visual label inspections for eligible imported surveillance food. This is done in real time via Microsoft Teams. Food eligible for a virtual label and visual inspection is surveillance food. However the following surveillance foods are not eligible for virtual inspections: formulated supplementary sport foods; food subject to a holding order; food subject to analytical testing. Risk food is also not eligible for label and visual virtual inspections.    Source: Dept of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.

Approvals and amendments to the Food Standards Code and calls for comment on proposed changes

Call for comment on an application to allow an existing enzyme processing aid (maltogenic alpha-amylase, which has a long history of safe use and is already approved to be sourced from another microorganism) to be produced from a new genetically modified (GM) source - a GM strain of bacterium known as Bacillus licheniformis.    Source: Food Standards Australia New Zealand

Very Low Energy Diet (VLED) Products: Application to amend the Food Standards Code to include food suited for Very Low Energy Diets (VLEDs) in foods for special medical purpose (FSMPs)    Source: Food Standards Australia New Zealand

Gazetted amendments resulting from previous applications:
Irradiation as a phytosanitary measure for all fresh fruit and vegetables
Subtilisin from GM Bacillus licheniformis as a processing aid (enzyme) Variation
Rebaudioside M as Steviol (Glycoside) Variation
Food derived from herbicide-tolerant canola line MON94100 Variation

Formulated Supplementary Sports Foods - FSANZ is now calling for data on substances for use in sports foods.     Source: Food Standards Australia and New Zealand

Restrictions on marketing of infant formula

The ACCC has reauthorised an agreement among infant formula manufacturers and importers that prohibits them from advertising and promoting infant formula directly to the public. The ACCC states "A continued ban on infant formula advertising is likely to result in public benefits by protecting rates of breastfeeding, which has significant public health benefits".    Source: ACCC

Permitted novel foods

Some foods that have been deemed to be "novel" can be used in certain circumstances. This Standard lists permitted novel foods, and specifies conditions for their use.    Source: Federal Register of Legislation.

New Zealand - comments invited on import requirements

This is relevant to "importing personal consignments of products for human consumption and personal effects". This applies to fresh and stored plant products and personal effects (not otherwise already covered by a standard) and applies to items brought into New Zealand via passengers' luggage, and air and sea freight.    Source: New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries.