Amendments to Imported Food Regulations

Changes to the Imported Food Control Regulations 2019 take effect on 1 October 2019. There are three changes that will potentially impact importers and their brokers: 1. Commercial imports taken to be for private consumption reduced from 10 kilograms/litres to 1 kilogram/litre; 2. All commercial imports of prohibited plants and fungi will be subject to the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS); 3. Clarification of powers of authorised officers.     Source: Food control

Department of Agriculture Toughens Stance on Importer Transgressions

The Biosecurity Act has been in operation for 3 years and the Department of Agriculture is adopting a less tolerant attitude towards non-compliance. The department will issue infringement notices and take other enforcement action in appropriate circumstances.   Source: Biosecurity crackdown

Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation Communiqué

The Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation (the Forum) met on 16 August 2019 to consider a range of food regulation matters. The Forum comprises all Australian and New Zealand Ministers responsible for food, and the Australian Local Government Association. Key topics and outcomes from the meeting include: Health star rating five-year review; supporting the public health objectives to reduce chronic disease related to overweight and obesity; labelling of sugars on packaged foods and drinks; fast food menu board labelling; fermented beverages; and, salmonella enteriditis. In addition to items discussed at the meeting, the Forum also ratified a number of recent decisions from out-of-session processes, including modernisation of the food regulation system, and, energy labelling of alcoholic beverages.   Source: Food forum communiqué

Agriculture Department Updates Formulated Supplementary Sports Food Regulations

The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods (ACNF) has determined that Acacia rigidula is to be a novel food. As such, the safety of this food has not been established, and there is no tradition of use as food in Australia and New Zealand; and there may be potential for adverse effects if consumed. [Supplementary sports foods are foods specifically formulated to assist sports people in achieving specific nutritional or performance goals. Some ‘sports supplements’, particularly those in tablet or capsule form, may be considered to be therapeutic goods, rather than formulated supplementary sports foods. Determining whether a product is a food or a therapeutic good can be difficult at times because it depends on many factors, such as ingredients, dosage form and in particular the way in which the product is presented for supply, including advertising and labelling].   Source: Supplementary sports food

July 2019 Failing Food Report

The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources targets and monitors food determined to pose a high or medium risk to public health. Risk food is targeted at the rate of 100 per cent until a history of food safety compliance is established. When an emerging human health and safety hazard is identified in food, the department may temporarily increase monitoring and testing. This latest report details food that was found to fail under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme during the month of June. Among the usual pathogenic organisms detected in these imported foods are such organisms as Staphylococci E coli, Listeria, and Salmonella, and assorted toxins such as hydrocyanic acid, arsenic, aflatoxin and many more. Of particular note are the number of foods ‘failing’ due to the illegal presence of added vitamins and or minerals and also irradiation.   Source: Latest failed foods (Please see also FSANZ Food recall list )

FSANZ Notifications—

Proposal P1054 – Pure and highly concentrated caffeine products (URGENT): This urgent proposal is to amend the Code to prohibit the retail sale of pure and highly concentrated caffeine food products.   Source: Caffeine urgency

Application A1174 – Xylanase from Trichoderma reesei as a PA (Enzyme): The purpose of this Application is to permit the use of Xylanase from Trichoderma reesei as a Processing Aid.   Source: Trichoderma enzyme

Application A1184 – Glucoamylase from GM Aspergillus niger (donor Trametes cingulata): The purpose of the application is to approve the use of glucoamylase sourced from GM Aspergillus niger containing the gene from Trametes cingulata.   Source: GM aspergillus

Application A1185 – Alpha-amylase from Aspergillus niger as a Processing aid (enzyme): The purpose of this application is to approve the use of Alpha-amylase sourced from Rhizomucor pusillus in GM Aspergillus niger.  Source: Alpha amylase

Application A1186 – Soy Leghemoglobin in meat analogue products: The purpose of the application is to allow the use of soy leghemoglobin derived from P.pastoris as a component in meat analogue products.   Source: Meat analogue

Application A1188 – Gibberellic Acid as a Processing Aid: The purpose of the Application is to allow Gibberellic Acid to be used as a processing aid for all cereal grain germination and retain the limit of GMP.   Source: Gibberellic acid

Functional Foods and Supplements to Contribute Towards $25bn Australian Market by 2030

Australian ‘health and wellness’ products including functional foods, supplements and personalised nutrition, along with more sustainable products such as alternative protein, will become a AU$25bn billion market by 2030, according to new data.   Source: (Copyright) Guan Yu Lim, Food Navigator-Asia Functional foods market

How to Read Australian Food Labels

When it comes to food labelling in Australia, it is a legal requirement for all packaged foods to have a food label containing important safety and nutrition information which helps consumers compare one food item with another and find high-quality foods with high nutritional value. Food Standards Australia and New Zealand [FSANZ] says there should be 12 components to a food label – including dates, ingredients, vitamins, certain allergens, instructions for storage and preparation, and advisory and warning statements - with the nutrition information panel [NIP] and the ingredients list being the most important information for consumers.   Source: Amy Mills, New Idea Understanding food labels   (Please also compare with French food labelling regulations)

Aussies Willing to Pay More for Sustainable Products

Australian shoppers are willing to pay more for environmentally-friendly products from sustainable companies, according to new findings by Salmat and ACRS. The research found that a third of Australian shoppers (34 per cent) will buy sustainable products, but 31 per cent said they don’t purchase a brand or product that doesn’t adhere to their values, ethics or sustainability practices. Almost three quarters (72 per cent) of shoppers rank ethical brand behaviour among their top three priorities in shopping for products.    Source: Remedios Lucio, Inside FMCG Fair trade

Aussie Plant-Based Meat Could be Worth $3b to Economy

Recently released world-first modelling shows Australia’s plant-based meat industry is projected to add up to $3 billion a year into the economy by 2030. It would appear an outrageous proposition given Australia's alternative meat market only contributes 265 jobs and $30 million at present. But the new research suggests otherwise. Under the most favourable scenario, one of three outlined by global firm Deloitte, thousands of jobs would be created and customer expenditure would rise to $4.6 billion per annum. But Food Frontier, an alternative plant protein group which commissioned the report, is warning the nation could miss out on the prospective boom.    Source: Callum Godde, AAP via PerthNow Plant-based meat projections

These Food Movements are Aiming to Change the Way We Eat

Australians of all ages and cultural backgrounds are getting together to change the world - and they're doing it using food. Youth Food Movement Australia (YFMA) is a volunteer-run, non-profit organisation that engages people aged 18-35 years and educates them about food sustainability issues. The movement, which is mostly online, runs blogs, events and campaigns that focus on the reduction of food waste, creating culturally inclusive food communities, how to use ‘ugly food’ and community eating. Grow Free is a grassroots movement that that aims to share free, healthy food with all members of the community. The organisation’s philosophy is all about ‘growing and giving’. The movement centres around the existence of physical carts, placed in various locations that are shared with members of the public online. These carts display free produce that people can pick up, and vegetable, herb and flower seedlings for people to take and plant in their garden. You can also use the cart to drop off produce and seedlings to give away to others. The global Slow Food movement, which was founded in Italy in the 1980s, is now a 30-year-strong organisation that’s working hard to protect local food cultures and traditions across 160 countries, including Slow Food Australia. The movement focuses on a concept of food that is ‘good, clean and fair’, and aims to bring international and Indigenous gastronomic traditions to the community. There is also the Right to Food Coalition - the nationwide food movement – made up of organisations, practitioners, researchers and community workers – aims to advocate for vulnerable people who don’t have access to healthy food.    Source: Yasmin Noone, SBS Food movements

RFA Provides Comprehensive Training In Regulatory Affairs - Spring Special! 20% discount on September and October bookings

Are you looking to expand your knowledge or are you new to Australian regulations related to the supply of foods, cosmetics and/or complementary medicines? Then check out the full list of courses we offer on the Robert Forbes & Associates website www.rfaregulatoryaffairs.com/training-courses . There are 20 courses to choose from and any of these can be undertaken either singly or in groups, from within our Glebe, Sydney office, at your office or remotely via Skype. We are offering a special 20% discount on all courses if you enrol in the month of September or October. Contact our training manager Kate Durey This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  to receive the latest information on these training courses at this discount offer. See you in the classroom!

Quote for the month:

“I am building a fire and every day that I train, I add more fuel”    Mia Hamm

Accord Enters Into Innovation Partnership with Monash University

Accord Australasia is the peak national industry association representing manufacturers and marketers of hygiene, cosmetic and specialty products, their raw materials suppliers and service providers. Monash University is one of Australia's leading universities and ranks among the world's top 100. Together they have developed an Innovation Partnership Agreement which aims to not only improve the rigour of Accord’s advocacy but will also enhance students’ and researchers’ links to industry.   Source: Accord - Monash partnership

View: RFA Regulatory Affairs You Tube Video (Cosmetics Regulation)

TGA Warns Against Use of Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs

Performance and image enhancing drugs are a diverse group of drugs that some people use with the aim of improving their sporting performance or pursuing a desired look for their body. These may include anabolic steroids, SARMS, beta-2-agonists, stimulants, peptides and even tanning agents. There is concern about both the known and unknown health risks when taking these drugs as well as the illegality of possession and use. The TGA recommends not to buy from overseas websites and to look for an AUST number on the label, which confirms it is a TGA regulated product.   Source: Performance drugs

(Related story: Shayna Jack and the Dilemma of Contaminated Sports Supplements – Source: Triple J Hack Supplement contamination ; & CMA Media Release)

TGA Signals Upcoming Changes to the Permissible Indications Determination

'Indications' are statements that describe the specific therapeutic use for a medicine. They describe a medicine's claimed purpose or health benefit. Indications available for use for listed medicines are now contained in a 'list of permitted indications'. The proposed changes include the addition of 4 new indications, and changes to 32 existing indications to clarify/correct the wording of indications and/or indication requirements.   Source: Permissible indications update

TGA Discusses the Use of ‘Natural’ Claims When Advertising Medicines and Medical Devices

Following on from the previous guidance issued by the TGA (as reported in this newsletter’s June 2019 edition), more detail is provided here. The two main principles involved when deciding on the appropriateness of using the term ‘natural’ in advertising are - advertisers of medicines and medical devices must ensure that they do not mislead consumers when making natural claims, and advertisers must hold evidence that substantiates any claims, and provide this evidence to the TGA if asked.   Source: 'Natural' claims    (See also: Understanding what ‘natural’ means on your medicine)    

TGA Updates Advertising Code for Therapeutic Goods

Minor corrections and clarifications have been made to the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code (No.2) 2018. These came into effect on 30 July 2019. Some of the changes made concern – clarifying the definition of ‘health warnings’, the use of ‘mandatory statements’, more flexibility in wording of ‘indications’, proper use of ‘health warnings’, and, required advice if pregnant.   Source: Therapeutic advertising

All That You Ever Wanted to Know About the Poisons Standard

The Poisons Standard is the legal title of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP) which promotes the uniform scheduling of substances and uniform labelling and packaging requirements throughout Australia. This handbook provides guidance for stakeholders on how the Poisons Standard is amended and provides details of the processes that underpin the scheduling policy.   Source: Know your poison

TGA Safety Advisories- Source: TGA current year alerts

Hong Kong Tianli Biological – power tablet: Contains the undeclared substance Sildenafil

Bali Mojo capsules: Contains the undeclared substance Tadalafil

GMP Clearance Applications Using Health Canada Evidence Attract Special Charge

Australia’s TGA has Mutual Recognition Agreements with many countries, including Canada, concerning Conformity Assessment in Relation to Medicines Good Manufacturing Practice Inspection and Certification. This means that Australian sponsors using manufacturers in Canada have been permitted to use the HC “Inspection Exit Notice” as evidence to demonstrate compliance in place of a GMP Clearance Certificate. However, this MRA is only applicable to inspections of Canadian manufacturing sites. When HC inspect outside their borders, there is insufficient evidence in these reports to demonstrate complete compliance. The TGA now charges an additional liaison fee to cover the extra work involved in processing CV clearance applications submitted using HC 'exit notices'.   Source: Health Canada GMP   (See also: TGA fees & charges )

Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program Wins Editors Award for Industry Initiative of the Year

The ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) received the Editor’s Award for “Industry Initiative of the Year” by NutraIngredients-USA, one of the leading natural products and dietary supplement industry trade publications in the United States. BAPP is an exemplary educational resource about adulteration in the botanical supply chain, with its growing body of peer-reviewed literature, laboratory guidance documents, bulletins, and newsletters.   Source: BAPP wins award ;   (See also: BAPP homepage )

RFA Congratulates Michael McGuffin on Celebrating 20 Years as AHPA President

RFA Regulatory Affairs has been a keen supporter of the American Herbal Products Association for many years. As Michael McGuffin celebrates his 20 years of presidency (“I’m 68 years old and I can only do this another 10 or 20 years”), now is a good time to look back on all the success of AHPA during Michael’s tenure – which can be neatly summed up with, “(the role of NHPA is) to promote the responsible commerce of herbal products.”   Source: M. McGuffin turns 20