FSANZ seeks input into proposed Food Code changes
Food Standards Australia New Zealand is seeking public comment on an “urgent amendment” to the Food Standard Code with regard to semi-dried tomatoes.
The proposed measures would require traceability and processing requirements of semi-dried tomatoes and ingredients within Australia.
In November 2009 Australian health authorities advised people to avoid eating semi-dried tomatoes unless they were thoroughly cooked. This followed the investigation of locally-acquired cases of hepatitis A, for which there was an association with consumption of semi-dried tomatoes. Most cases occurred in Victoria.
“At the time, the Victorian Government put in place short term measures to protect public health and safety and these measures are about to expire,” the food standards body advised. “The proposed national measures would ensure that sufficient records are available to respond effectively in any future outbreak, and that any hepatitis A virus is destroyed in semi-dried tomatoes or in the tomatoes used in semi-dried tomatoes.”
Further details can be found here.
The round of comment for this proposal closes on 1 February 2010.
