FSANZ makes second call for submissions on Food Standards Code and raw milk
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released second calls for submissions on a decision of the Food Standards Code, and a proposal to allow a wider range of raw milk products to be sold in Australia.
Second call for submissions on revised Food Standards Code
FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said FSANZ had taken account of feedback from industry, enforcement agencies and consumers provided since the first round of comment and following the release of an exposure draft of the revised Food Standards Code.
“The Food Standards Code has been revised to better meet the needs of all stakeholders,” Mr McCutcheon said.
“Our aim with this proposal has been to make the Code clearer and easier to navigate and we’re interested in hearing from stakeholders on this latest version,” Mr McCutcheon said.
The closing date for submissions on the Food Standards Code Revision Proposal is 12 September 2014.
Second call for submissions on raw milk proposal
FSANZ has also released a second call for submissions on a Proposal, which if approved, would include requirements to allow for the safe production of a wider range of raw milk products.
FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said that the Food Standards Code currently permits the production and sale of a very limited range of raw milk cheeses such as cheeses that have been cooked in production (for example, parmesan and gruyere).
“Under this Proposal, other kinds of cheeses (for example, hard blue cheeses or cheddars) may be produced using raw milk as long as stringent requirements in the Code are met,” Mr McCutcheon said.
“These include additional animal health, milking hygiene and temperature control requirements,” Mr McCutcheon said. “Businesses would have to demonstrate to enforcement agencies that they are able to meet the requirements,” he said
Australian Food News reported in December 2013 that the first round of submissions on the proposal to expand the range of raw milk products permitted for sale was due to close in January 2014.
FSANZ said it was expecting to notify ministers responsible for food regulation of its decision on the proposal in late 2014. If ministers approve the decision, the changes are expected to come into effect in early 2015.
The closing date for the second round of submissions is 21 August 2014.
