FSANZ opens submissions on changes to maximum residue limits requirements
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is seeking to create an “all other foods” maximum residue limit for some agricultural chemicals.
FSANZ is calling for submissions on this proposal after it called for submissions on proposed changes to the maximum residue limits for agricultural and veterinary chemicals in November 2015.
FSANZ Chief Executive Officer, Steve McCutcheon, said maximum limits are already set for chemicals and specific commodities but this has created issues.
“This has created issues for enforcement agencies and producers because low levels of chemicals permitted on one food may be accidentally found on other foods not listed in the Code,” McCutcheon said.
“While these levels (which can result from things like spray drift) don’t represent a public health and safety concern, the presence of chemicals means the food cannot legally be sold. FSANZ is consulting on an approach involving limits being set for some chemicals for all other foods except animal commodities. Some chemicals would be excluded because of high toxicity,” he stated.
According to FSANZ, the all other foods limit would be established on a case-by-case basis and dietary exposure assessments would be undertaken for the whole population to ensure public health and safety.
The FSANZ proposal is now open to submissions from industry and any other interested parties. Submissions will be accepted until 3 June 2016.
