Who’s Minding the Store Downunder: The regulator protecting public health and safety. Deon Mahoney...
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Transcript of Who’s Minding the Store Downunder: The regulator protecting public health and safety. Deon Mahoney...
Who’s Minding the Store Downunder: Who’s Minding the Store Downunder:
The regulator protecting public health The regulator protecting public health and safety.and safety.
Deon MahoneyFood Standards Australia New Zealand
Seattle University School of LawOffice of Continuing Legal Education 10-11 April 2008
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Australia - Primer
1 Commonwealth Government:• 6 States + 2 Territories + 700+ Local Govt Areas
21 million people
Island nation – we don’t have:• Foot and mouth disease
• Exotic zoonoses
• H5N1
Major exporter of agricultural commodities and processed foods
Significant imports of food
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Food safety issues….
Contaminated food causes approximately 5.4 million cases of gastroenteritis per annum*
1.2 million visits to medical practitioners*
2.1 million days of work lost per annum*
Total cost of foodborne illness in Australia is estimated at $1.249 billion per annum#
Attribution to food vehicles is a major issue* Hall and Kirk, 2005# Australian Government Dept of Health and Ageing, 2006
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Food Regulation – Who does what
Australia New Zealand Australia New Zealand Food Regulation Food Regulation Ministerial CouncilMinisterial Council
Role - develop domestic food regulation policy
Comprises - Ministers from the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, and the States and Territories. Each jurisdiction brings a "whole of government" view to the Council
Policy Development
Food Standards Food Standards Australia New Zealand Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)(FSANZ)
Role – develop food standards
Policy Guidelines
Standards Setting
State + Territory + New State + Territory + New Zealand AgenciesZealand Agencies
Role – enforce food standards
Implementation
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FSANZ - Responsibilities
FSANZ sets food standards that: protect the health and safety of food consumers; ensure consumers are informed about the food
they buy; and prevent deceptive and misleading conduct.
FSANZ regulatory measures should also: Be based on risk analysis using the best available
scientific evidence support an innovative food industry; and ensure consistency with international obligations
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Food Standards Code
Food hygiene
Food Standards Code
Labelling - including claims
Contaminants and residues
Additives and new foods
Composition of food products
Microbiological limits
(Australia only)
Primary production and processing(Australia only)
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Current Activity
Whole-of-chain Primary Production and Processing Standards• Seafood, Dairy products, egg and egg products,
poultry meat, raw milk products, etc
Fortification• Folate, Iodine, etc
Health claims
Reflects focus on both health protection from Reflects focus on both health protection from acute illness and prevention of chronic acute illness and prevention of chronic disease.disease.
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Contemporary Issues
Acrylamide Ethyl carbamate Food colours Allergens Nanotechnology Low level contaminants etc
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Food Imports – Special issues
Mitigating the risk associated with imported food AQIS - Australian Quarantine and Inspection
Service administers the Imported Food Inspection Scheme:• Inspection based on risk category
• Starting to recognise importers food safety management systems through compliance agreements
FSANZ - Provides advice on risk
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Food Imports – Risk list
Evolved a Decision Making Tool – Determines the level of inspection for imported food
Based on:• History
• Likelihood
• Adverse effects – populations
• Risk mitigation post-importation
High Risk: 100% Inspection and Testing Remainder: 5% Inspection and potential for
testing
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Summary
Australia is seeking pragmatic solutions to food safety problems
Horizon scanning for new and emerging foodborne hazards
Consumer knowledge, food beliefs and perceptions are important issues
Trend towards outcome based standards, with a focus on prevention rather than end-product testing arrangements
Addressing acute and chronic health issues