Current activities

On the 24 November 2017, the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation (Forum) provided in principle support for the framework that outlines the vision, approach and objective for the national strategy for reducing foodborne illness in Australia.

The development of the associated national strategy commenced in early 2018. Consultation with industry, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), the Public Health Laboratory Network, Communicable Diseases Network Australia and OzFoodNet was held in 2018.

The Forum launched Australia’s Foodborne Illness Reduction Strategy 2018-2021+ (the Strategy) at its meeting in mid 2018. FRSC has developed an extensive project plan, consisting of short-term and mid- to long-term projects, to give effect to the Strategy.

The program of work to implement the Strategy was discussed at a joint meeting of FRSC and the AHPPC on 31 October 2018. Implementation of the strategy is well underway. A scorecard was produced at the end of 2021, tracking the achievements of the Strategy.

Details on the Strategy projects are outlined below:

The Implementation Subcommittee for Food Regulation (ISFR) is conducting and/or scoping a number of projects that will support the Australia’s Foodborne Illness Reduction Strategy 2018-2021+.

Identify arrangements that would need to be established to facilitate data sharing and support data analytics.

Work is being led by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and Safe Food Production Queensland through the ISFR Data Analytics Working Group.

The Food Regulation Standing Committee agreed in early 2018 to ISFR's involvement in activities that support the Australia’s Foodborne Illness Reduction Strategy 2018-2021+.

Principles to guide data sharing and a document illustrating how the challenges and barriers to data sharing can be addressed by the principles, have been developed. A data sharing framework has been prepared identifying data of interest to be better shared and work is underway to develop a plan to further stakeholder engagement. Regular OzFoodNet reports are being produced providing a summary of trend data associated with foodborne illness to support the Strategy.

A. Campylobacter attribution study and implementation of research outcomes.

B. Nationally consistent implementation of poultry process hygiene criteria in Australian processing facilities.

A: Outcomes reported through the ISFR Data Analytics/Sharing Working Group.

B: Led by the Australian Meat Regulators Group through ISFR.

This National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) partnership project aims to apply genomics, epidemiology and source attribution modelling to identify locally-relevant risk factors and sources to reduce human illness from Campylobacter in Australia. Sampling and whole genome analysis is now complete; and final analysis of results is underway.
All jurisdictions are participating in the national implementation of poultry process hygiene criteria in production and processing facilities, enabling performance reporting and consistent triggers for action.

Nationally consistent implementation and compliance of the Primary Production and Processing Standard for eggs and egg products

National approach to the recall of eggs

ISFR

Led by Queensland

The Food Regulation Standing Committee at its May 2018 meeting and the Forum June 2018 meeting agreed to this work to support Australia’s Foodborne Illness Reduction Strategy 2018-2021+.

Guidance for Food Regulatory Agencies – the Recall of Shell Eggs was endorsed at ISFR16, August 2019.

Initial draft with revisions to the national compliance plan for Primary Production and Processing Standard for eggs and egg products has been prepared.

The Guidance for Food Regulatory Agencies – the Recall of Shell Eggs has been completed.

To develop an implementation package for the consistent implementation for any Primary Production and Processing Requirements for high risk horticulture that may be developed by FSANZ under proposal P1052 -Primary Production and Processing Requirements for high-risk horticulture.

ISFR Implementation Working Group for Primary Production and Processing Requirements for horticulture (Berries, Leafy Vegetables and Melons) led by NSW.

In June 2018 the Forum wrote to FSANZ to request work to commence, and ISFR formed a working group to assist in the development of an implementation package.

FSANZ has raised Proposal P1052 – Primary Production and Processing Requirements for horticulture (Berries, Leafy Vegetables and Melons). An ISFR Horticulture Implementation Working Group has been established to support the Integrated Model for Standards Development and Consistent Implementation.

Identify and consider potential options to address implementation matters associated with FSANZ Proposal P1053 - Food Safety Management Tools relating to the general food service and closely related retail sectors.

ISFR Food Safety Management Implementation Working Group co-led by SA Health and Qld Health.

In June 2018 the Forum wrote to FSANZ to request work to commence, and ISFR formed a working group to develop an implementation package.

FSANZ has raised Proposal P1053 – Food Safety Management Tools. An ISFR Food Safety Management Implementation Working Group has been established to support the Integrated Model for Standards Development and Consistent Implementation and is working with FSANZ to develop the draft standard and implementation user guidance.

Options for improving the composition of the food supply.

Explore options to improve the composition and healthfulness of the food supply in Australia and New Zealand.

Australian Government Department of Health and New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries.

In August 2019 the Forum agreed to a program of activities of the Food Regulation System to contribute towards reducing chronic disease related to obesity.

This work has passed Gateway 1. The next step is to describe the desired outcome.

A policy paper was developed that explored: current key nutrient intakes in Australia and New Zealand, foods or food categories which are major contributors of those nutrients, potential food categories or nutrients where population health would benefit, current voluntary approaches in Australia and New Zealand, and international approaches that have been implemented. Trans fats and sugar sweetened beverages were identified as possible case studies to improve the composition of the food supply by progressing work through the Food Regulation Policy Framework. This work was delayed due to COVID-19 but is starting up again in mid-2022.

A trans fat policy paper is being drafted, exploring current trans fat consumption and contribution to chronic disease, actions underway, and proposed actions to eliminate or reduce trans fat in Australia and New Zealand.

Work on the sugar sweetened beverages is scheduled to start later in 2022/early 2023.

Reducing children’s exposure to unhealthy food and drink advertising and marketing.

Develop options to strengthen restrictions on advertising of unhealthy foods and drinks to children.

Australian Government Department of Health.

In August 2019 the Forum agreed to a program of activities for the Food Regulation System to contribute towards reducing chronic disease related to obesity.

This work is in the scoping and planning phase. Work was delayed due to COVID-19 but is due to re-start in mid-2022.

A policy paper is under development, exploring the current regulatory mechanisms, and children’s current exposure to advertising and marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks. Consideration is also being given to opportunities to partner with other regulators, scope of the work and international approaches on this topic.

Explore data opportunities.

To explore data available to inform, monitor and evaluate work in Priority two.

TBC.

In August 2019 Forum agreed to a program of activities for the Food Regulation System to contribute towards reducing chronic disease related to obesity.

STEP A.

Scoping and planning phase.

Menu Board Labelling

Nationally consistent menu board labelling.

Queensland Department of Health

In August 2019 the Forum agreed that nationally consistent menu labelling is desirable for the food industry, public health organisations and governments. Ministers agreed the most effective way for this to occur would be to develop a food regulatory measure under the Food Standards Code and that development of a Ministerial Policy Guideline should be the first step.

This work is currently at stage F (Providing advice).

Stakeholders were invited to respond to the Public Consultation Regulation Impact Statement from 8 April 2021 to 3 June 2021. Submissions informed the development of a Decision Regulatory Impact Statement and a preferred option which will be considered by the Food Ministers’ Meeting in mid 2022.

Commercial foods for early childhood

To determine what actions could be undertaken in the Food Regulation System to improve commercial infant and toddler foods.

Australian Government Department of Health

In November 2020 the Forum agreed for FRSC to consider and determine what actions could be explored in the Food Regulation System to improve commercial infant and toddler foods.

This work is in the scoping and planning phase. Initial analysis (including a background paper: Commercial foods for early childhood: Australia and New Zealand) has been undertaken exploring the current regulatory environment for infant foods in Australia and New Zealand, comparison with international guidelines for infant feeding, and products sold for infants and toddlers domestically in Australia. Work is scheduled to start later in 2022.

Food Safety and COVID-19.

Coordinate and develop advice to help food business during COVID-19.

South Australia Health, NSW Food Authority, are leading this work on behalf of FRSC.

FRSC meeting 2 April 2020

Food regulators are working together with Food Standards Australia New Zealand to develop advice to help food businesses during the current COVID-19 outbreak.

Further information about food safety and COVID-19 can be found on the FSANZ website.

Implementation of a new strategic planning cycle

The new Strategic Planning Process is evidence based and informed by stakeholders.

Under the new process, the priorities of the Australia New Zealand Food Regulation System will be reset by Food Ministers triennially.

Strategic Planning Working Group

At the 16 December 2021 Food Ministers’ Meeting, ministers endorsed the implementation of a new strategic planning cycle to support priority-setting that is evidence based and informed by stakeholders.

Planning for the July 2023 - June 2026 period has commenced. The outcomes are expected to be considered by Food Ministers in late 2022 accompanied by an indicative work program.

The development of, and consultation on, a horizon scan that captures the current landscape is the first step in the process.

Stakeholder consultation on the horizon scan was held from 27 June to 7 August 2022.

A virtual Stakeholder Engagement Forum to discuss the evidence base for the horizon scan was held on 19 July 2022.

Maintain a strong Food Regulation System.

Implement the ambitious plan to reform the Bi-national Food Regulation System to ensure it remains strong, robust and agile into the future.

Ms Maria Gracie, New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries and Ms Angela Brierley, Agriculture Victoria, are leading this work on behalf of FRSC. Project work is being led by FRSC members.

On the 28 April 2017 the Forum agreed the 2017 – 2021 priorities for the Food Regulation System.

On 15 November 2019 the Forum endorsed an ambitious plan to reform the Bi-national Food Regulation System.

Implementation of the reform agenda is being progressed via three-interconnected activities:

• Review of the operations of the Food Regulation System;
• Facilitating Jurisdictional Consistency;
• Review of the Intergovernmental Food Regulation Agreement (FRA).

Separately, but in close collaboration, the Australian Government is undertaking a review of the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand Act 1991 (FSANZ Act).

Review of the operations of the Food Regulation System.

To review the operational processes of the Food Regulation System including roles and responsibilities of the various governance groups, triage system, interactions with other relevant government forums, prioritisation of work, resourcing and record keeping to improve its agility and responsiveness.

New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, on behalf of FRSC.

On the 28 April 2017 the Forum agreed the 2017 – 2021 priorities for the Food Regulation System.

Scoping and planning phase.

Facilitating Jurisdictional Consistency.

To increase national consistency in areas of the
Food Regulation System that will result in cost savings for industry and
governments.

The objectives of the project are to:

• identify key areas that would most benefit from improved consistency of food regulatory approaches across jurisdictions, and
• develop options to improve jurisdictional consistency in the identified areas.

Safe Food Production Qld (SFPQ) and Qld Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (QDAF), on behalf of FRSC.

On the 28 April 2017 the Forum agreed the 2017 – 2021 priorities for the Food Regulation System.

Work is underway to explore suitable contemporary regulatory models that could facilitate greater jurisdictional consistency.

A consultation entitled ‘Consistency of food regulatory approaches’ was made available for public submissions on 6 November 2020, and closed on 18 December 2020. The consultation sought stakeholder advice on areas of inconsistency in food regulatory approaches and the impact this has on businesses and regulatory outcomes. Information from submissions will be used to identify priority areas that would benefit most from reform.

Review of the Intergovernmental Food Regulation Agreement (FRA).

Stage 1: Describe a vision for the future of the Food Regulation System to provide strategic direction for reform and feed into Stage 2.

Stage 2: Review the Food Regulation Agreement (FRA) to create a new foundational document to underpin the Food Regulation System.

SA Health and the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE), on behalf of FRSC.

On the 28 April 2017 the Forum agreed the 2017 – 2021 priorities for the Food Regulation System.

Scoping and planning phase.

Work is underway for Stage 1 of the project. Consultation on the aspirations for the Food Regulation System opened on 23 November 2020 and closed on 22 January 2021. A report on the consultation outcome is currently being prepared for the Forum.

Improved Intelligence in the Food Regulation System.

Develop a system for the ongoing purposeful gathering of information, data and evidence (collectively intelligence) for use by the entire Food Regulation System.

WA Health and Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries are co- leading this work on behalf of FRSC.

Improved intelligence gathering was identified at the FRSC workshop held in Melbourne on 12 February 2019 as a medium to longer term activity.

In September 2019, FRSC agreed an integrated process for gathering, collating, analysing and sharing of intelligence.

A working group has been established to develop advice to FRSC on the actions required to implement a best-practice approach to better source and use of intelligence that will support the aims and objectives of the System.

The work was delayed in 2020/21 due to COVID-19 and advice is now expected by late 2022/early 2023.

Audit of Policy Guidelines and policy statements.

To conduct an audit of the current suite of relevant Policy Guidelines and Policy Statements to maximise consideration given in these documents to obesity prevention and healthy eating.

Australian Government on behalf of FRSC

In August 2019 the Forum agreed to a program of activities under Priority 2 of the Food Regulation System to contribute towards reducing chronic disease related to obesity.

The audit is expected to commence in 2023.

Health Claims – addressing concerns raised in association with Standards 1.2.7

Explore concerns regarding implementation andenforcement of self-substantiated general level health claims under of Standard 1.2.7 of the Code.

FRSC is leading thiswork.

FRSC, at its meeting on 22 September 2017 requested that ISFR provide a report on any outstanding issues arising from the implementation of Standard 1.2.7 - Nutrition, Health and Related Claims and any related policy issue.

Scoping and planning phase.

Guidance for enforcement agencies on caffeine.

To develop guidance materials on the regulation of products containing pure or high concentrations of caffeine and high caffeine content products for enforcement agencies to inform compliance action.

This work is being led by ISFR.

In July 2019 Ministers Colbeck and Hunt requested FSANZ to prepare a report on the safety of caffeine powders and high caffeine content products.

A working group has been established by FRSC to undertake this work.

Sport supplement products safety.

Enhance consumer safety in relation to sports supplement products.

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care on behalf of FRSC.

The Australian Government Minister for Health, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP wrote to FRSC in June 2018.

Proposal P1010 has been formally prepared following a request from the Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation in October 2018 to review Standard 2.9.4 – Formulated supplementary sports foods. This request follows a Round table on sports supplements convened in July 2018 by the Australian Government Department of Health on behalf of the Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC).

Low Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Hemp as Food.

To monitor implementation of legislative changes required to allow the sale of Low THC Hemp Seeds as Food, and identify issues to be resolved to successfully implement changes to the Food Standards Code.

A working group has been established by FRSC to undertake this work.

Forum – April 2017.

The working group has been established and is due to report to FRSC periodically.

FRSC, at its meeting on 22 September 2017, agreed that the coordination of surveillance and monitoring activities relating to compliance with the Code in relation to low THC hemp seeds as food should also be included in the next work program of ISFR as a proactive initiative.

Hemp Seed Food Compliance is undertaken as an activity within the Coordinated Food Survey Plan.