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Food Standards Australia New Zealand Reports 2011-12
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Annual Report 2011-12
© Food Standards Australia New Zealand 2012
ISSN 1329-38950
Published October 2012
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of information. Information in this Annual Report is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY 3.0) Licence, except for the Food Standards Australia New Zealand logo. An electronic version of this work is available on the FSANZ website at www.foodstandards.gov.au and, for New Zealand, www.foodstandards.govt.nz.
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FSANZ Australia
PO Box 7136 Canberra BC ACT 2610 Australia
P +61 2 6271 2222 F +61 2 6271 2278
FSANZ New Zealand
PO Box 10559, The Terrace Wellington 6143 New Zealand
p +64 4 978 5630
F +64 4 473 9855
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Letter of transmittal
The Hon Catherine King MR
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister
for Health and Ageing
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Annual Report of Food Standards Australia New Zealand for the year ended
30 June 2012
I am pleased to present to you the Annual Report of Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
This report fulfils the reporting requirements of The Commonwealth Authorities and
Companies Act 1997, including the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies orders
for report of operations.
The report also fulfils the reporting requirements of Section 152 of the Food Standards
Australia New Zealand Act 1991.
The Annual Report is made in accordance with a resolution of FSANZ Board Members
(Directors). They are responsible for the preparation and content of the report of operations
in accordance with the Finance Minister's Orders.
Yours sincerely
Philippa Smith AM
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
September 2012
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 3
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Contents
Letter of transmittal 3
Guide to the report 8
Additional information 9
Compliance index 10
Chief Executive Officer *s review 12
Corporate overview 17
Highlights 17
FSANZ *s operating environment 18
FSANZ organisation structure at 30 June 2012 20
Priorities and performance 2011-12 21
Outcomes 21
Performance 22
CHAPTER 1 Regulatory standards 25
Strategic imperative 26
Objectives 26
Outcomes 26
Highlights 26
Introduction 27
Summary of food regulatory activity 29
Applications and Proposals gazetted 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012 29
Amendments to the FSANZ Application Handbook 29
Standards Development work plan 29
FSANZ procedures 31
Ministerial Council reviews 36
Ministerial Council policy guidelines 37
Additional work requested by the Ministerial Council 37
Administrative and judicial review of FSANZ decisions 37
Corporate governance 38
Standards development 38
Applications and proposals 38
Addition of substances to food 41
Food labelling 41
Food standards for the primary industries 42
4 CONTENTS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Public health and safety 44
Public health 44
Food safety 44
Imported food 45
Food incidents 46
Food recalls 47
Improving our standards development outcomes 49
Emerging issues 51
Monitoring food hazards 52
Strengthening our evidence base 55
Science evidence base 55
Accessing external expertise 57
Consumer and social sciences research 59
Regulatory analysis 60
International networks 60
Relationships in the Asia-Pacific region 62
CHAPTER 2 Stakeholder relationships 63 Strategic imperative 64
Objectives 64
Outcomes 64
Highlights 64
Introduction 65
Stakeholders and regulatory partners 66
Citizen involvement 66
Collaborative projects 68
Communication 71
Information for the community 71
Consumer publications 73
Industry and consumer advice 74
Public awareness campaigns 74
CONTENTS5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
CHAPTER 3 People and organisational capability 75
Strategic imperative 76
Objectives 76
Outcome 76
Highlights 76
Introduction 77
Organisational capability and capacity 78
Information and communication technology (ICT) 78
Staff Forum 80
2012 staff survey 80
Sustainable development 82
FSANZ employment profile 82
Employment environment 86
Organisational structure 89
Senior management 89
CHAPTER 4 Accountability 91
Strategic imperative 92
Objectives 92
Outcomes 92
Highlights 92
Introduction 93
Our role and priorities 94
Regulatory partners 95
Corporate governance arrangements 96
Government and parliament 96
FSANZ performance 96
FSANZ Board 98
Business planning and management 100
6 CONTENTS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
CHAPTER 5 Appendixes 103 Appendix 1 - Gazetted amendments to the Australia New Zealand Food
Standards Code from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012 104
Appendix 2 - Applications received and proposals prepared at 30 June 2012 107
Appendix 3 - FSANZ processes for assessing Applications 115
Appendix 4 - External FSANZ committee members 120
Appendix 5 - Financial Statements 130
Appendix 6 - Functions and powers 162
Appendix 7 - General and scientific publications 165
Appendix 8 - Categories of documents held 172
Appendix 9 - Consultants 175
Appendix 10 - FSANZ representation 178
Appendix 11 - FSANZ Board members, attendance, qualifications and experience 184
Appendix 12 - FSANZ Strategy Map 2009-12 189
Acronyms and abbreviations 190
Index 192
CONTENTS 7
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Guide to the report
This report has been prepared following the requirements of the Commonwealth Authorities
and Companies Act 1997 and Section 152 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Act 1991.
The Chief Executive Officer *s review provides a perspective on the past year and an
outlook for the year ahead.
The Corporate overview provides a snapshot of our role and functions, how we are
organised and the processes involved in our decision making. It also provides a summary
of our financial performance.
Under Priorities and performance, we summarise the year *s activities against the key
strategic imperatives and performance measures identified in the FSANZ Corporate Plan
2009-12.
The main text of the report details outputs and outcomes in 2011 -12 under the four
strategic imperatives of our Corporate Plan * regulatory standards, stakeholder relationships,
people and organisational capability, and accountability.
Regulatory standards describes outputs associated with developing new standards or
varying existing standards. It also provides details of other activities that support regulatory
measures for the sale of food in Australia and New Zealand.
Stakeholder relationships documents our community consultation and communication
processes, including our engagement with stakeholders.
People and organisational capability reports on the ability of the agency to meet its
legislative responsibilities and on initiatives for fostering and encouraging a rewarding work
environment.
Accountability refers to our corporate governance arrangements and initiatives.
Appendixes to the report contain detailed information on a number of mandatory reporting
requirements and other areas of interest,
8 GUIDE TO THE REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Additional information
You can obtain information on the projects and activities described in this report
from the Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Lorraine Belanger,
on +61 2 6271 2147 or lorraine.belanger@foodstandards.gov.au. For information on the
FSANZ Annual Report 2011-12, please contact the managing editor, Dr Michael Dack,
on +61 2 6271 2239 or michael.dack@foodstandards.gov.au. An electronic version of
this report and other FSANZ publications can be accessed from the FSANZ website at
www.foodstandards.gov.au.
GUIDE TO THE REPORT 9
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Compliance index
The checklist below, based on the Report of Operations Schedule of the Commonwealth
Authorities and Companies (Report of Operations) Orders 2011, summarises FSANZ's
compliance with essential reporting requirements in this annual report.
Preliminaries
Director *s sign-off Yes Letter of transmittal 3
Subsidiaries included N/A
Operations
Legislation/objectives/Yes Corporate overview 17
functions
Our roles and priorities 94
Appendixes 1,2 and 6 104, 107
and 162
Name of Minister in financial year
Yes Corporate overview 17
Organisational structure Yes Corporate overview 20
and locations
Organisational structure
Review of operations and future prospects
Performance against targets in Yes Priorities and performance 21
Portfolio Budget Statements
Standards Development Work Plan 29
Appendixes 1 and 2 104 and
107
Risks, opportunities Yes Science Strategy 55
and strategies
Citizen involvement 66
Corporate risk management 99
Significant changes during 2011-12
Yes Regulatory standards 26
Financial results Yes Appendix 5 130
Corporate overview 17
Developments since 30 June 2011
Yes Throughout this annual report
10 COMPLIANCE INDEX
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Reviews
Judicial decisions and administrative tribunals Yes Appendix 2 107
Reports *Auditor-General, Parliamentary Committee, Ombudsman
Nil
Ministerial directions Yes Ministerial Council Reviews 36
Work requested by the Ministerial Council 37
Government policies Yes Government Response to COAG
Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy
12
Corporate Governance
Directors: names/meetings/ attendances Yes Appendix 11 184
Corporate governance practices Yes Corporate overview 17
Board committees (including Yes Finance, Audit and Risk 99
Audit) and attendance Management Committee
Indemnities and insurances Yes Indemnities and insurances 101
Financial statements Yes Appendix 5
Miscellaneous
Other matters in legislation Yes FSANZ Act (Corporate Overview) 17
FOI Act96
OH&S Act 86
Corporate Overview 17
National Disability Strategy Yes National Disability Strategy 87
Sustainable development Yes Sustainable development 82
COMPLIANCE INDEX 11
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Chief Executive Officer *s review
CEO Steve McCutcheon.
This past year, FSANZ marked its 20th anniversary with
an event at Old Parliament House in Canberra. The event,
held in August 2011, gave FSANZ an opportunity to bring
together stakeholders and regulatory partners to discuss
present issues, consider emerging issues and reflect on
the history of the agency. We were particularly pleased that
the Hon Catherine King was able to contribute from her
perspective as our Parliamentary Secretary.
A similar event in Wellington, New Zealand was hosted by the
New Zealand Minister for Food Safety, the Hon Kate Wilkinson,
who spoke very positively about fifteen years of trans-Tasman
cooperation in food regulation.
In its 20 years FSANZ has tackled some major regulatory challenges and 2011-12 has
proved no different.
During the year, the Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation assigned
responsibility to FSANZ for 21 of the 61 recommendations arising from the Government *s
Response to the Recommendations of Labelling Logic: Review of Food Labelling Law and
Policy (2011). These recommendations ask FSANZ to undertake a range of tasks including
providing technical evaluation and advice, doing cost benefit analyses, reviewing standards,
and preparing proposals.
We are now developing a work plan for these tasks, taking into account the Government *s
expectations, available resources, and other influencing factors. We anticipate that this work
will extend into 2015.
There is no doubt that the work will be complex, involving many regulatory disciplines,
including labelling, regulatory analysis, consumer and social sciences, risk assessment,
legal drafting and communication. We recognise the intrinsic value of meeting the expectations
of government ministers and the community. We will therefore divert resources, as necessary,
to ensure that we are able to keep to the timelines of our work plan. Fortunately, we have a
mature prioritisation process that will assist us in deferring or cancelling work of lower priority.
12 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER *S REVIEW
ANNUAL REPORT 201 1-2012
Longest seiving FSANZ staff member, Janine Lewis, cuts the anniversary cake with CEO Steve McCutcheon, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Catherine King, and FSANZ Board Chair, Philippa Smith.
Regulatory highlights
While small projects have the capacity to provide tangible benefits to the Australian and
New Zealand people, it is usually the larger and more complex (and sometimes controversial)
projects that stand out as 'highlights'.
For this reason, our continuing work on a regulatory framework for nutrition and health claims
is worth noting. At the request of the Forum on Food Regulation, we reviewed our proposals
to address *fat free * claims and conducted a round of public comment. The Forum will
consider our response to its review request in 2012-13.
The Forum also asked us to review our proposals to extend country-of-origin labelling
requirements to unpackaged meat products. Once FSANZ has examined the grounds
for the review request, we will proceed accordingly.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER *S REVIEW13
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
In 2011-12. we were particularly productive in developing food safety measures for the
primary industries, with primary production and processing standards being gazetted for seed
sprouts and certain semi-hard and hard-cooked cheeses made from raw (unpasteurised) milk.
We also made significant progress on standards for horticulture and meat and meat products,
the latter involving a review of minor meat species, such as emu and kangaroo.
We gazetted measures for food for special medical purposes in June 2012 and,
throughout the year, a number of foods or food ingredients requiring pre-market approval.
These included seven genetically modified foods. We also assigned a Category 1 status to
New Zealand after assessing food safety arrangements in that country for ensuring BSE-free
cattle herds. In addition, our staff conducted in-country inspections of BSE arrangements
in three other countries during the year.
Finally, mention should be made of an application requesting the approval of low-THC hemp
in food. Submissions received during the year * including from police and enforcement
agencies * raised a number of important issues, which we are considering. This has delayed
final consideration by the FSANZ Board until late 2012.
FSANZ staff
By the standards of the Australian Public Service, FSANZ is a small agency, with a workforce
rarely exceeding 150 people. Our size has advantages and disadvantages.
The problems associated with small agencies are well documented. They include the lack of
full career pathways, the difficulties of assimilating extra tasks into the work program without
additional resources, and the challenge of moving people from a small talent pool into areas
of highest priority in times of limited resources.
In addition, the effects of funding cuts and the concomitant flow-on to staffing levels and
workloads in 2011-12 may have been expected to result in a lowering of morale within the
agency. We explored this possibility in our 2012 staff survey, conducted by Orima Research,
and compared our results with those of other small APS agencies.
We were particularly interested in the overall satisfaction levels of our employees, their level
of engagement with FSANZ, and their loyalty and commitment to FSANZ.
Elsewhere is this report, we provide details of this biennial staff survey. For me, the highlights
were 86% of respondents being satisfied with FSANZ as an employer (APS small agency
average 75%) and an 82% job satisfaction level (APS 75%). These and some other results
were slightly down on our 2010 survey, which recorded exceptional levels of satisfaction.
14 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REVIEW
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Some 89% of staff were proud to tell others that they worked at FSANZ (APS 77%), while
82% recommended FSANZ as a good place to work (APS 68%). So, despite the difficulties
that we experienced during the year, morale and commitment appear to be high, and this is
reflected in an employee retention rate of more than 92%.
Within these pleasing results, however, lie a few areas requiring action from management and
staff. For example, lower satisfaction levels were recorded in the APS5/6 cohort of staff this
year, compared to the rest of the agency. We intend to work with this cohort (about a quarter
of the agency) to understand the reasons for this anomaly and take steps to remove it.
Other events of note include the retirement of Dr Andrew Bartholomaeus from the position of
General Manager Risk Assessment. Dr Bartholomaeus came to FSANZ from the Therapeutic
Goods Administration more than four years ago. His contribution to the leadership team has
been considerable and he leaves us with the respect and good wishes of his colleagues.
On a more personal note, the Board formally approved my re-appointment as Chief Executive
Officer for another four years. I have appreciated the support and guidance provided by
the Board since my commencement with FSANZ in 2007 and look forward to working with
members on the many challenges that I am sure will come our way.
Stakeholders
In 2011-12 FSANZ conducted a Stakeholder Survey as a follow-up to the 2009 survey of
opinion leaders among our consumer, industry, public health and government stakeholder
groups. This survey confirmed the high regard in which FSANZ is held by our stakeholders
and a growing awareness of, and appreciation for, initiatives that the agency has put in place
to reach out to its stakeholders.
These surveys are an invaluable resource for management and have an added benefit
of letting our staff and the community know that we have a genuine goal of meeting their
expectations, as far as is practicable.
Their value is not so much in confirming our successes, but in identifying the areas where
we can do better.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER *S REVIEW 15
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Concluding remarks
This is the fifth time I have reviewed FSANZ *s work for the annual report. Each time, I have
commented on the extensive support given to the executive team by the staff and the
outstanding leadership provided by the FSANZ Board. This year is no exception.
I am indebted to the support freely given to me by Ms Philippa Smith AM, our Board chair,
and by individual members of the Board. By necessity, the Board operates at an arm's
length from the staff. Within that governance constraint, however, staff and the Board work
well together. This ensures the Board is fully informed on all decisions that are made for the
good of the community.
This annual report for 2011-12 is a record of another year of significant progress in food
regulation.
STEVE MCCUTCHEON
Chief Executive Officer
16 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REVIEW
ANNUAL REPORT 201 1-2012
Corporate overview
Highlights
In 2011-12 FSANZ:
" gazetted 18 applications and four proposals to amend the Australia New Zealand
Food Standards Code, including approval for seven GM foods; a proposal on food
for special medical purposes, and primary production and processing standards
for seed sprouts and hard-cooked raw milk cheeses
" consulted with the community on two matters raised by the Forum on Food
Regulation associated with the proposed nutrition and health claims standard
" conducted or planned community consultations on food safety measures for
the horticulture industry and for industry concerned with minor meat species
(e.g. buffalo, antelope) and wild game (e.g. kangaroo)
" assigned a category 1 BSE status to New Zealand, indicating a negligible likelihood
of the BSE agent entering the national cattle herd, and carried out in-country
verifications of Croatia, The Netherlands and Vanuatu
" coordinated responses to raw apricot kernels and DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine)
in sports foods under the National Food Incident Response Protocol
" conducted eight surveys of chemicals in the food supply as part of FSANZ *s
ongoing program of monitoring hazards in food
" established an Allergen Collaboration to improve, through non-regulatory means,
how food allergen risks are managed and to help consumers with a food allergy
to make safer choices
" collaborated with the Australian Bureau of Statistics, under a three-year contract,
to prepare the nutrient database for the National Nutrition and Physical Activity
Sun/ey component of the Australian Health Sutvey
" operated a Code Interpretation Service to provide interpretive guidance on food
. standards in chapters 1 and 2 of the Food Standards Code to ail food industry
stakeholders on a fee-for-service basis.
CORPORATE OVERVIEW 17
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
FSANZ *s operating environment
Key information
Establishment " National Food Authority (Australia only) 1991
" Australia New Zealand Food Authority 1996
" Food Standards Australia New Zealand 2001
Government The Hon Catherine King MR Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing) oversight Chair, COAG Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation
Chair, FSANZ Board Ms Philippa Smith AM
Chief Executive Officer Mr Steve McCutcheon
FSANZ staff (30 June 2012)
138 employees (ongoing and non-ongoing), located in Canberra and Wellington offices
Funding 2011-12 Australian Government appropriation - $19.94m (Portfolio Budget Statement) Other-$2.78m
Food regulator/ system " policy development (Forum on Food Regulation) " standards setting (FSANZ)
" enforcement (states, territories, New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, DAFF Biosecurity, local government)
Legislative responsibilities
Enabling Act of Parliament Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991
Section 18 objectives ( *core * objectives applied to FSANZ *s regulatory measures function)
" protection of public health and safety
" provision of adequate information to consumers
" prevention of misleading or deceptive conduct
Section 18 objectives ('have regard to * objectives applied to FSANZ *s regulatory measures function)
* need for [food] standards to be based on risk analysis using the best available scientific evidence
" promotion of consistency between domestic and international food standards
* desirability of an efficient and internationally competitive food industry
" promotion of fair trading in food
Treaty between Australia and New Zealand
agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand concerning a Joint Food Standards System
18 CORPORATE OVERVIEW
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Structure and processes
Organisational structure See organisation chart on page 20
Governance " 12-person Board (three members nominated by the New Zealand Government)
" Operates under the FSANZ Act and the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997
" Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee reports to the Board on financial, accountability, internal audit and compliance systems
Corporate planning " Corporate Plan 2009-12
" Business Plan 2011 -12
" Portfolio Budget Statement (Health and Ageing portfolio)
" FSANZ Strategy Map - see Appendix 12
Contribution to Program 1.1 of the Department of Health and Ageing
Outcome: A safe food supply and well informed consumers in Australia and New Zealand, including through the development of food regulatory measures and the promotion of their consistent implementation, coordination of food recall activities and the monitoring of consumer and industry food practices
Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
Any individual or organisation can apply to amend the Code. FSANZ can also Initiate changes to the Code, usually to protect public safety or assist in addressing issues of long-term public health importance. The latter are normally requested by the Forum on Food Regulation.
Application Handbook - part 3 only (by legislative instrument)
Contains details of information required by FSANZ for the assessment of applications to amend the Code
Assessment of applications and proposals to amend
the Food Standards Code
" General procedure (nine months to complete assessment) - one round of public consultation
" Minor procedure (three months to complete assessment) - limited consultation with government agencies only and, if relevant, affected parties â‘
" Major procedure (12 months to complete assessment) - two or more rounds of public consultation
FSANZ risk analysis process " Risk assessment - determining the likelihood and severity of hazards " Risk management - identifying measures to minimise the risk
" Risk communication - ensuring stakeholders are aware of, and understand, the risk being addressed and the control measures
Food recall process FSANZ coordinates a national food recall system for Australia, in association with the states and territories and the food industry
National Food Incident Response Protocol FSANZ coordinates an integrated, whole-of-government response for incidents involving food sold within two or more Australian jurisdictions
Summary of financial performance 2011-12
Financial outcome Operating revenue - $22.533m
Operating expenses - $23.022m
Certificate of Compliance 2011-12 Certificate of Compliance sent to the Department of Finance and Deregulation before 15 October, as required
CORPORATE OVERVIEW 19
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
FSANZ organisation structure at 30 June 2012
Steve McCutcheon
Chief Executive Officer
I
Paul Brent
Chief Scientist
Amanda McNamara A/g
Executive Assistant
Leanne Laajoki
Scientific Strategy, International & Surveillance
Dorothy Mackerras
Chief Public Health Nutrition Advisor
Janis Baines
Food Composition, Evaluation & Modelling
Felicia Nash
Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer
Kerry Messner
Corporate Executive Assistant
Andrew
Barthoiomaeus
General Manager Risk Assessment
Shelley Corkery
Executive Assistant
Utz Mueller
Risk Assessment - Chemical Safety
Duncan Craig
Risk Assessment - Microbiology
(vacant)
Risk Assessment - Public Health Nutrition
Scott Crerar
Risk Assessment - Production Process
Melanie Fisher
Deputy Chief Executive Officer General Manager Food Standards
(Canberra)
Treza Jensen
Executive Assistant
Steve Crossley
Food Safety
Janine Lewis
Public Health Nutrition Standards
Trevor Webb
Behaviour & Regulatory Analysis
Michael Dack
Innovation & Reform
Tony Singer
Operations
Amanda Hill
Principal Advisor Food Safety
John Astridge
Chief Information Officer
Dean Stockwell
General Manager Food Standards (Wellington)
Maureen Wempe
Executive Assistant
Jenny Hazelton
Labelling & Information Standards
Leigh Henderson
Product Safety Standards
Audrey Gormley
Chief Finance Officer
Peter May
General Manager Legal & Regulatory Affairs
Debra Fletcher
Executive Assistant
Owen Walsh
Office of Legal Counsel
Cathie Humphries
Regulatory Affairs & Parliamentary
Lorraine Belanger
Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
Danielle Wickman
Strategy & Audit
20 CORPORATE OVERVIEW
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Priorities and performance 2011-12
We have summarised our activities against the performance information for FSANZ
contained in the Portfolio Budget Statements 20*ä*ä-*ä2: Health and Ageing Portfolio.
More detailed accounts of projects and services appear later in this report.
Outcomes
FSANZ *s reporting outcomes are linked with those of the Department of Health and Ageing,
in particular, the Department *s Outcome 1 * Population Health. FSANZ *s contribution to the
departmental outcome is through Program 1.1: Food regulatory activity and services to the
Minister and Parliament.
Department of Health and Ageing
Outcome 1: A reduction in the incidence of preventable mortality and morbidity in Australia, including through regulation and national initiatives that support healthy lifestyles and disease prevention
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Program 1,1: A safe food supply and well-informed consumers in Australia and New Zealand, including through the development of food regulatory measures and the promotion of their consistent implementation, coordination of food recall activities and the monitoring of consumer and industry food practices
Through Program 1.1 the Australian Government aims to:
" manage the development and maintenance of effective evidence-based food
standards contributing to the provision of a safe food supply
" ensure effective engagement with regulatory partners in implementing these
standards to protect the health and safety of consumers
" strengthen engagement with industry, consumers and the general community
to increase awareness of the food regulatory system.
PRIORITIES AND PERFORMANCE 2011-12 21
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Performance
Deliverables
As described in the Portfolio Budget Statements, FSANZ has overall responsibility for the
deliverables that contribute to Program 1.1. In 2011-12 FSANZ achieved the following
performance against the qualitative and quantitative deliverables:
Develop improved templates New assessmentTemplates developed, for evidence-based templates, reports and approved and implemented
applications and proposals decision papers approved and implemented
Develop primary and The primary production Primary production and 42
production standard and processing standard processing standard for for seed sprouts for seed sprouts is finalised seed sprouts gazetted
Develop Foods for Special Foods for Special Medical Standard for foods for 39 Medical Purposes standard Purposes standard is special medical purposes finalised gazetted
Manage the National Food Deliver an efficientTwo incidents managed 46 Incident Response Protocol and effective incident under the Protocol; management process Protocol arrangements through the National Food reviewed
Incident Response Protocol and conduct a review of the protocol in 2011-12
Participate in the FSANZ to participate in Completed development 12
implementation of the the implementation of the of FSANZ work program as whole-of-government Australian Government part of the implementation response to the response to the
Labelling Logic report Labelling Logic report
Stakeholders participate in Stakeholders participate FSANZ supported a range 66 food standards development in standards development of advisory and expert through avenues such committees, the FSANZ as regular consultative Fellows program and an
committees, stakeholder inclusive submissions engagement forums and mechanism submissions on draft standards
Provide interpretation Establish Central Established, maintained 70
service through the Central Interpretive Advice and promoted the Code Interpretive Advice function operations and Interpretation Service for for chapters 1 and 2 of the provide advice industry and government
Food Standards Code agencies
22 PRIORITIES AND PERFORMANCE 2011-12
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Statutory timeframes are met for all regulatory measures 100% 87%
(13 out of 15 applications) (Appendix 2)
107
Percentage of BSE risk assessments completed within designated timeframes
100% 100%
(4 desk assessments completed within timeframes)
45
Number of international forums attended by FSANZ >29 36 (Appendix 10) 178
Number of Consumer and Public Ffealth Dialogue face-to-face meetings conducted annually
3 3 meetings held in 2011-12 67
Number of fact sheets developed and available on FSANZ website
>8 Revised >50 consumer
fact sheets and published several new fact sheets
165
Number of foreign language consumer information videos available from FSANZ *s website
>8 14 food safety videos in
each of 8 languages
71
Key performance indicators
The following key performance indicators measure the impact of Program 1.1:
Maintain confidence in FSANZ scientific capabilities Maintain FSANZ *s reputation for scientific expertise,
benchmarked against the 2009 ANOP research of FSANZ opinion leaders
Follow-up 2012 survey showed same, high regard for FSANZ science
15, 65
Enhanced data-based risk analysis capabilities through developing an integrated data
mining, storage, processing, analysis and reporting platform
Overall evaluation of the dietary modelling and nutrition databases review project indicates an
enhanced platform for data mining, storage, processing analysis and reporting
Overall evaluation of the risk analysis process indicates that there has been increased efficiencies from the rollout
of the software platform
Phase 1 of the dietary 56 modelling and nutrition databases review project was close to completion in June 2012
Evaluation of the Phase 1 platform indicates that there will be increased efficiencies
PRIORITIES AND PERFORMANCE 2011-12 23
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Enhanced public confidence Evaluation of compliance 2012 Stakeholder survey 15, in food incident and recall with the National Food showed high level of public 65 management Incident and Recall confidence in the safety of
Protocols through the triennial review of the protocols shows improved performance of food incident management
food in Australia
Improved public access Evaluation of FSANZ's Increase in Facebook 72
to information about food Twitter, Facebook and followers to 3,600, standards and regulation YouTube presence indicates improved public access to food standards
information
Twitter to nearly 2,000
Enhanced stakeholder Evaluation of targeted 2012 stakeholder survey 65
consultation web-based consultation rated FSANZ *s stakeholder
results in enhanced engagement strategies stakeholder consultation highly)
Percentage of applications and proposals prepared which meet statutory timelines
100% 87%
(13 out of 15 applications) (Appendix 2)
107
Number of bovine spongiform encephalopathy risk assessments completed
s5 Assigned Category 1
status to New Zealand Additional 3 in-country visits undertaken
45
Compliance rate of FSANZ with the National Food Incident Response and Food
Recall Protocols
100% 100%
(two incidents successfully managed through the Protocol)
46
Number of stakeholders communicated with through the FSANZ Information Resister
>5,000 7,350 subscribers
to the register
24 PRIORITIES AND PERFORMANCE 2011-12
CHAPTER 1
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Regulatory standards
Strategic imperative
" enhancing the quality of regulatory standards
Objectives
" clear, easy to understand standards
" standards soundly based on evidence
" standards that anticipate innovation and new technologies
Outcomes
" ready acceptance of standards by jurisdictions and industry
" easier implementation by jurisdictions and industry
" standards that are useful to consumers (understandable and beneficial)
Highlights
In 2011-12 FSANZ:
" gazetted 18 applications and four proposals to amend the Australia New Zealand
Food Standards Code, including approval for seven GM foods; a food for special
medical purposes proposal, and primary production and processing standards for
seed sprouts and hard-cooked raw milk cheeses
" notified the Forum on Food Regulation of our proposals to extend country of origin
labelling to sheep, beef and chicken unpackaged meat products; received a request
that FSANZ review the draft standard
" held public consultations on an application to approve the use of Iow-TFIC hemp
as a food, and analysed submissions from police and other enforcement agencies
" consulted with the community on two matters raised by the Forum on Food
Regulation associated with the proposed nutrition and health claims standard
26 REGULATORY STANDARDS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
" conducted or planned community consultations on food safety measures for
the horticulture industry and for industry concerned with minor meat species
(e.g. buffalo, antelope) and wild game (e.g. kangaroo)
" assigned a category 1 BSE status to New Zealand, indicating a negligible likelihood
of the BSE agent entering the national cattle herd, and carried out in-country
verifications of Croatia, The Netherlands and Vanuatu
" coordinated a national response to incidents involving raw apricot kernels and
DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine) in sports foods under the National Food Incident
Response Protocol
" assessed the potential zoonotic hazards and risks arising from dogs in outdoor
dining areas, found negligible risk to humans, and started work to remove the
prohibition from the Food Standards Code
" conducted eight surveys of chemicals in the food supply as part of FSANZ *s
ongoing program of monitoring hazards in food.
Introduction
It is no accident that Australia and New Zealand have one of the safest food supplies in
the world.
This is partly due to the relatively high standards of education and prosperity in our two
countries and rigorous quality controls applied by industry. But one of the main reasons
we enjoy safe food is the willingness of national, state and territory and New Zealand
governments to adopt regulation through the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
Regulation is necessary because keeping food safe is no longer a matter of scraping the
mould off cheese or avoiding rhubarb leaves, as it was in the past. Our knowledge of
contaminants and pathogens that exist in food has now reached the point where we can
target regulations to specific foods and food handling practices.
We can, for example, detect chemicals in foods to parts per billion. We can study a food
production process, from farm to fork, and identify where in the chain microbiological
hazards are introduced. We can give special attention to the well-being of vulnerable groups,
such as babies, pregnant women and the elderly, making sure the levels of safety that we
determine provide protection.
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Since FSANZ *s predecessor, the National Food Authority, was established in 1991, we have
existed to develop food standards for Australia and, from 1996, for New Zealand as well.
These regulatory standards have the force of law. They are enforced by jurisdictional
agencies in Australia and New Zealand in a food regulatory system that has the interests of
consumers and the food industry at its heart. Above all, the regulatory system has a zero
tolerance for unsafe food. Consumers expect absolute safety and industry has reputational
reasons for meeting this expectation. About 98% of food recalls in Australia in 2011-12
were initiated by food companies as a result of their monitoring programs.
FSANZ also considers non-regulatory interventions, such as education campaigns, when a
food issue emerges or an application is received to amend the Food Standards Code.
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has a deregulation agenda implemented
by the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR). In deciding on a level of regulatory
intervention, FSANZ recommends the minimum regulation necessary to achieve the stated
public health and safety objectives. For major projects, our recommendations are reviewed
by the OBPR. As a general rule, the costs to the community of additional regulation should
be outweighed by the benefits of the measures.
Another requirement, under the FSANZ Act, is that we should use the best available science
to underpin our regulatory decisions.
This is particularly important not only to establish the benefits of regulation, but also to
remove, as far as possible, any subjectivity in our decision making. Using well-established
and internationally recognised risk analysis processes, we achieve a consistency of
approach that brings certainty to the food industry and a transparency to the community.
Consultation on major pieces of work is a major part of this transparency.
Finally, food standards must be approved by the Legislative and Governance Forum on
Food Regulation, an intergovernmental council of food ministers. The Forum creates the
policy for the food regulatory system and forms part of the checks and balances in the
system to ensure the interests of all sectors of society are considered.
The Food Standards Code, therefore, stands as a rigorously researched set of regulatory
standards that have been adopted, in part, by a number of other countries. These standards
are testimony to twenty years of evolution. They will continue to evolve in line with consumer
expectations and the innovative practices of the food industry.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Summary of food regulatory activity
Applications and Proposals gazetted 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
We gazetted (published) 18 variations to food standards arising from applications
(11 in 2010-11) and four variations were made from proposals (five in 2010-11).
See Appendix 1 for details.
Amendments to the FSANZ Application Handbook
Under section 23 of the FSANZ Act, FSANZ can make guidelines setting out mandatory
information and format requirements that applications must include. If these requirements
are not met, an application can be rejected.
These mandatory requirements are contained in Part 3 of the FSANZ Application Handbook.
The latest amendments to the handbook took effect on 1 August 2011. Work has started
on the next set of amendments, including additional requirements on health and nutrition
claims and other miscellaneous changes. Public comment will be sought on any proposed
amendments.
Standards Development Work Plan
Applications received, or proposals prepared before 1 October 2007 continue to be assessed
under procedures in place at that time. The tables on the next page reflect the information for
procedures carried out before and after that date.
Table 1 shows the number of applications, proposals and potential proposals on the Work
Plan (received or prepared before 1 October 2007), as at 30 June 2012, in all work plan
groups. Table 2 shows the number of applications and proposals received or prepared from
1 October 2007 onwards on the Work Plan.
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Table 1: Applications and proposals on the Work Plan (received or prepared before
1 October 2007)
Group 1 8 7 6 5
Group 2 9 5 5 4
Group 3 1 0 0 0
Under review 1 1 1 1
TOTAL 19 13 12 10
With the Forum 3 0 0 0
or awaiting notification to the Forum
Estimated waiting 12 months Only 4 Only 4 Only 3
time Group 2 applications applications applications
remain with remain with remain with
assessment work assessment work assessment work to commence to commence to commence
- 3 are to be - 3 are to be - 2 are to be
considered as considered as considered as part of a new part of a new part of a new
proposal on raw proposal on raw proposal on raw milk products.milk products.milk products.
Group 1 is for applications or proposals raising health and safety issues being progressed
as a priority or identified by jurisdictions as warranting priority.
Group 2 is for unpaid applications or proposals placed on a three-year rolling Work Plan
scheduled for commencement in order of receipt.
Group 3 was for paid applications.
30 REGULATORY STANDARDS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Table 2: Applications and proposals on the Work Plan (received or prepared from
1 October 2007 onwards)*
General 15 17 14 14
Procedure (8 paid) (5 paid) (7 paid) (4 paid)
Minor Procedure 0 0 0 1
Major Procedure 5 8 9 6
(2 paid) (4 paid) (5 paid) (1 paid)
Urgent applications or proposals
0 1 0 0
Under Review 0 0 0 1
TOTAL 20 25 23 22
With the Forum or awaiting notification to the Forum
2 4 3 3
Estimated waiting 9 months 9 months 6 months 2 months
time for unpaid applications 24 months for labelling
applications
At least 24 months for labelling applications
(approx.)
* This does not include potential applications and proposals for which an Administrative Assessment has commenced, but not yet completed as these have not yet been placed on the Work Plan.
FSANZ procedures
Applications and proposals are assessed under different procedures depending on range
of factors. The different procedures are outlined below.
The general procedure applies to all applications or proposals unless they fit into one of
the categories described below.
The minor procedure applies to applications or proposals for varying a food regulatory
measure that, if made, would not directly or indirectly impose, vary or remove an obligation
on any person; or create, vary or remove a right of any person; or otherwise alter the legal
effect of the measure.
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The major procedure applies to applications or proposals that involve such scientific or
technical complexity that it is necessary to adopt this procedure in considering it; or involve
such a significant change to the scope of the food regulatory measure that it is necessary
to adopt this procedure in considering it.
Urgent applications or proposals are considered urgent under Division 4 of the FSANZ
Act. Under these provisions, FSANZ is required to assess the variation to the Code within
12 months of the date of effect of the gazetted variation. FSANZ may then either re-affirm
its original decision or prepare a proposal for a further variation or replacement variation.
Table 3: Total applications received and accepted onto the Work Plan and proposals
prepared
Applications 14 21 9 11
Proposals 4 5 2 9
TOTAL 18 26 11 20
Table 4: Applications and proposals finalised (including applications rejected at
Administrative Assessment)
Final assessments made by the 10 2 1 1
FSANZ Board
Approvals made by the FSANZ Board 8 12 16 19
Applications withdrawn or rejected* 16 9 6 3
or removed from the Work Plan
Proposals abandoned
TOTAL completed 34 23 23 23
Applications or proposals gazetted 25 14 16 22
Collections of editorial notes gazetted 2 0 0 0
* This includes applications rejected at Administrative Assessment.
32 REGULATORY STANDARDS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-201 2
Further information on the above can be obtained from Appendix 2. There may be some
discrepancies between table 4 and table 6 (below) if decisions have been made in one
financial year and the notification of that decision is made in the next financial year.
Table 5 provides information about significant variations from timeframes established in
the FSANZ Work Plan for consideration of applications and proposals in 2011-12.
Table 5: Reasons for delays in consideration of applications and proposals
A1038 - Irradiation of Persimmons Gazettal 12 months Federal Court application.
A1039-Low THC Hemp as a Food (Unpaid)
Assessment 8 months An additional round of public comment was sought prior to the assessment being completed due to the complexity of issues raised by the application. The complexity of issues raised by submitters necessitated a further delay to evaluate issues.
Approval 20 months +Public comment on the draft variation to the Code raised issues which require additional consideration before a final decision can be made by the FSANZ Board. In particular, more information on the potential cost impact on food and law enforcement agencies, the potential for consumption of hemp foods to interfere with saliva THC testing results and whether industry could achieve lower THC
levels in hemp foods than the maximum levels proposed by FSANZ, are required.
A1055-ShorTchain Fructo-Assessment Clock stopped for 2 months
Request for further information from Applicant.
oligosaccharides
Clock stopped for 3 months Request for further information from Applicant.
1 st call for submissions 5.5 mths +A new Ministerial Policy Guideline for the Regulation of Infant Formula has expanded
the scope and complexity of the assessment. FSANZ has taken additional time to assess the issues raised and to have regard to the Guideline due to the vulnerability of the target population and stakeholder interest.
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A1059- Assessment Clock stopped Request for further information from Applicant.
Exclusive Use of Pectin-derived Oligosaccharides
for 12 months
P1004 - Primary Approval 16 months Complex assessment and significant
Production & changes to existing measures requiring
Processing Standard for Seed Sprouts
extensive consultation with affected parties.
P1005 - Primary Preparation 29 months + On hold while a new proposal on minor
Production & of draft food species was prepared and a 1 st call for
Processing regulatory submissions held. Both proposals will then
Standard for Meatmeasure be progressed together.
& Meat Products
Concerns with the potential regulatory gap for animal welfare issues which need to be addressed.
P1007 - Primary Preparation 20 months Technical work needed to progress Production & of draft food category 2 raw milk products. This work
Processing regulatory will now be done under a new proposal.
Requirements for measure Raw Milk Products Approval 21 months
P1011 - Country of Approval 18.5 months Need for significant work on the Regulation Origin Labelling - Impact Statement which required input from
Unpackaged Meat external consultancies. Also, as ministers
Products requested that this be discussed at a
face-to-face meeting, the final decision had to be delayed to allow this to occur.
P298 - Benzoate Draft 6 yrs + Need for updated dietary exposure data
& Sulphite Assessmentand assessments. Extensive consultations Permissions in Food with relevant industry stakeholders have
also been required.
34 REGULATORY STANDARDS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Table 6: Status of remaining applications and proposals received or prepared before
1 October 2007
A530 - Permission for English Farmhouse Cheddar made from Raw Milk
12/2/2004 Assessment indefinitely delayed - issues to be considered as part of a new proposal on raw milk products
A531 - Use of Raw Milk in Cheese Production
16/2/2004 Assessment indefinitely delayed - issues to be considered as part of a new proposal on raw milk products
A576 - Labelling of Alcoholic Beverages with a Pregnancy Health Advisory Label
17/2/2006 FSANZ has delayed further assessment following the decision by the Forum to accept the recommendation of the Review of Labeli ng Law and Policy which allows a period of two years for industry to adopt voluntary initiatives
A613 - Definitions for Nutritive Substance & Nutritive Ingredient
21/8/2007 On hold pending advice from the Applicant and progression of a separate review of nutritive substances and novels foods
P235 - Review of Food-type Dietary Supplements
10/5/2001 Unknown - on hold pending completion of related work
P236 - Sports Foods 10/5/2001 Unknown - on hold pending completion of related work
P274 - Labelling Minimum Age for Infant Foods
1/3/2003 Unknown - on hold pending NHMRC review of dietary and infant feeding guidelines
P290 - Food Safety Programs for Catering Operations to the General Public
10/2/2004 FSANZ will recommence work on this Proposal in the last quarter of 2012
P298 - Benzoate & Sulphite Permissions in Food
6/6/2005 Unknown - reason for delay addressed in Table 5
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Ministerial Council reviews
Requests for review from the Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation,
acting as the Ministerial Council, must be supported by a majority of members, that is,
six out of 10. More details on the review process are available in Appendix 3.
Table 7: Notification outcomes
Final assessment decisions notified 10 2 1 1
Approval decisions notified 8 11 15 23
Requests for review 8 (44%) 1 (8%) 0 (0%) 1 (4%)
1 st Review decisions notified 8 3 N/AN/A
Requests for 2nd review 0 0 N/A N/A
* Rgures in this column may differ from those provided in the previous year *s annual report as review requests may be received by FSANZ after the deadline for publication.
Under the 2008 Inter-Governmental Food Regulation Agreement, ministers can only request
reviews of FSANZ decisions based on one or more of the following criteria:
(i) it is not consistent with existing policy guidelines set by the Ministerial Council
(ii) it is not consistent with the objectives of the legislation which establishes FSANZ
(iii) it does not protect public health and safety
(iv) it does not promote consistency between domestic and international food standards
where these are at variance
(v) it does not provide adequate information to enable informed choice
(vi) it is difficult to enforce or comply with in both practical or resource terms
(vii) it places an unreasonable cost burden on industry or consumers.
One request for a review was received in 2011-12, the first since October 2009. The request
for a review on a decision to extend country of origin labelling to unpackaged beef, sheep and
chicken meat was based on criteria (i), (v), (vi) and (vii).
36 REGULATORY STANDARDS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Ministerial Council policy guidelines
The Australian Government, states, territories and the New Zealand Government are
generally represented by their health ministers (as lead ministers) on the COAG Legislative
and Governance Forum on Food Regulation, convening as the Australia and New Zealand
Food Regulation Ministerial Council. Other ministers from relevant portfolios such as
agriculture, industry, or consumer affairs also participate on the Ministerial Council to ensure
a whole-of-government approach to food regulation.
FSANZ must have regard to any written policy guidelines formulated by the Ministerial
Council and notified to FSANZ for these purposes. We were notified of a Policy Guideline
on Food Safety Management for General Food Service and Closely Related Retail Sectors
on 13 February 2012 (Appendix 2).
Additional work requested by the Ministerial Council
No additional work was requested by the Ministerial Council.
Administrative and judicial review of FSANZ decisions
Conjugated linoleic acid triglycerides (CLA)
In June 2011, Cognis GmbH via Axiome Pty Ltd applied to the AAT for a review of a FSANZ
decision to reject its application for approval for specific brands of CLA preparations as novel foods.
The matter has been listed by the AAT for hearing in July 2012.
Irradiation of persimmons
In September 2011, GeneEthics Pty Ltd and The Safe Food Institute Ltd applied to the
Federal Court seeking a review of FSANZ *s decision to approve a draft variation to Standard 1.5.3
to allow the irradiation of persimmons as a quarantine measure.
The Federal Court heard the application for judicial review on 14 November 2011. The court's
decision has been reserved. FSANZ is restrained from taking any action in relation to the draft
variation in question until the decision is handed down.
Genetically modified food
In February 2012, GE Free New Zealand in Food and Environment applied to the AAT for a
review of FSANZ *s decision to approve variations to Standard 1.5.2 to permit the sale and use
of food derived from specific genetically modified lines of soybean and corn.
The AAT dismissed the application for review on 11 May 2012.
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Corporate governance
Internal and external scrutiny
An applicant seeking to develop or vary a food standard may, under the FSANZ Act, ask the
Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) to review a FSANZ decision to reject the application.
A request may also be made to the AAT to review a FSANZ decision to omit a step or steps
in the assessment process prescribed by the Act or to abandon a proposal to develop or vary
a food standard. One application for review was made to the AAT during this financial year.
The Administrative Decisions Judicial Review Act 1975 (Cth) provides that a person aggrieved
by a decision of FSANZ, such as a decision to develop or vary a food standard, may apply
to the Federal Court for judicial review of that decision. One application for judicial review
was made to the Federal Court during the year.
Standards development
Applications and proposals
Genetically modified foods
Regulatory milestone 2011-12 Gazetted the inclusion of five GM soy varieties and two GM corn varieties Into the Food Standards Code
To date, 53 GM foods have been approved for sale in Australia and New Zealand, comprising
72 separate lines. Canola, corn, cotton, lucerne, potato, rice, soybean and sugarbeet continue
to be the only potential sources of GM food in the Australian and New Zealand food supply.
While field trials of other GM plant species, including wheat, are being conducted, FSANZ does
not anticipate that regulatory approval will be sought for the release of these species into the
food supply for some years. We have not received any applications for food derived from a
GM animal.
Including an approved GM food in the Code does not necessarily mean the food is presently
being sold in Australia and New Zealand, especially when approvals were given some years
ago. The first GM food approvals were made in 2000 and it is likely that the lines involved have
been superseded or may have been commercially unsuccessful and removed from circulation.
FSANZ does not monitor which particular approved foods are currently in the food supply.
38 REGULATORY STANDARDS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Case study: FSANZ *s risk assessment process at work (GM foods)
Companies that develop a GM food are responsible for demonstrating the safety
of that food. They must supply FSANZ with the raw data from scientific studies
to prove the safety of the food. The information must be obtained using sound
scientific methods and be collected according to strict quality control criteria.
This procedure is similar to that used for new chemicals and drugs, as well as for
any substances e.g. food additives, processing aids and nutritive substances
(GM or non-GM), that may be added to foods.
This is standard practice for regulatory agencies around the world. We review
the scientific information and form our own conclusions from the results of the
studies. We can, and do, ask companies to do additional studies, where necessary.
In addition, we complement the company data with information from the scientific
literature, other applications and other government agencies.
The safety assessment report generated by FSANZ may also be evaluated by
independent experts; this provides additional assurance of our scientific capacity
and integrity. During the public consultation phase of the assessment of a GM food,
anyone can view and comment on both the company data and the scientific report
produced by FSANZ. This assessment process ensures that we receive valid data
of high quality, from a range of sources, during the course of the assessment.
Food for special medical purposes
Regulatory milestone 2011-12 Standard 2.9.5 gazetted in June 2012
Foods for special medical purposes (FSMP) are products formulated for people with
particular medical conditions, whose nutritional needs cannot be met by a conventional diet.
They include formulated products intended for use as the only source of nutrition, as well as
specialised supplementary formulated products. A Standard was needed because the Code
could not fully accommodate the specific composition and labelling requirements of FSMP.
The Standard includes labelling requirements, such as the need to state the product *s dietary
purpose and that it is to be used under medical supervision. It also restricts the sale of these
foods to healthcare outlets that have the capacity to provide advice on the appropriate use
of the product.
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Because the FSMP market in Australia and New Zealand involves a high proportion of imported
products from international companies manufacturing in Europe and the United States, the new
Standard had the potential to increase the regulatory burden and could possibly impede or
disrupt supply of some products to a vulnerable consumer group. FSANZ therefore designed
the standard to harmonise with European or United States regulations as much as possible.
The Standard also exempts FSMP from several requirements of the Code due to the specialised
nature of these products.
Low THC hemp
Regulatory milestone 2011-12 Public consultation on FSANZ Assessment Report in November 2011
FSANZ continued to assess an application to permit the use of low THC hemp foods in
Australia and New Zealand. Hemp is a type of Cannabis sativa that contains little or no delta
9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) *the active component of cannabis associated with psychotropic
effects. At present, the Code prohibits all cannabis species from being used as food.
Low THC hemp is not considered to have psychotropic effects because it contains very low
levels of THC. FSANZ conducted a safety assessment of hemp foods and did not identify
any health and safety concerns resulting from their consumption. However, a number of
other complex issues were raised during assessment. During public consultation we received
submissions from consumers, industry and other government agencies (including police).
The complexity of issues raised has resulted in delays in completing our assessment of this
application. We will continue assessing the application during the second half of 2012.
Microbiological limits in food
Regulatory milestone 2011-12 Review of Standard 1.6.1 commenced in March 2012
Significant developments in food safety management have occurred since the incorporation
of microbiological limits into the Code in 2000. A number of industry and jurisdictional
stakeholders have requested that FSANZ review these limits. This review will consider the
role of regulatory limits in protecting public health, particularly in the context of current
preventative food safety measures.
Given the size, diversity and complexity of the issues raised, the review of microbiological limits
in the Code will be conducted in several stages. We have raised a proposal to undertake the
first stage, which will assess microbiological criteria for L. monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods.
The first call for submissions is due for July 2012.
40 REGULATORY STANDARDS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Addition of substances to food
During the year, FSANZ finalised 13 applications seeking to add substances to food.
These applications generally fell into two categories. The first category involved requests to
amend existing permissions, e.g. allowing the additive sodium carboxymethylcellulose to be
used in wine as an alternative method for tartrate crystal control; and increasing the maximum
permitted level of steviol glycosides in specific foods in order to improve the taste profile.
The second category involved requests to add new additives to the Code e.g. calcium
lignosulphonate to incorporate fat soluble vitamins and carotenoids into water-based foods;
advantame as a new intense sweetener and several different enzymes to assist in various
food processing techniques. Additionally, FSANZ has considered its first application for the
use of a bacteriophage preparation for the control of Listeria in certain ready-to-eat foods.
FSANZ has also been considering appropriate limits for residues in packaged water,
in support of an application to align the Code with the World Health Organization guidelines
for packaged water.
Food labelling
Nutrition and health claims
Regulatory milestone 2011-12 Public consultation in February 2012 on two matters identified by the Forum on Food Regulation
In June 2008, the then Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council
requested a review of draft Standard 1.2.7 - Nutrition, Health and Related Claims. Due to
the overlap between the review and the recommendations from the independent review of
Food Labelling Law and Policy, ministers extended the timeline for completion of the review
of the draft standard.
FSANZ provided a response to the review request to the Forum on Food Regulation
in December 2011. At that meeting, ministers asked us to consult broadly on the draft
standard, and to consider the potential for consumers to be misled by *fat-free * claims,
particularly on high-sugar products, before presenting the final standard to the Forum.
In response to this request we released a public consultation paper on these two matters
early in 2012. We were due to notify the Forum of our decision on the review in May 2012.
However, the Forum further extended the due date for completion to early 2012-13 to give
further consideration to the proposed regulation of general level health claims in consultation
with stakeholders.
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Country of origin labelling
Regulatory milestone 2011-12 Forum on Food Regulation requested a review of FSANZ's decision on amendments to Standard 1.2.11
Country of origin labelling requirements currently apply only to packaged foods and to unpackaged
pork, fish and fruit and vegetables. FSANZ is proposing to extend mandatory country of origin
labelling to unpackaged beef, sheep and chicken meat to provide consumers with appropriate
information and to remove the inconsistency in the requirements across unpackaged meat.
The results of a regulation impact statement showed it was uncertain if the largely intangible
benefits associated with mandatory labelling would sufficiently exceed the relatively low costs
to create a positive net gain for society.
However, after weighing up all relevant matters, the FSANZ Board reasoned that there
was sufficient likelihood of an overall benefit to the community when improved access to
information and the importance of consumer trust and confidence were balanced against
the relatively small industry implementation costs.
The Forum has requested a review of this decision and the review will be completed in late 2012.
Food standards for the primary industries
Horticulture
Regulatory milestone 2011-12 Public consultation conducted in March 2012 and draft standard developed
In 2011-12, we commenced a study of foodborne illnesses associated with horticultural
produce, as well as an examination of existing on-farm food safety schemes for horticulture.
We are currently analysing the costs and benefits of different options to manage the food
safety risks associated with horticultural produce. This will help us to decide if any regulatory
option is warranted or if the current non-regulatory schemes sufficiently manage the risks.
Seed sprouts
Regulatory milestone 2011-12 Standard 4.2.6 gazetted in January 2012
FSANZ worked with the seed sprouts industry, governments and consumers to develop
a primary production and processing standard for seed sprouts. Seed sprout processors
are required to put into place food safety measures, such as seed decontamination and
traceability systems. The new standard will have effect on 12 July 2013.
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Meat and meat products
Regulatory milestone 2011-12 Draft standard developed to prepare for public consultation in September 2012
FSANZ is considering risk management measures for the meat industry. Last year,
we developed a draft primary production and processing standard for meat and meat
products from farmed cattle, pigs, sheep and goats and rendered products for human
consumption (major species).
In 2011-12, we considered management of the remaining (minor) meat species and wild
game. Minor species are animals currently defined under existing Australian standards
(published by Standards Australia), i.e. buffalo, antelope, camels, alpacas, llamas, deer,
horses, donkeys, rabbits, crocodiles, ostrich and emu. Wild game included in our assessment
is wild boar, mutton birds, wallaby and kangaroo.
Our assessment included an overview of the production and processing practices for major
and minor meat species. Our aim is to strengthen, where necessary, food safety measures
associated with inputs and traceability. We have conducted one round of public consultation
for major and minor species and will develop a draft standard and implementation package
covering all meat species for a further round of consultation in the future.
Raw milk products
Regulatory milestone 2011-12 Amendments to Standard 4.2.4 gazetted in June 2012 to allow sale of certain hard-cooked cheeses from raw milk
FSANZ is reviewing requirements in the Food Standards Code for raw (unpasteurised) milk
products. This includes raw drinking milk and raw milk cheeses. FSANZ has approved an
amendment to the Food Standards Code permitting the production of raw milk hard to very
hard cooked curd cheeses. This permission came into effect in June 2012.
Our aim is to ensure that specific production and processing controls can provide a raw
milk product with an acceptable level of public health risk. At this stage, we consider that
raw drinking milk presents too high a risk to consumers to consider any permission. We are
currently examining the safety of raw goat milk, which is currently allowed to be produced
and sold in some states, as well as soft and semi-soft cheeses and other raw milk products
that are currently not permitted for sale.
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Public health and safety
Public health
Mandatory fortification of bread and bread making flour
Australia adopted mandatory fortification of bread-making flour with folic acid, and mandatory
use of iodised salt in bread making, in late 2009, Thiamine fortification of bread making flour
has been a mandatory requirement since the 1990s.
In 2011-12, we used the results from our first analytical program for bread fortification to
estimate potential changes in dietary iodine and folic acid intakes of the Australian population,
including the target populations, some ten months after folic acid and iodine fortification
began. We also undertook a second phase of monitoring levels of these fortificants in breads
sold in Australia.
The results of the second survey will show how much of the mandatory nutrients are present
in breads at a second time point, and will be used to model the impact of mandatory
fortification on nutrient intakes nearly three years after the implementation of mandatory
fortification standards for folic acid and iodine.
Food safety
Companion dogs in outdoor dining areas
Regulatory milestone 2011-12 Public consultation conducted May - June 2012
Under the Food Standards Code, pet dogs are not permitted in any areas of a food premises
where food is handled. However, state and territory food regulatory agencies have adopted
different approaches to regulating pet dogs in outdoor dining areas.
We undertook an assessment of the potential zoonotic hazards and risks arising from dogs
in outdoor dining areas. This assessment concluded that the risk of foodborne transmission
of zoonotic agents to humans from dogs in outdoor dining settings is very low to negligible.
We are therefore considering an amendment to the Code to remove the current restrictions
on the presence of dogs in outdoor dining areas and expect to finalise this work by mid-2012.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Plants containing naturally derived toxins are found throughout the world, including Australia
and New Zealand. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are a family of plant-derived toxins that can have
serious adverse effects on animal and human health when consumed in high quantities.
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FSANZ established a provisional tolerable daily intake for pyrrolizidine alkaloids in 2000.
However, international research and review since that time have suggested that these limits
should be reduced. Our position is that any new health standard should be based on a
scientifically sound human health risk assessment, one that considers the relative toxicity
of the various pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Australian and New Zealand plants.
We have developed a research strategy that involves industry, academia and other
government agencies to help with our risk assessment. We are collaborating with the
Ministry for Primary Industries; the Bee Products Standards Council in New Zealand
and the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation in Australia.
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)
Safety assessment milestone 2011-12 Category 1 status for New Zealand In-country verification visits: 3
FSANZ is responsible for determining the BSE food safety risk of countries that currently
export, or wish to export, beef and beef products to Australia. Our safety assessments involve
reviewing documentation submitted by applicants and an in-country assessment to verify
the effectiveness of controls to prevent the introduction and spread of BSE in the country.
In 2011-12 FSANZ received applications for assessment from fourteen countries and
has processed these applications, in December 2011, we completed the New Zealand
assessment, assigning a Category 1 status for country BSE risk. This status means there is
a negligible likelihood that the BSE agent has or will become established in the New Zealand
cattle herd and enter the human food chain. Beef and beef products derived from animals
from New Zealand are therefore regarded as posing a negligible risk to human health.
We completed three in-country verification visits in 2012, with inspections of Croatia,
The Netherlands and Vanuatu, in-country verification visits to Latvia and Lithuania are
scheduled to take place in September 2012.
Imported food
Foods imported for sale in Australia must comply with domestic food legislation, including the
Food Standards Code. In 2011-12, FSANZ continued to work closely with the Department
of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Imported Food Program to ensure the safety of
imported foods.
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FSANZ advises DAFF on which foods pose a medium to high risk to public health. Under the
Imported Food Program food is inspected and sampled as it reaches our border. What food
is inspected and how often it *s inspected is based on risk assessments and information
gathered on different foods. Our cooperative arrangements are outlined in a memorandum
of understanding, which will be reviewed in 2012-13 to maintain efficient and effective
service delivery.
During the year, we provided advice on risks associated with foods imported from Japan;
imported semi-dried tomatoes and the risk of hepatitis A viral (HAV) contamination;
Aeromonas veronii in cooked prawns; carbendazim residues in orange juice; safety of
dimethoate residues; Listeria testing of imported prosciutto; and testing of imported cooked
prawns from New Zealand.
Food incidents
National Food Incident Response Protocol
The National Food Incident Response Protocol provides whole-of-government guidance
on responding to national food incidents. Under the protocol, FSANZ has responsibility for
coordination, information gathering, risk assessment and communication.
In response to a review of our internal processes in 2011, we developed operating
procedures to improve our coordination and response arrangements when the protocol is
triggered. We are developing training materials to help staff apply these new procedures.
Undeclared drugs in coffee products
In June 2011, the protocol was triggered following identification of imported coffee products
containing undeclared drugs, possibly posing a risk to human health. Testing conducted by
the Therapeutic Goods Administration indicated that analogues of sildenafil were present in
a coffee product and not stated on the packaging. Investigations by the New South Wales
Food Authority identified a similar product and both products were found to be available for
sale in Australia via the internet.
We identified importers and distributors and requested eBay to not allow the sale of these
products. We also contacted the Pharmacy Guild, the Pharmaceutical Society and the
adult industry peak body, the Eros Association, advising them that these products pose a
potential risk to their members, and that they do not comply with food legislation and should
not be sold in Australia.
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Hydrocyanic acid in apricot kernels
Regulatory milestone 2011-12 Draft amendments to the Food Standards Code developed
The protocol was triggered in October 2011 when high levels of naturally occurring
hydrocyanic acid (HCN) were found in a brand of raw bitter apricot kernels. This followed
an investigation into the hospitalisation of a member of the public for cyanide poisoning.
The apricot kernels were purchased online. A previously permitted level of HCN in the Code
for apricot kernels was removed some years ago.
FSANZ coordinated a consumer-level food recall and a trade-level recall and issued a media
release advising on the maximum number of apricot kernels that may be consumed in a day
for adults without acute adverse effects.
We are now considering amending the Code to address current public health and safety
concerns about the consumption of apricot kernels and products derived from them.
An assessment report will be issued for public comment later in 2012.
Sports supplements containing DMAA
Food regulators activated the protocol in June 2012 following adverse health reports in
Australia and identification of sports products containing DMAA or 1,3-dimethylamylamine.
DMAA has been linked with various adverse health effects, including high blood pressure,
vomiting and deaths.
Regulatory agencies are assessing the products * safety. They have requested the withdrawal
of the products and provided education brochures to importers, distributors and retailers.
The Department of Health and Ageing is considering whether DMAA should become a
prohibited substance and has sought advice from the Advisory Committee on Medicines
Scheduling.
Food recalls
improvements to recall processes
During the year, we introduced a new electronic Food Recall System and database,
which enables us to coordinate food recalls more efficiently and accurately and to report
on food recalls.
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We also improved our communication of food recall information to industry and consumers.
Our website home page now has a *food recall icon *, providing a direct link to current food
recalls and recalls are posted on Facebook and via Twitter. We have included answers to
frequently asked questions on our website for consumers and industry.
Mandatory reporting
Australian Consumer Law requires all participants in the supply chain of consumer goods to
report consumer product-related incidents, including food-related incidents, where a death
or serious injury or illness has resulted, requiring medical or surgical treatment by, or under
the supervision of, a qualified doctor or nurse.
All reports have to be lodged directly with the Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission (ACCC) by the relevant sector of the supply chain within two days of becoming
aware of the incident. In February 2011, direct referral of mandatory reports to the relevant
enforcement agency began.
As the Australian government agency responsible for food standards, FSANZ simultaneously
receives copies of these mandatory reports. We monitor the reports to establish trends or
significant issues which may require discussion at a national level and provide a quarterly
report to the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing.
During the year, FSANZ received 1092 mandatory reports. The three most commonly
reported illnesses were alleged food poisoning and gastrointestinal symptoms (43.6%),
infant formula/food reactions (28.8%), followed by allergic and anaphylactic reactions
(14.1%). Notifications are predominantly from supermarkets and food manufacturers and
cover a broad range of foods.
The seemingly high number of notifications for infant formula is not an indication of a safety
issue with the products. Most reactions reported were mild in nature, including symptoms
such as reflux, wind or changes in stool hardness and frequency.
Food recall statistics 2011-12
FSANZ coordinated 63 recalls during the year. As shown in Figure 1, undeclared allergens
were the most common reason for a recall at 22 recalls (35%). During the same period,
15 recalls (24%) were due to microbial contamination and 14 recalls (22%) were due to
foreign matter.
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Figure 1: Number of recalls notified to FSANZ in 2011-12
Some 41 % of allergen-related recalls were for imported products from a range of countries,
including China, Thailand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Denmark (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Country of origin for all allergen related recalls from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
Improving our standards development outcomes
Contributing to policy development (caffeine)
In 2003, food regulation ministers issued a policy guideline on the Addition of Caffeine to Foods.
This guideline aims to ensure that FSANZ considers limiting exposure of vulnerable individuals to
foods containing caffeine when considering issues relating to the addition of caffeine to foods.
Since then, the number and variety of caffeinated products on the market has increased
and there has been heightened media interest, including reporting of adverse effects
from excessive intakes of caffeine from various sources. Food ministers agreed that the
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Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC) should review the policy guideline in light
of the range of products currently on the market and potential future developments.
A Caffeine Working Group was established to undertaken the review. FSANZ is an observer
member of the group and contributes technical advice. In the early stages, our task has
been to help scope the problem and identify data on caffeine in the food supply and on
consumption and consumer behaviour.
Novel foods
Issues have been raised about the definition of novel food in the Code and the lack of legal
clarity associated with the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods
when it makes determinations. In addition, there are difficulties associated with the definition
of nutritive substances in the Code.
FSANZ is therefore considering a new approach to regulating food ingredients that would
not hinge on definitions of *novel * or *nutritive *. In addition, it is considering how to provide
legal certainty to conclusions about the safety of these ingredients.
FSANZ released a public consultation paper in April 2012, seeking feedback on a possible
new approach for all food-derived substances. Targeted consultation was also undertaken
with industry and regulators. The proposed approach would place all foods and substances
in one of three groups: basic foods and their physically processed derivatives, which would
not require FSANZ assessment before use; substances derived from foods, which would
require a FSANZ safety and efficacy assessment (similar to the way novel food substances
are assessed now); and substances that would require an application, including synthetic
substances and food-derived substances for which there is a safety concern.
Submissions on the discussion paper will be considered before FSANZ decides how to
proceed with further consideration of which foods would require pre-approval.
Legislative audit of the Code
FSANZ is reviewing the Code to improve its clarity and consistency; inter-operability with
state and territory food laws; and consistency with best practice drafting techniques.
The review began with an audit of the Code by the Office of Legislative Drafting and
Publishing (OLDP). This provided a range of suggestions for varying the Code, FSANZ
subsequently consulted jurisdictions on the OLDP recommendations.
FSANZ is now working through the recommendations and issues raised with a view to
drafting amendments to the Code. These will be subject to public consultation later this year.
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FSANZ Panel of Analytical Laboratories
We established a panel of analytical laboratories in 2011 to enhance our ability to get information
and quickly respond to protect public health and safety when analytical testing is required.
The panel proved particularly useful during the year when analytical data was required quickly,
to assist in informing the risk assessment process and subsequent risk management decisions.
Laboratories on the panel are Advanced Analytical Australia, the National Measurement
Institute, Symbio Alliance, Hill Laboratories and the Institute of Environmental Science
and Research (ESR). The panel has an initial term of five years.
Emerging issues
Development of emerging and ongoing issues framework
In recent years, a number of unexpected food incidents have occurred, e.g. the melamine
contamination in milk and milk products incident. These incidents have had a significant
effect on food safety and consumer confidence, both nationally and internationally.
The FSANZ processes for managing a food safety incident, once it is identified, are already
well developed. However, FSANZ has sought to clarify roles and responsibilities in the process
of identifying emerging issues. In order to do this, FSANZ has developed a framework that FSANZ
staff can use to identify and respond in a coordinated manner to ongoing, emerged and emerging
issues, including issues that have substantial community interest. The framework will enable a
co-ordinated FSANZ approach to considering these issues and avoid potential duplication of activity.
FSANZ intends to implement the emerging and ongoing issues framework in the second
half of 2012.
Nanotechnology
FSANZ continued to explore the role of nanotechnology in food under the National Enabling
Technologies Strategy. We published our regulatory approach to nanotechnologies in the
International Food Risk Analysis Journal in 2011 and engaged with stakeholders on amendments
to the Application Handbook in relation to nanoscale materials that may be used in foods.
We also sought additional information from the food industry and food packaging manufacturers
in early 2012 on any current or potential uses of nanotechnologies in food packaging.
Food packaging
FSANZ engaged extensively with industry on our regulatory approach to food packaging
materials, including our Industry Advisory Group on Packaging Materials. We surveyed
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packaging manufacturers and the food industry about current measures to ensure the
safety of food packaging materials. We also continued to conduct analytical surveys of food
packaging chemicals that may migrate into food,
FSANZ expects to make a decision on whether there is a need to change the way food
packaging chemicals are regulated in 2012-13, including potential changes to the Code.
Monitoring food hazards
FSANZ *s surveillance capability provides an essential scientific foundation for sound risk
assessment. Information obtained from surveillance activities is important in identifying chemical,
microbiological and nutritional substances in foods that may present a risk to health or safety.
Implementation Sub-Committee (ISC) Coordinated Food Survey Plan
FSANZ is the sponsor for Component 1 *Surveillance and Monitoring * of ISC *s work plan.
The major planning tool of Component 1 is the 3-year ISC Coordinated Food Survey Plan,
which outlines food survey activities of national and bi-national significance for Australia
and New Zealand.
In 2011-12, we conducted and completed four food surveys as ISC-coordinated surveys,
namely, iodine levels in seaweed and seaweed-containing products, the 23rd Australian
Total Diet Study, sulphite levels in sausages, cordial and dried fruit, and the prevalence of
Salmonella and E. coli in ready to eat nuts and nut products.
Australian Total Diet Study
The Australian Total Diet Study (ATDS) provides Australia *s most
comprehensive estimate of the Australian population *s dietary exposure
to chemicals and other substances from the Australian food supply.
In 2011, we released the results of the 23rd ATDS. This study
surveyed 214 agriculture and veterinary chemicals, 12 mycotoxins,
9 contaminants and 11 nutrients found in commonly consumed foods
and beverages in the Australian diet. Dietary exposure was estimated
for the Australian population, with the findings confirming the current
safety of the Australian food supply for these food chemicals.
The focus of the 24th ATDS is acrylamide, aluminium and food
contact packaging migration chemicals. The results of the
24th ATDS will be published in 2012-13.
52 REGULATORY STANDARDS
The cover of the 23rd Australian Total Diet Study
which was released in November 2011.
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Survey of sulphite levels in sausages, cordial and dried fruit
In 2011, FSANZ commissioned a national coordinated survey of sulphite levels in sausages,
cordial and dried fruit. A total of 207 individual samples were analysed for sulphite levels,
including 156 sausage samples, 30 cordial samples, 9 dried apple samples and 12 sultana
samples. Samples were prepared to a ready-to-eat state before analysis.
The survey updated and enhanced the evidence base for use in the dietary exposure
assessment for our consideration of amending benzoates and sulphites permissions for
food in the Code. We released the analytical results of the survey report in April 2012.
A comparison of the sulphite levels in these foods with the respective maximum permitted
level in the Code was reported.
Supplementary colours survey
FSANZ reported the findings of a survey of added colours in foods available in Australia
in 2008. In 2011-12, we prepared a supplementary report containing more recent food
consumption data for children, revised Acceptable Daily Intakes (ADIs) from a Food and
Agriculture Organization / World Health Organization Expert Committee, and analytical data
received from the confectionery industry.
Using this new information, we updated the dietary exposure assessment for children aged
2-16. The revised dietary exposure estimate confirmed that the estimated dietary exposure
of children to added colours in food and beverages in Australia is well within the ADI
(<5% for each colour investigated), even for high consumers.
Survey of iodine in seaweed and seaweed-containing products
In November 2011, we published a report of iodine in seaweed and seaweed containing
products. This survey examined the link between high levels of iodine in a specific brand
of soy beverage and the addition of seaweed during the manufacturing process. FSANZ
coordinated the survey work, with participation from all Australian states and territories.
We found that some types of seaweed can have very high levels of iodine that may be
unsafe for human consumption. The relevant jurisdictions and DAFF Biosecurity were
advised of this finding for the appropriate follow-up and enforcement action.
Survey of arsenic in apple juice
Arsenic is a recognised contaminant of some foods, with inorganic forms more hazardous
than organic forms. Based on overseas information on detections of arsenic in apple juice,
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FSANZ undertook its own survey. Samples of different types of apple juice were analysed for
total arsenic levels and the samples with highest levels of total arsenic were also analysed
for inorganic arsenic levels. The results from this survey will be used in future dietary
exposure assessments for arsenic (total and inorganic).
Survey of inorganic arsenic in seaweed
FSANZ undertook a small-scale survey to investigate the concentration of inorganic arsenic
in a select number of seaweed and seaweed-containing products. The results of this survey
indicated that inorganic arsenic levels were below the maximum level of 1 mg/kg permitted
in the Food Standards Code, with the exception of one composite sample of hijiki. The home
state was notified of the findings for follow-up action.
Survey of cyanogenic glycosides in plant-based foods
Cyanogenic glycosides are a group of natural toxicants that occur in a number of plants
used as foods. Potential toxicity arises when these substances are degraded to hydrogen
cyanide (which is measured as total hydrocyanic acid), resulting in acute cyanide poisoning.
In 2008-09, a survey of cyanogenic glycosides in ready-to-eat cassava chips led to an
amendment to the Food Standards Code stipulating the maximum level at which hydrocyanic
acid can be present in cassava chips. We are in the process of conducting a small, targeted
follow-up analytical survey of beverages to confirm earlier results and to fill in some data gaps.
Once this follow-up survey is completed, we will bring together all our results to determine
whether further regulatory management is required for cyanogenic glycosides for foods other
than those already covered by the Code.
Survey of nitrates and nitrites
Most dietary exposure to nitrates and nitrites is through fruit and vegetables, as they occur
naturally in plant foods as part of the nitrogen cycle between air, land and water environments.
In November 2011 we published a survey report on nitrates and nitrites in Australian foods.
The survey found that the major sources of estimated nitrate dietary exposures across
different population groups were vegetables (42-78%) and fruits (including juices) (11-30%).
Vegetables (44-57%) and fruits (including juices) (20-38%) were also major contributors to
estimated dietary nitrite exposures across population groups. Processed meats account for
less than 10% of total dietary exposure to nitrites.
We concluded that exposures to nitrates and nitrites in foods do not represent an appreciable
health and safety risk. Rather, the health benefits of fruit and vegetables are widely accepted,
and eating these foods is recommended as part of a balanced diet.
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Strengthening our evidence base
Science evidence base
The cornerstone of FSANZ's standards development process is the generation of an evidence
base to support decision making. In turn, the quality of this evidence base depends heavily on
our regulatory science.
FSANZ Science Strategy 2010-2015
FSANZ *s Science Strategy identifies seven key strategic areas in which we aim to enhance
our scientific capability. Annual implementation plans that specify strategic aims, objectives,
and deliverables underpin the strategy.
In response to the 2011 Implementation Plan, we developed a framework to help us
identify and respond to emerging food safety issues in a timely and co-ordinated manner.
We extended our evidence base by releasing a reference database on the nutrient content
of Australian foods (NUTTAB), and by our continuing development of Harvest, our software
platform and data storage system.
We developed a risk assessment plan for use in assessing more complex applications or
proposals to amend the Food Standards Code that involve a multi-disciplinary team and,
in collaboration with Health Canada, established the International Food Risk Analysis Journal
to help disseminate the scientific assessment work that underpins our food regulatory
decisions. We also commenced a multidisciplinary review of risk terminology and the
associated descriptors of levels of risk.
Analysis of Food-Related Flealth Risks
The cover of the Analysis of Food-Related Health Risks.
Analysis of Food-Related Health Risks was published and made
available on our website in 2008. This publication outlines the broad
approach we use to analyse health risks associated with food.
FSANZ made a decision to review and update this publication
approximately every two years. In 2011-12, we focused on
strengthening a number of key areas in the document, including
nutritional risk analysis and the use of cost benefit analysis and
consumer and social research in determining risk management
options. This review will continue into the second half of 2012.
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Peer review of risk assessment process
Dr Angelika Tritscher, Coordinator of the Unit on Risk Assessment and Management at the
World Health Organization, conducted an external peer review of FSANZ *s risk assessment
processes in February 2012.
The objectives of the review were to evaluate the current rigour of our risk assessment practices
and procedures across the scientific disciplines at a high level and to benchmark these
against international best practice. Dr Tritscher has provided a draft report on her findings and
recommendations. The final review report and our response to the recommendations will
be published in 2012-13.
Harvest database and modelling tool
Redevelopment of our dietary modelling and food composition data systems continued in
2011-12, with final user acceptance testing to take place early in 2012-13. A single new
system, Harvest, is being developed to replace two existing systems which date from the
mid-1990s. In its first phase, Harvest provides improved data storage and improved analysis
and reporting capabilities for the food and nutrient data from our most recently completed
national nutrition survey * the 2007 Australian Children *s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey.
Dietary exposure assessments
In 2011-12, FSANZ carried out dietary exposure assessments for a range of food
standards projects and other purposes, including the assessment of a new food chemical
(dibromo-dimethylhydantoin). We also provided dietary exposure assessment data for a
number of surveillance activities.
We approved dietary exposure assessments conducted by the Australian Pesticides and
Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) when assessing the safety of residues in food
for new or amended uses of agricultural and veterinary chemicals. We also responded to
international requests for dietary data from the Food and Agriculture Organization/World
Health Organization and provided assistance to other government agencies on exposure
assessment matters, on an ad hoc basis.
Re-estimating the burden of foodborne illness in Australia
Estimates of the burden of foodborne disease are important for developing food safety
policy and legislation. They are used extensively by FSANZ for risk assessment, cost-benefit
and risk communication purposes, in particular to illustrate the scale of the problem and to
provide estimates of the associated costs to the community.
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The previous estimate of 5.4 million cases of foodborne infectious gastroenteritis annually
in Australia was based on data collected in 2000. FSANZ has partnered with the
New South Wales Food Authority and the Department of Health and Ageing to fund a project
by the National Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health (NCEPH), Australian National
University to re-estimate the burden of foodborne illness in Australia. The project will fake into
account improved understanding about foodborne disease and methodological advances.
NCEPH undertook a web-based consultation in 2012 to assess what pathogens should be
included to estimate the burden of foodborne disease in Australia. In addition, the project
team carried out a semi-formal systematic review of methods used to estimate the burden
of foodborne illnesses. The final report is due to be completed by June 2013.
ARC Linkage Project
FSANZ is a partner organisation in an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project
in 2012-14 titled Identifying and controlling the source of Campylobacter and Salmonella
in Australia. The project is being led by researchers at the Australian National University in
partnership with the New South Wales Food Authority, Primary Industries and Regions SA,
Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services, Hunter New England Area Health
Service and FSANZ.
The project aims to develop and apply new statistical and modelling techniques to identify
the source of Salmonella and Campylobacter infections in humans in Australia. The research
outcomes will provide more robust evidence to determine possible measures that could be
implemented to reduce human illness from these pathogens via food sources.
Accessing external expertise
FSANZ Fellows
The Fellows Program promotes engagement with respected experts to inform the development
of food regulatory measures and the scientific work of the agency. The contribution of the
Fellows enhances the development of food regulatory measures and the scientific work of the
agency. In 2011-12, the FSANZ Board approved the appointment of three new Fellows and the
reappointment of four Fellows for a further three-year term (Table 8).
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Table 8: FSANZ Fellows 2011-12
Professor Ken Buckle Food science, processing and microbiology University of New South Wales
Professor Nigel French Molecular epidemiology and risk research Massey University, New Zealand
Professor Stephen Goodall Health economist Centre for Health Economics
Research and Evaluation (CHERE) and University of Technology
Professor Seppo Salminen Intestinal microbiota and health,University of Turku, Finland and probiotics and prebiotics,Vienna University of Life Science, health claims Austria
Dr Laurence Eyres Food technology ECG Ltd
Dr Heather Greenfield Food composition University of New South Wales
and University of Canberra
Professor John Cary Social sciences Victoria University
Professor Lyn Cobiac Nutrition and dietetics Flinders University
Professor Graham Giles Cancer epidemiology Cancer Council and
University of Melbourne
Professor Peter Langridge Genomics University of Adelaide
Professor Brian Priestly Health risk assessmentMonash University
Professor Richard Shepard Consumer behaviour University of Surrey, UK
Professor Murray SkeaffNutrition University of Otago
New Zealand
Professor Anthony Smith Complementary medicine Newcastle Mater Hospital
University of Newcastle
Professor Mark Tamplin Microbiology and food safety University of Tasmania
Dr David Fraser Vitamin D University of Sydney
Dr Peter Williams Nutrition University of Wollongong
Dr Winsome Parnell Nutrition and infant feeding practices University of Otago, New Zealand
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Engagement with academic institutions
The student project program is intended to be a mutually beneficial relationship between
academia and FSANZ by encouraging students to undertake projects of relevance to
FSANZ and food regulation. In 2011-12 students from the University of Canberra, University
of New South Wales and University of South Australia undertook projects related to various
issues of relevance to food regulation and safety (Table 9).
Table 9: FSANZ student projects for 2011-12
Exploration of the composition of foods commonly eaten in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia University of Canberra
Determining what *herbal teas * people are consuming, what are in these 'herbal teas * and do they pose a risk to human health/safety?
University of New South Wales
Natural extracts replacing food additives for functional purposes in food University of New South Wales
Analysis of a-tocopherol in dietary supplements (vitamin E and multivitamin supplements) University of South Australia
Consumer and social sciences research
FSANZ continued to build its capacity to respond to the behavioural aspects of proposed
changes to the food standards and to ensure that we maintain our currency with the social
and behavioural sciences disciplines that underpin this work.
In 2011-12, we finalised a review of recent literature on the effects of nutrition content claims
on consumers * health and nutrition perceptions, purchase intentions, and food purchases
and consumption. The review ensured that our deliberations took into account the most
appropriate scientific evidence on consumers * responses to nutrition content claims.
We also finalised a major collection of data on consumers * responses to fortification and their
consumption and understanding of sports foods. Both datasets will inform future projects
relating to sports foods and voluntary fortification applications more generally.
We became an industry partner to an Australian Research Council Linkage Project, with
Flinders University and the Department of Health (SA), in a two-year project to explore how
food-related organisations develop and maintain consumer trust and how they can re-build
trust in response to food scares.
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During the year, the Principal Social Scientist undertook a secondment to the Social
Science Research Unit of the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency (FSA). As a result,
several collaborative projects have commenced. One project will explore how food regulatory
agencies can ensure the quality and relevance of qualitative research they undertake and
another will seek to develop methodologies for more realistic estimates of the willingness
to pay to reduce foodborne illness, using consumer surveys.
We re-established the Social Science Expert Advisory Group (SSEAG). The SSEAG gives
FSANZ access to expertise from across the social science disciplines and, through its members,
ensures that our social sciences activity is appropriate and valid.
Regulatory analysis
The regulatory analysis function in FSANZ ensures that regulatory changes create the
maximum benefit for the community as a whole. In doing this work, we need to comply with
the Council of Australian Governments * Best Practice Regulation Guide. The Office of Best
Practice Regulation, in its Best Practice Regulation Report 2011-12, reported that FSANZ
had complied in full with the COAG best practice guidelines.
In 2011-12, we made increasing use of economic models to allow us to quickly cost small
changes and refinements to proposed regulatory interventions, for example, on projects as
diverse as the regulation of seed sprouts and country of origin labelling.
We hosted an Economic and Social Science Forum on food regulation in November 2011,
attended by international experts (via videoconference) and a number from Australia,
who discussed their research with a large group of food regulators from both inside and
outside FSANZ.
Internationa! networks
Codex Alimentarius Commission
The FSANZ Act requires FSANZ to have regard to the international harmonisation of food
standards and to use the best available scientific evidence in our regulatory decision-making.
Our international networks provide opportunities for achieving both these objectives. FSANZ
plays a significant role in developing international food standards produced by the Codex
Alimentarius Commission.
We participate, as part of the Australian delegation, on many Codex committees, either as
delegation members, delegation leaders or as chair of an individual committee. Table 10
summarises our participation in the work of Codex.
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Table 10: FSANZ participation in the work of Codex 2011-12
Codex Working Groups on Guidelines for Microbiological Metrics Member of Australian delegation
34th Session of Codex Alimentarius Commission Member of Australian delegation
67th Session of Codex Alimentarius Executive Committee Member of Australian delegation
6th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food, (CCCF), The Netherlands Led Australian delegation
33rd Session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU), Germany
Led Australian delegation and co-chaired working group on Revised Vitamin and Mineral Reference Values for Labelling
40th Session of Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL), Canada Member of Australian delegation
43rd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH), United States Led Australian delegation
44th Session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA), China Led Australian delegation and chaired working group on Endorsement of the Food Additive Provisions
of Codex Commodity Committees and chaired the working group for the harmonisation of the food additive provisions of the meat commodity standards
International food safety liaison groups
In March 2012 FSANZ hosted the third face-to-face meeting of the International Food
Chemical Safety Liaison Group (IFCSLG). The IFCSLG, formed in 2006, provides a platform for
national food regulators to exchange information on chemical risk analysis, emerging issues
and food suiveillance. Some of the food chemical safety issues covered included acrylamide,
food contaminants, food colours, safety assessment of radionuclides, nutritional assessment
of irradiated foods, food contact packaging chemicals, natural toxins and trans-fatty acids.
Following the success of the ICFSLG, a companion group was formed in September 2011 for
international food regulators to discuss and collaborate on issues of mutual interest related to
the microbial safety of food. FSANZ is a foundation member. Topics under discussion during
the year-included the E. coli 0 1 04:H4 outbreak in Europe, seed-sprout safety and identifying
and controlling enteric viruses (e.g. hepatitis A virus and norovirus) in food.
WHO Collaborating Centre for Food Contamination Monitoring
FSANZ is a World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating centre for food contamination
monitoring, and carries out activities to support WHO programs. During the year, we submitted
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data from our survey of contaminants in coffee and our survey of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
We also have a role in collaborating with the Western Pacific Regional Office of WHO (WPRO)
in capacity building activities in areas of the Western Pacific. In this capacity, we jointly organised
the inaugural meeting of WPRO, FAO, OIE, ASEAN and APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum
to share information on capacity building activities and to explore avenues for future collaboration.
Relationships in the Asia-Pacific region
APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum (FSCF)
FSANZ (on behalf of Australia) and the People *s Republic of China share responsibility for
co-chairing the FSCF and play a vital role in promoting and strengthening food safety capacity
building in the Asia Pacific region. Since 2007, when the APEC FSCF was formed, food safety
has been recognised as a high priority for APEC.
APEC FSCF activities
In 2011-12, significant progress was made on establishing the APEC FSCF Food Safety
Incident Network (FSIN). The purpose of FSIN is to facilitate the development and implementation
of FSCF-agreed approaches to improved information and knowledge sharing; food safety incident
preparedness and response and recovery mechanisms, across the APEC region as well as INFOS AN.
FSANZ has played a major role in establishing the FSIN. Our expertise in the area of food
safety incident management will make a significant contribution to food safety incident
management in the APEC region.
APEC FSCF and the World Bank have a memorandum of understanding to form the Global Food
Safety Partnership (GFSP). In 2012, the new GFSP was established. It will build on the extensive
work of the APEC FSCF, with capacity building programs being enhanced and implemented
globally. The initiative will include pilot capacity building programs in APEC economies, as well
as activities to respond to high priority food hazards and strengthen analytics and metrics.
Through the APEC FSCF, FSANZ *s expertise in the areas of food regulation, food safety incident
management and risk analysis will therefore be at the forefront of global initiatives to improve
food safety via the GFSP.
Capacity building activities in the region
In 2011-12, demand for FSANZ food safety and regulation expertise remained high, with a
number of requests for training and capacity building assistance in conducting scientific risk
analysis, chemical and microbiological risk assessments, risk communication, developing food
laws/food regulatory frameworks and managing food safety incidents.
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Stakeholder relationships
Strategic imperative
" building stronger stakeholder relationships
Objectives
" a shared understanding of FSANZ's role
" FSANZ has a reputation for being proactive and alert
" stakeholders see FSANZ as credible and trustworthy
Outcomes
" professional and constructive relationships with all stakeholders
" a strong sense of engagement with FSANZ among stakeholders
Highlights
in 2011-12 FSANZ:
" established an Allergen Collaboration to improve, through non-reguiatory means,
how food allergen risks are managed and to help consumers with a food allergy
to make safer choices
" continued to maintain and support a wide range of advisory and liaison committees
to provide advice from the community, the food industry, individual citizens,
public health groups and other arms of government
" collaborated with the Australian Bureau of Statistics, under a three-year contract,
to prepare the nutrient database for the National Nutrition and Physical Activity
Survey component of the Australian Health Survey
" operated a Code Interpretation Service to provide interpretive guidance on food
standards in chapters one and two of the Food Standards Code to all food industry
stakeholders on a fee-for-service basis
" published on our website all applications to change the Food Standards Code,
as well as submissions on applications and proposals, at no cost to readers
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" continued to provide information services to the media and to the food industry,
and maintained a vigorous publishing program
" participated in the educational programs of the Food Safety Information Council,
including the annual Food Safety Week in Australia.
Introduction
According to surveys conducted in 2009 and 2012, stakeholder relations are one of FSANZ *s
key strengths, the others being our professionalism and scientific expertise.
We cannot meet everyone *s expectations, but our policy of seeking the views of a wide
range of stakeholders to support our evidence-based processes, is clearly appreciated by
most stakeholders. It is one of the reasons for the high levels of public confidence in the
safety of food consumed in Australia and New Zealand.
FSANZ has the health and safety of the community as its main priority. However, we also
are required to support the competitiveness of the food industry and government initiatives
towards deregulation. We therefore aim for regulatory decisions that provide a net benefit
to the community. This may not necessarily be seen as the middle ground by competing
stakeholders.
Our goal is to build relationships with stakeholders that continue beyond the life of a particular
standard-development project or food incident. To this end, we operate diverse programs
of communication, awareness and stakeholder engagement in Australia and New Zealand.
Some of these programs target specific individuals and peak organisations, who sen/e on our
advisory and expert committees. Others, which are more concerned with awareness-raising
activities, are directed at the broader community. Our active participation in the social media
falls into this category.
Stakeholder relations are a high priority for FSANZ because we need information from all
sectors of the community along with an understanding of our processes and an acceptance
of our objectivity and integrity.
This is why, with the assistance of the Australian Food and Grocery Council and primary
producers, our staff regularly visit food production and processing businesses. And why
we are grateful to specialist academics in food-related disciplines for freely providing input
to, and advice on, our risk assessments. Such contacts are invaluable, as too are those
involving consumer and public health groups through, for example, our Consumer and
Public Health Dialogue.
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One of our responsibilities is to ensure that the community is aware of the provisions of the
Food Standards Code and the approaches and processes that underpin food standards.
We usually meet this responsibility by maintaining highly visible portals to the information
we hold.
These portals include our website, which contains thousands of pages of information on the
safety and regulation of food, much of it specifically prepared for a lay audience. We operate
a consumer and industry information service and a specialised Code Interpretation Sen/ice
for industry and government agencies. We provide the media with background information
on topical food issues and interact with our followers on Facebook and Twitter.
FSANZ is only one player in the food regulatory system. However, its pivotal role in developing
and maintaining the Food Standards Code shapes, to a large extent, public confidence in
the system as a whole.
We intend to strengthen our capability to develop stakeholder relations by providing greater
opportunities for all community sectors to have their positions considered.
Stakeholders and regulatory partners
Citizen involvement
Advisory and liaison committees
FSANZ maintains a wide range of advisory committees and expert panels who provide advice
from the community, the food industry, individual citizens, public health groups and other
arms of government. This advice feeds into the decision-making processes of standards
development.
In 2011-12, the advisory and liaison committees listed in Table 11 continued to provide a
valuable service to FSANZ.
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Table 11: Advisory and liaison committees
Advisory Committee on Novel Foods 7
Allergen Collaboration 4
Consumer and Public Health Dialogue 4
Consumer Liaison Committee 3
Food Allergy and Intolerance Scientific Advisory Committee 0
Food Surveillance Network 2
Industry Advisory Group on Food Packaging 1
Jurisdictional Forum 3
Nga Kaitohutohu Kounga Kai 1
Retailers and Manufacturers Liaison Committee 2
Social Sciences Expert Advisory Group 1
Standard Development Committee for Raw Milk Products 1
Standard Development Committee for Meat and Meat Products 1
Consumer and Public Health Dialogue
The Consumer and Public Health Dialogue was established to enhance our high-level
engagement w ith key public health and consumer stakeholders. In 201 1 -1 2 an observer
from the Department of Health and Ageing joined the dialogue.
Dialogue members considered the potential for health impact assessments to be applied to
FSAN Z applications and proposals; food monitoring and evaluation and the Harvest dietary
modelling system: and the Australian Government response to the Review of Food Labelling
Law and Policy, particularly in relation to FSAN Z's future work program. The dialogue also
considered the application of a public health framework to regulatory matters, developing a
short paper on a definition of public health and two case studies, which were presented to
the FSAN Z Board in May 201 2.
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Consumer Liaison Committee
The Consumer Liaison Committee comprises representatives from consumer groups,
Maori and Indigenous representatives and private individuals. The committee *s objective is to
provide grassroots advice to FSANZ on consumer publications and a consumer perspective
on standards development activities. In 2011, FSANZ undertook a recruitment campaign
using social media and our website to attract new members to the committee. Seven new
members were appointed in October 2011.
Consultation with Maori
In 2011, we reviewed our Maori consultation activities to determine whether they meet
the needs of both the Maori community and FSANZ. The review took the form of an email
survey of Maori Network participants and discussions with Nga Kaitohutohu Kounga Kai
(Maori reference group) members.
The results showed that the Maori Network was no longer a useful tool for engaging with
Maori, in part because the membership has shrunk over time and the level of engagement
was low. Nga Kaitohutohu Kounga Kai members expressed the view that our current
consultation processes do not provide effective engagement with Maori. As a result of
the reviews, FSANZ and reference group members agreed to the discontinuation of
Nga Kaitohutohu Kounga Kai and to hold the Maori Network in abeyance. The FSANZ
Board agreed to the disbanding of the reference group in March 2012.
We remain committed to engaging with Maori in our food regulation activities. To date,
several agencies have expressed interest in working collaboratively on joint consultation
initiatives. In particular, we have noted the emergence of Maori food businesses and the
potential to engage with this growing sector.
Collaborative projects
Allergen Collaboration
A 2011 review of the regulatory management of allergens identified the need to enhance
current non-regulatory risk management approaches to allergen management. We have
established a collaboration of representatives from state, territory and New Zealand
governments, Australian and New Zealand allergy support associations and food industry,
including the food service sector. The collaboration aims to improve, through non-regulatory
means, how food allergen risks are managed and to help consumers with a food allergy
make safer choices.
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One of their main tasks of the collaboration to date has been to develop consistent and
accurate key messages for various sectors throughout the food chain, with a view to
promoting these among the different stakeholder groups.
Modelling the impact of food reformulation activities
We have modelled the predicted impact of a range of changes to sodium levels in foods
agreed under the Australian Government's Food and Health Dialogue. This work has been
carried out under a contract with the Department of Health and Ageing. We modelled
voluntary reductions to sodium levels in a range of breads, breakfast cereals, simmer sauces
and processed meats to meet industry agreed targets. The findings were used by the
Dialogue to assist in evaluating the outcomes of these reformulation activities.
Australian Health Survey
FSANZ is working with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), under a 3-year contract,
to prepare the nutrient database for the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey
component of the Australian Health Survey (AHS).
The primary focus of work this year was the production of nutrient and portion size data for
more than 3,000 new foods and beverages consumed by survey participants. Each food
requires data for about 45 different nutrients. We also developed a new data system for
converting product formulation data for around 10,000 dietary supplements, held by the
Therapeutic Goods Administration, into nutrient data in the format required for the AHS.
Another component of the AHS is the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition
and Physical Activity Survey, which will begin in early 2012-13. We commissioned a small
analytical survey of nutrients in some foods * including kangaroo tails * that are commonly
available in stores in remote communities, to ensure current information is available to
estimate nutrient intakes for this population group.
BSE consultations
FSANZ continued to collaborate with DAFF to ensure that beef and beef products imported
into Australia are free from BSE. FSANZ worked closely with DAFF Biosecurity on developing
certification measures for the importation of beef and beef products from countries to which
FSANZ has assigned a favourable BSE risk status. Coordination of in-country verification
visits has also been assisted by DAFF as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
at both Canberra level and through the relevant overseas posts.
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Activities in the Asia-Pacific region
A small team of FSANZ scientists led a week-long Food Chemical Risk Analysis Workshop
in Singapore for staff of the Singapore Agrifood and Veterinary Authority, funded by the
Singapore Government. This course aimed to give participants a good understanding of the
Codex Alimentarius risk analysis framework, with a particular focus on the risk assessment
of food chemicals. Evaluation of the workshop indicated that it was very well received and
of benefit to all participants.
Case study: Stakeholder engagement on low THC hemp
Should hemp foods be approved for sale in Australia and New Zealand? Stakeholders
are divided in their attitudes and so FSANZ *s assessment of an application to approve
such foods has involved consultation with many stakeholders who may not ordinarily
be involved in standards setting processes.
We consulted with international food and drug agencies, through our diplomatic
staff in many European countries, the United States and Canada, as well as holding
face-to-face discussions with the United States Food and Drug Administration and
the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency. We also consulted with Canadian,
Australian and New Zealand hemp industry associations and individuals to investigate
some of the practical issues associated with hemp farming and processing.
In addition, we met with an analytical laboratory and teleconferenced with police
and other government agencies in Australia and New Zealand. As a result of these
extensive consultations, FSANZ will be in a position to present a comprehensive
impact assessment for the consideration of ministers later in 2012.
Code Interpretation Service (CIS)
The CIS provides interpretive guidance on food standards in chapters one and tw o of the
Food Standards Code. It is available to ail food industry stakeholders on a fee-for-service
basis and the interpretative guidance provided is adopted and applied by Australian state
and territory food regulatory agencies in the course of monitoring and enforcement activities.
During the year, the CIS received two applications for interpretive guidance. The first concerned
Standard 1.3.3 Processing aids: Use of processing aids in manufacture of preparations of food
additives and vitamins and minerals. Our interpretive guidance considered whether certain
70 STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-201 2
processing aids in the standard could be used in the manufacture of preparations of food
additives and vitamins and minerals.
The second sought guidance on Standard 1.2.2 * Food identification requirements:
Lot identification. Here, the interpretive guidance considered the requirement for a label on
a package of food to include lot identification information.
The interpretative guidance provided for both applications is available on the FSANZ
website. We have established a web interface for the CIS to provide a forum through which
industry and government can contribute to the CIS *s development of interpretive guidance.
Communication
As a small agency with limited resources, the FSANZ website is a key tool in communicating
with stakeholders. We evaluated our website in 2011 and, in the latter half of the year, began a
redesign task. The goal of the redesign project is to improve navigation and usability for the
thousands of website visitors we receive each month. We wanted to ensure our stakeholders
had a say in the design of the website, so we sought feedback during the design process from
stakeholder groups, including government and consumer groups.
We finalised the design process in early 2012 and expect the *build * of the new website to
occur in late 2012. This will be followed by further user testing.
Information for the community
Transparency and disclosure
The Australian Government *s new Information Publication Scheme aims to promote
transparency and pro-disclosure. All applications to change the Food Standards Code,
as well as submissions on applications and proposals, are published on our website, at no
cost to readers.
We do not publish any material that is confidential commercial information or where we have
been asked to keep certain information confidential, such as personal information.
Applications are published when we publicly notify FSANZ *s decision to accept an application
on completion of the administrative assessment. Supporting documents for applications are
not placed on the website until the first call for submissions. Submissions will be published as
soon as possible after the end of the public comment period.
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Website
During 2011-12, the FSANZ website attracted more than 700,000 unique visits, with monthly
visits ranging from about 60,000 unique visitors to 80,000. We are using surveys, social media
and analytics tools to help define our most popular pages.
As noted earlier, the FSANZ website is being redesigned. An important part of this process
is reviewing content to ensure it is current and user friendly. FSANZ has been undertaking a
comprehensive review of content, beginning with consumer content; rewriting and refreshing
this content ahead of the build of the new website. We revised more than 50 consumer fact
sheets and published several new fact sheets on subjects ranging from nitrates and nitrites
and arsenic in food to chemicals in food packaging.
The Nutrition Panel Calculator (NPC) is one of the most visited parts of FSANZ *s website.
It provides the food industry with extensive information on the nutrient composition of foods,
together with an easy-to-use program for preparing nutrition information panels. In 2011-12,
we released an updated version of the NPC with extra nutrient data and new features for
users, who number around 150 or more every day.
Social media
Our social media presence has continued to grow. FSANZ now has more than 3,600 *likes *
on Facebook and close to 2,000 Twitter followers. The feedback from people using these
tools has been invaluable. It alerts us to consumer concerns and helps to determine what
information consumers want. Social media figures demonstrate that food recalls continue to
be a key concern for consumers
and these posts are regularly
commented on or re-tweeted.
The use of chemicals in food or
the migration of chemicals from
food packaging continues to be
a concern for some consumers,
as does the genetic modification
of food.
facebook k v. Search for pecpis. pieces s-d things fou v c poet-ny, eommentiee, and $k!hg u Food Standard! Auerati litn Zeeland (FSANZ)
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
FSANZ *s Facebook cover photo.
72 STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Print and electronic media
FSANZ continued to receive media enquiries on a range of food-related issues during 2011-12.
Food additives and the safety of additives attracted attention, as did chemicals either from
a food packaging perspective (e.g. BRA) or agricultural and veterinary chemicals in food,
e.g. carbendazim. The release in February 2012 of a consultation paper on a new nutrition
and health claims standard attracted significant attention. Responses on Food Standards
Code labelling requirements and issues relating to the genetic modification of food were also
regularly sought by media both in Australia and overseas.
Consumer publications
Food Standards News
Food Standards News continues to be published monthly. The number of subscribers has
increased by 1,000 to more than 7,000 subscribers in the past twelve months. The most popular
stories during that time have been the FSANZ publication Agents of Foodborne Illness and
reports on surveillance activities, including publication of the Australian Total Diet Study findings.
Food Surveillance Newsletter
The Food Surveillance Newsletter is a web-based publication promoting national and
international surveillance and monitoring activities. The newsletter describes analytical survey
work conducted in Australia and New Zealand, and provides summary information on food
recalls, imported food matters, food incidents and international engagement. FSANZ manages
the newsletter with article contributions from members of the Food Surveillance Network.
In 2012, we changed the format of Food Surveillance Newsletter to enable timely publication
of survey work. The newsletter page on the FSANZ website is now updated as surveys are
published, and subscribers alerted to the updates via email.
Monitoring of Emerging Issues Newsletter
The FSANZ Monitoring of Emerging Issues Newsletter provides a snapshot of emerging
issues, foodborne disease outbreaks, food recalls, surveillance and monitoring activities and
international food safety policy development. The newsletter is published each month on the
FSANZ website, and FSANZ staff and more than 200 interested stakeholders are notified
of its availability. As this publication captures some food safety issues at an early stage,
it is considered a useful tool in identifying emerging food safety issues.
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Industry and consumer advice
FSANZ information service
We receive thousands of enquiries each year from food businesses, government agencies
and other stakeholders about the Food Standards Code. We continued to refine our website
to provide improved information and links to associated agencies to ensure people can
easily identify where to find the information they are looking for and which agency can best
answer their query.
Improved website analytics have allowed us to determine how many people are visiting our
contact us form and, of those, how many are proceeding to make an enquiry. The number
of visits to the contact us form decreased from 13,153 in 2010 -1 1 to 7,892 in 2011-12.
Corresponding figures for the number of follow-through enquiries are 1,958 in 2010-11 and
1,539 in 2011-12.
Industry site visits
FSANZ participated in two industry site visits. The first visit was to Mars Foods and McCain
in Ballarat in October 2011; the second to Unilever and SRC Ardmona in Shepparton
in March 2012. Staff from several Commonwealth and state departments and from the
Australian Food and Grocery Council also attended. These visits provide a development
opportunity for FSANZ staff to find out more about the issues facing food manufacturers.
Public awareness campaigns
Food Safety Week
FSANZ is a founding member of the Food Safety Information Council, which educates
consumers in safe food handling. The council manages the annual Australian Food Safety
Week. The theme for 2011 was *vulnerable populations *. Activities included a media release,
television and radio community sewice announcements and mailouts of brochures and posters.
The week attracted 90 media mentions, which was down on the number for 2010,
but coverage included stories in mass-circulation publications such Women *s Day. There was
a significant leap in social media mentions about the campaign in 2011, Television coverage
included stories on the 7PM Project, Sunrise, Today Tonight and A Current Affair.
The council also ran activities during the Christmas period with messages for return to work
and school following the December holidays, and a campaign over Easter on the dangers
of using raw eggs.
74 STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS
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People and organisational capability
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People and organisational capability
Strategic imperative
" continuing to strengthen the capability and capacity of FSANZ
Objectives
" increased efficiency of our organisational processes
" an enhanced reputation for being a safe, professionally rewarding and productive
workplace
Outcome
" a positive culture in FSANZ where staff feel motivated in their work, are valued
and respected
Highlights
In 2011-12 FSANZ:
" strengthened our information and communication technology capability by
implementing disaster recovery plans, ICT security and the performance of our
telecommunications link between our Canberra and Wellington offices
" conducted a biennial staff survey and compared the results with other small APS
agencies, showing that FSANZ is in the top cohort for almost all of the metrics
" began an extensive review of workforce strategies and plans (e.g. learning and
development, recruitment and retention, succession planning), and capabilities
for work types within FSANZ
" commenced reporting our employment profile along the lines suggested by the
Australian Public Service Commission
" concluded an Enterprise Agreement for Australian employees in October 2011
" changed our Employee Assistance Provider * an external consultant who provides
employees with access to confidential professional counselling to assist with work
and personal issues
" arranged hearing tests for staff members and continued to offer influenza vaccinations
" received no formal complaints for bullying and harassment.
76 PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITY
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Introduction
Organisational capability can be divided into three areas, the first being internal processes
and systems for meeting stakeholders * needs. For FSANZ, this includes having efficient
processes in place for handling applications to amend the Food Standards Code; providing
information to a range of audiences; and having a governance regime that sets strategic
directions for the agency and provides leadership.
Organisational capability is also about creating competencies in the agency to meet our
business goals. This means matching the individual capabilities of staff to corporate goals and
ensuring those capabilities are developed so that FSANZ has the technical and non-technical
expertise necessary to address current and future needs.
Finally, our planning and evaluation processes ensure that employee skills and efforts are
directed toward achieving our corporate goals and strategies. This is particularly crucial at
a time when financial resources are limited,, while workloads increase. It includes the ability
to prioritise work and to terminate programs. It requires a business-like approach to every
aspect of FSANZ *s work.
In 2011-12, we made a number of advances aimed at improving our organisational capability.
We established an innovation and reform function to act as a focal point for implementing the
Australian Public Sen/ice's Innovation Action Plan. We formed an Innovation Practice Group to
gather information from other agencies, developed a FSANZ innovation process to progress
ideas and took the first steps to implementing a reward system for creative initiatives by staff.
In addition, we modified our Performance Management and Development Scheme to include
*innovation * as a pathway for section managers to gain *superior * and *outstanding * ratings.
The FSANZ Board has had a long-standing interest in workforce planning issues. During the
year, we developed a workforce planning strategy. The strategy will guide preparation of plans
for learning and development; recruitment and retention; workplace diversity; succession
planning and the identification of skills and expertise into the future. These detailed plans
should be finalised early in 2012-13.
Allied to this initiative, we have begun preparing an organisational capability framework.
The project involves identifying five work types that cover the agency *s work, developing
capabilities (or competencies) for these work types, and determining the technical and
non-technical skills required to meet these capabilities. We are particularly concerned about
capabilities used in the APS Integrated Leadership System, such as strategic thinking,
cultivating productive working relationships, and communicating with influence.
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Another initiative was an assessment of *agency health *, using a checklist recommended
by the Australian Public Service Commission. This was a study of processes, systems and
directives, not an assessment of performance. The assessment team gathered evidence
that appropriate structures were in place to meet the criteria in the APSC checklist.
Using a maturity approach to the assessment, the team determined whether a process
or other enabling structure was *under-de veloped *mature * or 'fully mature *. Further work
will now be undertaken to see if the maturity levels are appropriate for an agency with our
responsibilities and culture.
Central to all this activity is the premise that organisational capability is not the preserve
of the planning process or the human resources function. It is a responsibility of all levels
of management and every member of staff. For this reason, our people have been given,
and will continue to be given, every opportunity to participate in developing strategies
and plans.
Organisational capability and capacity
Information and communication technology (ICT)
During the year, FSANZ improved its business operations by actively encouraging innovation
and making better use of existing and future ICT capabilities. Our aim has been to obtain
maximum value from our current investments in our core ICT infrastructure * that is,
data modelling, collaboration, mobility, desktops, security and server environments.
In 2011-12, we undertook a range of initiatives to improve ICT services, including:
" increased staff ability to work away from the office, with greater mobility options
" maintaining our core systems with minimal outages and high availability
" improving the overall performance of the Wellington-to-Canberra data link,
with utilisation of bandwidth at about 40%
" upgrading virtual servers on the disaster recovery site to take advantage of increased
productivity changes
" installing new more cost efficient multifunction Ricoh copiers, with a swipe card printer
system, to enable faster, secure printing and to reduce the environmental impact.
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ANNUAL REPORT 201 1-2012
FSANZ *s ICT systems no longer act in a reactive supporting and service role; they have
evolved into a key business enabler, enhancer and driver. For example, our continued
development of the SharePoint environment has enabled states and territories to consult
with us on the Code Interpretation Service. We also introduced a rolling program of
converting hard-copy forms to electronic forms and we are in the final stages of testing
a new application and submissions management system before rolling it out in 2012-13.
FSANZ also introduced an ICT-based food recall system with SharePoint and systems to
improve project management in the agency. We are currently finalising development of a
document management system which, when completed, will be fully compliant with the
Australian Archives Act.
Canberra - Wellington link
As a bi-national agency, reliable and effective communication between our Canberra and
Wellington offices is essential. Communication between offices is achieved through video
conferencing and telephone services. These systems reduce travel costs and are consistent with
recent Gov 2.0 and Web 2.0 reforms, which promise to deliver better, more convenient systems.
During the year, we made improvements to the Canberra-Wellington link, including increasing
data bandwidth where necessary, strengthening capacity for document sharing between
offices, and providing faster Windows 7 mobile phones and more Blackberries to senior staff.
ICT disaster recovery
FSANZ selected Verizon to host our off-site disaster recovery hardware and software in one
of Canberra *s newest and most secure Tier 3 class data centres. Verizon has been providing
ICT solutions and services to the Australian Government for more than twenty years and
also manages the secure Intra Government Communications Network (ICON) between
all Commonwealth agencies. We will be relocating our disaster recovery infrastructure to
Verizon Data Centre early in 2012-13.
ICT security
With an increasingly mobile workforce, the risk of potential security breaches increases.
To mitigate this risk, we continuously strengthen and improve network security. FSANZ installed
a more secure and reliable RSA Citrix gateway that will enable more mobile devices and tablets
to be used. We maintained and enhanced our Fedlink accreditation to ensure the ability to send
in-confidence emails to all other government departments. And we introduced a mobile device
management system to better manage remote and mobile staff, phones and tablet devices.
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ICT workforce capability
As required by the Australian Government's ICT Strategic Workforce Plan 2010-2013
FSANZ has submitted an ICT workforce plan to APSC during the year.
Information and records management
During the year, the National Archives of Australia (NAA) analysed risk mitigation indices
for APS agencies to measure the state of information and records management in the
Australian Public Service. Overall, FSANZ ranked 12th, with above-average ratings for all
indices, except for our performance in auditing our information and records management
functions. We consider auditing of these functions to be of low risk and have therefore
allocated our internal audit resources to areas of higher risk.
Staff Forum
The Staff Forum is the main consultative mechanism for communication between staff and
the executive on workplace issues. In 2011-12, the forum assisted in developing the staff
survey. The forum coordinated hearing tests for 42 staff members and coordinated fundraising
for victims of the Christchurch earthquake and the Queensland floods. The forum also
supported the agency *s annual RSPCA Cup Cake Day fundraising activities held each August.
In March 2012, the forum welcomed Professor Chris Parish from the Australian Cancer
Research Council, who explained how FSANZ donations have been used in Canberra.
FSANZ is now a corporate member of the Australian Red Cross for blood donations,
with 15 staff members donating blood on average for each session.
Dr Leise Berven assumed the chair of the Staff Forum during the year, replacing long-serving
co-chairs Dr Janice Abbey and Ms Gillian Duffy. We gratefully acknowledge their contributions.
2012 staff survey
The FSANZ 2012 staff suivey, conducted by ORIMA Research, demonstrated that FSANZ
has maintained strong results in the three key outcome indicators: staff engagement,
staff satisfaction and staff loyalty/commitment. Generally, results showed a slight decline from
the very positive 2010 results, but were more positive than or comparable with 2008 results.
ORIMA compared FSANZ results with the overall APS results and APS small agency results
from the 2011 APSC State of the Service Survey. Small APS agencies tend to have many
factors in common, such as higher average levels of staff satisfaction, but more limited
opportunities for career development. The APS small agency averages are generally higher,
making them more challenging benchmarks for FSANZ to be compared with.
80 PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITY
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Compared with the APS overall, FSANZ staff reported higher levels of satisfaction with their
jobs (82% satisfied, compared with 70% for the APS overall and 75% for small APS agencies).
As shown below in Figure 3, the findings were consistent with 2008 and 2010 FSANZ results.
For the first time since FSANZ began commissioning staff sun/eys, individual reports for each
branch have been prepared. These will be used by General Managers to identify key areas for
improvement that are specific to their respective branches.
One area for FSANZ to improve on is creating a culture of innovation. Whereas 88% of APS
staff, and 91 % of APS small agency staff agreed that *ä am constantly looking for better
ways to do things', only 84% of FSANZ staff agreed that they were always looking for better
ways to do things. Similarly, only 60% of FSANZ staff were satisfied with their chance to be
creative, compared to 65% of APS small agency staff.
The proportion of staff reporting that they intend to leave FSANZ in the next two years increased
from 24% in 2010 to 34% in 2012. However, there was only a slight increase in staff intending
to leave FSANZ in the next 12 months. ORIMA have indicated that this measure tends to
fluctuate in line with overall confidence in the APS job market, as well as staff job satisfaction.
Intentions do not always translate into action, as shown by staff retention rates which remain
very high in FSANZ.
Figure 3: Staff satisfaction with current job 2012
100 %
60%
FSANZ 2010 FSANZ 2008 APS
(overall)
APS
(small agencies)
FSANZ2012
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Sustainable development
FSANZ is a tenant in commercial premises, yet we have implemented whole-of-government
action to reduce our carbon footprint as an agency. This has been achieved by requesting
changes from the building owners and by encouraging *green * behaviours by our staff.
In 2010-11, we agreed with the building owner to sign a green lease when our Canberra
lease is renewed in January 2013. The owner undertook to raise the energy efficiency of our
Canberra office to a 5-star energy rating and also to install state-of-the-art energy efficient
air conditioning and heating systems. This latter improvement is resulting in an overall
reduction in energy consumption of over 50% a year.
We signed a whole-of-government electricity supply contract which, as well as saving us
money, also provides detailed reports that allow us to monitor our electricity use. We installed
heat-reflecting blinds on the side of the building most exposed to sunlight to keep interior
temperatures lower in summer and reduced our carbon footprint from airline travel between
Canberra and our New Zealand office by increasing our use of video conferencing.
New, more cost-efficient multifunction copiers have enabled us to reduce the environmental
impact of copying, including the use of paper. In addition, during the year, the agency
organised a *paper challenge * to staff to find ways of reducing the use of paper in their work.
We began the distribution of tablets (e.g. iPads) to staff to eliminate the need for hard-copy
papers at meetings.
FSANZ employment profile
In tables 12-17 below, we provide a summary of our employment profile for the year,
compared with that for 2010-11 and with the Australian Public Service. APS statistics were
obtained from the State of the Service Report 2010-11 . Data for FSANZ and the APS are
as at 30 June for the year in question.
Table 12: Total employees
Total employees 141 166,495 138
Total employees (ongoing) 119 153,315 117
Total employees (non-ongoing) 22 13,180 21
New Zealand-based employees (ongoing) 11 N/A 11
New Zealand-based employees (non-ongoing) 4 N/A 4
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ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
During the year, the FSANZ workforce decreased slightly from 141 employees in 2010-11
to 138 employees,
Table 13: Stability and mobility
New starters (% employees ongoing) 5.0%
(7 people)
10.7% 3.6%
(5 people)
New starters (% employees non-ongoing) 10.6%
(15 people)
N/A9.4% (13 people)
Separations (% employees ongoing) 13.4%
(16 people)
6.2%
(ongoing)
7.7%
(9 people)
Retention rate (% ongoing employees) 86.6%
(103 people)
93.8% 92.3%
(108 people)
The number of ongoing new starters fell from 5.0% to 3.6%, reflecting management *s
response to increased efficiency dividends announced by the Australian Government and
the appointment of non-ongoing staff for specific projects, with defined short-term funding.
Canberra continued to experience a tight employment market. However, the high retention
rate is probably also due, in part, to the high levels of satisfaction reported by FSANZ
employees in the recent staff survey. These results are reflected in a 92.3% retention rate for
ongoing employees, which has increased over the past three years. If, however, we consider
only those staff leaving the APS, the FSANZ staff retention rate would increase to 95.7%.
Table 14: Workforce diversity
Indigenous Australian employees 0.0% 2.1% 0.0%
Employees with disability N/A 3% 2.2%
(3 people)
NESB1 (employees in Australia) 10.6%
(15 people)
5.1% 7.2%
(10 people)
Women. 66.7%
(94 people)
57.4% 65.2%
(90 people)
Non-ongoing employees 15.6%
(22 people)
7.9% 15.2%
(21 people)
Part-time employees (ongoing) 15.6%
(22 people)
13.8% 20.3%
(28 people)
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Part-time employees (non-ongoing) 2.8%
(4 people)
38.8% 1.5%
(2 people)
Part-time female employees 16.3%
(23 people)
21.2% 18.1%
(25 people)
Part-time male employees 2.1%
(3 people)
4% 3.6%
(5 people)
The number of employees from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB1) decreased
from 10.6% in June 2011 to 7.2%.
Please note that FSANZ does not require staff to disclose whether they are affected by
a disability. Statistics issued by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, suggest that 18.5%
of the population suffer from some form of disability.
FSANZ *s female workforce has remained stable at 65.2%. This percentage of female
employees is higher than the APS (57.4%) and has remained steady over the past 15 years.
It reflects the nature of our work as much as our family-friendly work environment, such as
providing access to flexible working arrangements through the FSANZ Enterprise Agreement.
Non-ongoing employees fell slightly from 15.6% to 15.2% of our workforce, partly due to
the non-renewal of contracts, compared to 7.9% in the APS.
Table 15: Workforce experience
New starters (% all employees) 15.6%
(22 people)
N/A 13.0%
(18 people)
Re-engagements (% ongoing new starters) 2.1%
(3 people)
4.1%
(ongoing)
0.0%
Re-engagements (% non-ongoing new starters) 0.7% 17.1% 2.2%
(3 people)
Average length of service in APS (ongoing) 9.4 years 8.5 years
(ongoing)
11.5 years
Average length of service in APS (non-ongoing) 2.6 years N/A 1.7 years
% of employees having worked in more than one APS agency 41.0% (58 people)
29.3% 41.3%
(57 people)
84 PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITY
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
The percentage of total re-engagements to the APS is significantly lower than the APS
average. Given the specialised nature of many of our job vacancies, they often attract
applicants from a wide range of private, academic and state government work environments.
We view this as a positive situation, bringing new ideas and expertise to the agency.
Table 16: Ageing workforce
Employees >55yo (% employees) 24.2%
(34 people)
14.1%
(ongoing)
23.9%
(33 people)
Separations of ongoing >55yo (%) 2.8%
(4 people)
28.4% 1.5%
(2 people)
Separations of non-ongoing >55yo (%) 0.7%
(1 person)
N/A1.5% (2 people)
Re-engagement of non-ongoing >55yo (% of age group) 0.7% (1 person)
48.2% 0.0%
FSANZ *s ageing workforce has slightly decreased from 24.2% in 2010-11 to 23.9%, with the
retirement of two employees. This is higher than the APS figure (14.1%) and remains a
concern for management. We intend to address this issue further in our review of workforce
planning and capability.
Table 17: Classification structure
APS levels (% employees) 40.5%
(57 people)
70.5% 37.7%
(52 people)
EL levels (% employees) 55.3%
(78 people)
26.4% 58.0%
(80 people)
SES (% employees) 4.2%
(6 people)
1.8% 4.3%
(6 people)
Staff promoted (% employees) 2.1%
(3 people)
0.8%
(ongoing)
2.2%
(3 people)
Due to the nature of work and structure of FSANZ (high levels of specialist scientific staff),
the proportion of APS-level employees (37.7%) is significantly less than the APS average
of 70.5%.
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Employment environment
Enterprise Agreement
Our previous Enterprise Agreement (EA) expired on 30 June 2011. Preparations for
appointing a negotiating committee began in January 2011 and we began discussions
in March 2011. Negotiations took longer than expected, with the vote by staff taking place
in September 2011. Staff supported a new three-year agreement, which came into effect
in November 2011. The new EA has a nominal expiry date of 30 June 2014.
The terms and conditions agreed by staff and unions in the EA were consistent with
Government policy, including the requirement that increases in salaries are fully offset from
within the existing budgets by improvements in productivity.
While our New Zealand employees are not eligible to be included in the Australian EA, they had
observers on the negotiating committee. Following finalisation of the EA, individual New Zealand
staff agreements were revised to match the terms and conditions of the Australian EA,
except where New Zealand workplace legislation took precedent.
Occupational health and safety
The Australian Government *s Work Health and Safety Act 2011 came into effect on
1 January 2012. FSANZ reviewed all its policies and procedures to ensure that it met the
requirements of the legislation. However, while all key requirements of the legislation are
already in place, we have scheduled appropriate training courses to inform staff of the
provisions of the legislation as part of the learning and development program.
Our Occupational Health and Safety Committee continued to meet on a quarterly basis to
report on selected issues. No accidents or injuries were reported to the committee or to
the Staff Forum during the year and, importantly for our premiums, there were no incidents
filed with Comcare.
In 2011-12, we changed our Employee Assistance Program (EAR) provider following a tender
process undertaken by the Department of Health and Ageing to identify a new provider for the
portfolio. The EAR provides employees with access to confidential professional counselling to
assist with work and personal issues and provides training programs to help staff manage in
the workplace. Employees are also able to access a range of flexible working arrangements
that promote work-life balance.
86 PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITY
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Workplace wellness
The Workplace Wellness Program facilitated a number of activities to encourage staff to
become more health-conscious, physically active and to achieve an appropriate work-life
balance. Weekly yoga sessions continued to be well attended. There was strong participation
in the three-week challenge aimed at encouraging participants to walk at least 10,000 steps
each day. Staff also participated in Are you OK day; which was promoted across the
organisation by senior executives.
As in previous years, we provided staff with free on-site influenza vaccinations. In addition,
because of our ageing workforce, we offered free hearing tests to staff for the first time.
Some 42 staff members took up the offer, with two being identified as needing further
testing. We continued to fund eyesight testing and corrective lenses to approved levels
for all staff required to operate screen-based equipment.
Personal/carers leave use was 8.9 days per employee.
Learning and development
Each year, FSANZ employees and their supervisors agree on a schedule of professional
development covering technical and non-technical capabilities. Most discipline-specific
training is organised at section level. Other education and training opportunities are either
provided by the Australian Public Service Commission or by the agency through its human
resources function, e.g. time management courses.
All staff * ongoing and non-ongoing * have an annual budget for professional development
but, at no cost to the agency, mentoring and in-house tuition supplement these paid
opportunities. We intend to re-assess our professional development programs once our
capability framework is finalised, tailoring the programs more closely to individual needs.
Workplace harassment and bullying
In 2011-12, Harassment Contact Officers (HCOs) completed their biennial refresher training
program and we provided training on bullying and harassment to all staff members. The Staff
Forum adopted bullying and harassment as a standing item on its agenda to ensure that the
matter continues to be given a high profile in the agency, No formal complaints of bullying
and harassment were made during the year.
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Workplace diversity
We reviewed and extensively revised our Workplace Diversity Strategy to ensure it remained
relevant to current needs. The strategy for 2012-15 represents FSANZ *s response to identified
areas of potential disadvantage for employees. It aims to create a supportive, flexible and
fair workplace in which differences between employees are respected and viewed as an
organisational asset.
Rewards and recognition
FSANZ has a program to reward and recognise individuals or teams who perform their
work over and above expectations. A panel of representatives from each branch assesses
nominations and makes a recommendation to the Chief Executive Officer.
The Chair *s Annual Development award is made by the FSANZ Chair on behalf of the CEO
and executive team and recognises significant one-off achievements or contributions by
individuals or teams. The recipient for 2011-12 was Jenny Hazelton for her outstanding
contribution to the work of the agency and, in particular, in managing the response to
the Review of Labelling Law and Policy (the Blewett Report).
The Australia Day Achievement
Medallion acknowledges an individual
or team that has demonstrated
achievements beyond the expectations
of their role. In January 2012,
the recipient was Cathie Humphries
for exemplary service as Parliamentary
Liaison Officer and Standards
Management Officer.
The CEO *s Half-Yearly Award
acknowledges team or individual
contributions towards the corporate
goals of FSANZ. This year *s recipients
were Peter Keegan, Melanie Perin,
Joy Gosden, Dr Matthew O *Mullane,
Dave Meier, Colleen Seamons and
Dr Leise Berven.
CEO Steve McCutcheon with the Australia Day Achievement Medallion recipient, Cathie Humphries.
88 PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITY
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Organisational structure
FSANZ *s six-member executive team includes the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Scientist,
General Manager Risk Assessment Branch, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and General
Manager Food Standards (Canberra) Branch, General Manager Food Standards (Wellington)
Branch and General Manager Legal and Regulatory Affairs Branch,
To separate the risk assessment and risk management functions of the agency, we conduct
these activities within different branches.
The Food Standards Branch in Canberra is largely responsible for risk management in relation to
food safety standards in the Food Standards Code, for coordinating Australia-wide responses
to food incidents and for nutrition and public health activities. The branch is also responsible
for corporate operations, finance, consumer and social sciences, regulatory analysis and ICT.
The corresponding branch in Wellington is responsible for developing labelling and compositional
standards (including product safety) and for information and finance.
Our Risk Assessment Branch carries out the scientific evaluation of risks to human health
through food, including collecting compositional information, dietary modelling and
evaluating the effectiveness of food standards.
Our work is organised in sections, as set out on the organisation chart (Figure 1) in the
Corporate Overview.
Senior management
Working under the strategic directions established by the Board, the executive leads and
effectively manages the operations of the agency. The management group, comprising section
managers and the executive, meets weekly. Section managers, and their general managers,
are responsible for supervising staff to ensure they meet milestones, appropriately use budgets
and staffing resources and contribute effectively to our goals and outcomes.
During the year, six senior executive service staff received performance bonuses totalling
$113,643 and 22 employees received performance payments totalling $145,388.
At 30 June 2012, our executive team comprised:
Steve McCutcheon *Chief Executive Officer
Mr McCutcheon is responsible to the FSANZ Board for the efficient administration of the
agency and, in conjunction with the Board, for the corporate and strategic directions of
FSANZ. He is also an ex officio member of the Board.
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Melanie Fisher-Deputy Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Food Standards
(Canberra)
Ms Fisher is responsible for risk management associated with developing food standards
that primarily address health and safety matters, including standards for the primary
industries, as well as for the agency *s social sciences and regulatory impact and analysis
activities, and innovation and reform. In addition, she has senior management responsibility
for corporate services, including a library, human resources and ICT functions.
Dr Paul Brent * Chief Scientist
Dr Brent has executive responsibility for FSANZ *s scientific work, data collection activities
(including dietary modelling) and developing collaborative relations with scientific institutions
and the program that evaluates the impact of our standard setting activities. He also
coordinates our scientific relations with international agencies, especially Codex.
Dr Andrew Bartholomaeus *General Manager (Risk Assessment)
Dr Bartholomaeus has executive oversight of the agency *s risk assessment activities involving
chemical, microbiological and nutritional analyses and the assessment of the BSE status
of overseas countries.
Dean Stockwell *General Manager Food Standards (Wellington)
Mr Stockwell is responsible for the risk management functions associated with developing
food standards that address labelling and information matters, food contaminants,
food composition, food additives and foods requiring pre-approval such as novel foods.
Mr Stockwell is the senior FSANZ representative in New Zealand and is responsible for
managing relationships with consumers, industry, government and other stakeholders there.
He also has executive responsibility for finance.
Peter May *General Manager Legal and Regulatory Affairs
Mr May is responsible for corporate governance, oversight of the Office of General Counsel
(an independent provider of internal legal advice), maintaining the Food Standards Code,
and parliamentary and ministerial liaison. He also has executive oversight of communication
and stakeholder engagement.
90 PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITY
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Accountability
Strategic imperative
" complying with relevant governance and accountability requirements
Objectives
" a continued culture of excellent governance
" appropriate systems in place and regularly checked
Outcomes
" total compliance with legislative and reporting requirements
" government confidence in FSANZ *s ability to manage its work and resources
Highlights
In 2011-12 FSANZ:
" received seven freedom of information requests
" organised internal audits of workforce planning, procurement processes,
disaster response and business continuity planning and provided advice to
stakeholders on the operation of the Food Standards Code
" developed a corporate plan for 2012-15, structured around three strategic
imperatives * building food standards and practices, strengthening our
evidence-based approach to regulation and helping consumers make informed
decisions
" tested our Business Continuity Plan successfully against a number of scenarios
" transferred New Zealand staff to new premises in Wellington after an assessment
of the earthquake risk for the building housing the New Zealand office proved
to be too high.
92 ACCOUNTABILITY
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Introduction
Accountability only exists where there are proper accounting practices. This annual report
is a case in point. The content of this report is determined by requirements of the FSANZ
Act, the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act T997 and the Report of Operations
Schedule of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies (Report of Operations)
Orders 2011.
These requirements demonstrate to the Australian Parliament wise stewardship by the
FSANZ Board of the expenditure of public monies in meeting the agency *s objectives.
Financial accountability is a key part of our accountability structure along with demonstrating
how we meet our objectives, determine our priorities and apply ethical considerations in
running a regulatory business.
Added to this is the Statement of Expectations issued by the Parliamentary Secretary for the
year, which can found on our website. The statement outlines how FSANZ should operate to
meet its key objectives. For 2011-12, the statement includes our short-term and long-term
priorities, stakeholder relationships, compliance activities and our role as an employer.
FSANZ provided the Parliamentary Secretary with a Statement of Intent (also available on our
website) in which we outlined our response to the Parliamentary Secretary *s expectations.
Our system of rolling internal audits ensures that our processes are not only robust and
appropriate, but also consistent with our legislative remit. We have a Corporate Plan and
other planning strategies that provide overarching directions for staff and signals to the
community of where FSANZ *s priorities lie. We pursue a policy of transparency in ail our
work as the ultimate accounting practice.
The Board's Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee maintains oversight of our
accountability processes. Areas under surveillance include possible non-compliance with
governmental and international regulatory requirements, such as the FSANZ Act, inaccurate
recording and reporting of financial transactions and failures of the Food Standards Code to
achieve our regulatory objectives.
This standing committee of the Board requires FSANZ staff to demonstrate that measures are
in place to mitigate the inherent risks associated with these potential failures of accountability,
and reduce their impact on the agency. The committee also monitors mitigation measures
applied by the agency to other strategic and operational risks, including potential failures in
workforce planning, reputation and credibility, and conflicts of interest by Board members.
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Accountability aspects of governance are thereby well-entrenched in FSANZ.
However, as stated above and in previous annual reports, transparency is the key to good
accounting practice. By making our approaches, processes and decisions publicly available,
we receive feedback from consumers, the food industry and our regulatory partners on how
well we are meeting our legislative obligations.
Such feedback can and does keep us honest and mindful that we are ultimately accountable
to the people of Australia and New Zealand for ensuring a safe food supply.
Our role and priorities
FSANZ *s main and subsidiary objectives for developing food standards are set out in
Section 18 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991. Our functions are
outlined in Section 13 of the Act. These legislative requirements determine the way we
do our core business.
Our goal is to achieve a high degree of public confidence in the safety and quality of
food. This goal is shared by all elements of the food regulatory system. Our outputs *
food standards * provide the food industry with the regulatory framework for conducting
business, but the ultimate beneficiaries of our work are the Australian and New Zealand
populations.
FSANZ developed a Strategic Map for 2009-12 which appears in Appendix 12. The map
describes how the FSANZ Board has translated the agency *s legislative responsibilities into
a strategic approach to guide our work into the future.
Central to this approach are the four strategic imperatives of the agency for 2011-12:
" enhancing the quality of regulatory standards
" building stronger stakeholder relationships
" continuing to strengthen the organisational capability and capacity of FSANZ
" complying with relevant governance and accountability requirements.
These imperatives provide the framework for our annual undertakings to the Australian
Parliament, outlined in Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS), and reflected in the aims of
Program 1,1 of the Health and Ageing PBS. We report against the deliverables and key
performance indicators of Program 1.1 in the section on priorities and performance in
this report.
94 ACCOUNTABILITY
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Regulatory partners
FSANZ is one of three elements of the food regulatory system. The COAG Legislative and
Governance Forum on Food Regulation, convening as the Australia and New Zealand Food
Regulation Ministerial Council, supported by the Food Regulation Standing Committee
(FRSC), develops and provides policy guidance on food regulation. The states, territories
and New Zealand implement provisions of the Food Standards Code, increasingly through
the coordination activities of the Implementation Sub-Committee of FRSC, of which FSANZ
is also a member.
Australian states and territories
Under a 1991 inter-governmental agreement (updated in 2008), the states and territories agreed
to adopt, without variation, food standards recommended by the National Food Authority
(now FSANZ). The purpose of the 1991 agreement was to consolidate responsibility for
developing food standards into one specialist agency and to ensure the uniformity of food
standards across all states and territories.
New Zealand
On 1 July 1996, a treaty between Australia and New Zealand to establish a single joint
food-standards system came into force. The joint arrangement (last updated in 2010)
aims to harmonise food standards between the two countries, reduce compliance costs
for industry and help remove regulatory barriers to trade in food.
The treaty does not cover maximum residue limits, food hygiene provisions, primary
production standards and export requirements relating to third country trade. It contains
provisions that allow New Zealand to opt out of a joint standard for exceptional reasons
relating to health, safety, trade, environmental concerns or cultural issues. In such cases,
FSANZ may be asked to prepare a variation to a standard to apply only in New Zealand.
An amended treaty with New Zealand was signed in July 2010.
We work collaboratively with the Ministry for Primary Industries, which has carriage of food
standards matters in New Zealand.
Requests under FOI legislation
In 2011-12, FSANZ received seven requests for access to documents under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982. Three related to requests for documents associated
with applications under consideration by FSANZ. We refused one request for access to
documents, as the request did not adequately identify the document(s) sought as required
under section 15(2)(b) of the Act.
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We received three third-party consultation requests from state authorities about documents
affecting FSANZ, We also received two consultation requests from Australian Government
agencies and, even though the Act does not formally provide for third-party consultations
between federal agencies, we engaged in these consultations as a matter of good practice.
FOI requests received
1* 4** 3 7
* This request was transferred to the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing as the subject matter of the documents was more closely connected with that department *s functions.
** Two of these requests were treated as one application, as the subject matter for both requests was very similar.
Corporate governance arrangements
Government and parliament
Most contact with the office of our Parliamentary Secretary, the Hon Catherine King MR, related
to information, parliamentary-related functions and providing public affairs support. We also
provide the Parliamentary Secretary *s and Minister's offices with weekly *hot issues * reports.
FSANZ performance
Ministerial correspondence
2011-12 1071 0 0 0 0 107 119
100% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100%
2010-11 3441 0 0 0 0 344 25
100% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100%
2009-10 223 5 0 1 0 230 38
97.5% 2% 0% 0.5% 0% 100%
1 This includes 7 responses that were provided by the due date, but were processed the next working day.
2 This includes 6 responses that were provided by the due date, but were processed the next working day.
FSANZ assisted the Department of Health and Ageing, other Australian government
departments and state and territory governments by providing input to correspondence
on matters relating to our agency responsibilities.
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Issues raised in correspondence included palm oil labelling, general food safety issues,
bisphenol A, food additives, raw milk, general labelling issues, low THC hemp, olive oil
labelling, health claims, country of origin labelling, carbendazim maximum residue limits,
imported food, irradiation and genetically modified food.
Minutes
53
Issues raised in Minutes included FSANZ Board outcomes, BSE risk assessment updates,
updates on mandatory reporting of food-related illnesses, progress of matters before the
Federal Court and the AAT, imported food from Japan, releases of surveys and FOI matters.
Briefing Note Requests
3 4 0 0
FSANZ also assisted the Department of Health and Ageing or other departments by providing
input for briefings.
Parliamentary Questions on Notice
0 0 0 0
Although we received no Parliamentary Questions on Notice, we provided input for a number
of answers to questions managed by the Department of Health and Ageing.
Senate Estimates
Senior staff members were required to appear before Senate Estimates on three occasions
during the year (October 2011, February 2012 and May 2012). Issues raised during the hearings
and in subsequent Questions on Notice included safety and labelling of genetically modified and
irradiated food, the release of a report relating to alcohol advisory statements, amendments to
the Code, maximum reside limits, health claims, olive oil labelling and testing of imported food.
We also provided input into a number of answers to Questions on Notice being managed
by the Department of Health and Ageing.
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Question Time briefings (QTBs)
FSANZ prepared more than 20 briefings, either as new QTBs or updates to existing QTBs, on a
range of issues. We also provided input to a number of QTBs prepared by other areas in the
portfolio, or other departments, where the issues crossed portfolio or agency responsibilities.
Issues included the release of FOi documents, low THC hemp, food recalls, genetically modified
food safety, bisphenol A, imported food and other general food safety issues.
Senate Select Committee - Inquiry into the food processing sector
FSANZ gave a briefing to members of the committee on FSANZ *s role in food standard-setting.
We responded to a question on notice following the briefing. The outcome of this inquiry is
not expected to directly affect FSANZ.
FSANZ Board
FSANZ has a 12-member Board appointed by the Australian Government Minister for Health
and Ageing, following consultation with the Australian, state, territory and New Zealand
governments. Members of the Board have been drawn from a number of areas of expertise
covering public health, food science, medical science, consumer policy, primary industry,
the National Health and Medical Research Council, the food industry and government.
All members are part-time, except for the Chief Executive Officer. Details of the qualifications
of Board members and their attendance at meetings are summarised in Appendix 11.
FSANZ 2011 -2012 Board members Back (left to right): Dr James (Gardner) Murray AO, Dr Andrew McKenzie QSO, Mr Steve McCutcheon (CEO), Dr Dave Roberts, Mr Tony Nowell CNZM, Mr Neil Walker JP, Professor Stephen Corbett and Mr Peter Boyden. Front (left to right): Ms Jenni Mack, Dr Michele Allan, Ms Philippa Smith AM (Chair) and Professor Katrine Baghurst.
98 ACCOUNTABILITY
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The four-year appointment of Board Chair Ms Philippa Smith, AM, commenced on
1 July 2008, On 22 June 2012, the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing,
the Hon Catherine King, MP, announced that Ms Smith had been reappointed to the
position for a further four years.
The terms of Associate Professor Peter Williams and Professor Winsome Parnell ceased
on 30 June 2011.
The CEO of FSANZ is an ex-officio member of the Board. Mr Steve McCutcheon was
appointed CEO on 29 October 2007. The then Food Regulation Ministerial Council and
the Prime Minister approved a recommendation from the Board that Mr McCutcheon *s
appointment should be extended to 29 October 2015.
The Board meets at least four times per year and also convenes through teleconferences
to discuss urgent issues. Five Board meetings and four Board teleconferences were held
in 2011-12. Members also considered matters out of session. FSANZ publishes outcomes
of Board meetings on its website.
Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee
The FSANZ Board has established its Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee
(FARMC) to provide it with independent advice on FSANZ's risk, control, compliance and
governance activities and frameworks. FARMC assists the Board and staff to fulfil their
obligations under Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 and to meet other
legislative and governance requirements.
In 2011-12, FARMC, under its chair Dr Michele Allan, continued its involvement in corporate
governance and risk management activities, advising the Board on FSANZ *s appetite for
risk in relation to strategic, operational and fraud control matters. The committee monitors
the identification and management of risks to FSANZ, providing assurance that reasonable
steps have been taken to address the risks by reducing the likelihood they (and their
consequences) will occur.
FARMC also oversees our corporate risk assessment processes, and these risk assessments
inform both FARMC *s risk monitoring activities and the Strategic Internal Audit Plan.
Internal audits considered by FARMC in 2011-12 related to workforce planning, procurement
processes, disaster response and business continuity planning and the provision of advice
to stakeholders on the operation of the Food Standards Code.
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FARMC continued to provide an important oversight role for a broad range of accountability
activities in the agency, including monitoring revisions of the Chief Executive *s Instructions,
legislative delegations, and the annual Portfolio Budget Statements. FARMC also endorsed
FSANZ *s decision to reappoint our existing internal audit contractor for a further three years.
Business planning and management
Strategic and corporate planning
FSANZ and its Board operate within a three-year strategic planning cycle, with annual updates
of the Business Plan and Portfolio Budget Statements underpinning a three-year Corporate Plan.
During the year the Board developed and endorsed a new Corporate Plan for 2012-15.
The 2012-15 Corporate Plan is structured around three strategic imperatives:
" build and sustain food standards and practices
" maintain a transparent and evidence-based approach to regulation and the
management of food risk
" provide support for informed consumer decisions by collecting and providing
relevant information.
These imperatives are supported by five key enablers * FSANZ *s scientific capacity, the quality
and dedication of its people, a strong communication capability, appropriate and effective
governance, and an ability to look forward and respond to emerging issues.
The purpose of the Corporate Plan is to provide FSANZ staff, stakeholders and government
with a distinct vision of our work and aspirations. The plan provides a clear link between
our responsibilities under the Act, our commitments to government in the Portfolio Budget
Statements and the day-to-day work of our staff.
Training
FSANZ conducts an annual training session for its Board members, which generally covers
issues such as the duties and responsibilities of directors; the unique perspective of a Board
functioning under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act; the need for directors
to have an independent view and governance compared with management. An education
session was held for Board members in August 2011, conducted by the Australian Institute
of Company Directors.
100 ACCOUNTABILITY
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Statement of interests
The FSANZ Act requires that the FSANZ Board establish and maintain a system for
declaring and registering material personal interests of its members. The Act also requires
that the entries recorded in the register of members * material personal interests be published
on FSANZ *s website. The Board has also resolved that, as a matter of good practice,
certain other interests of its members be published on the website. These include pecuniary
and non-pecuniary interests relevant to the agency *s roles and responsibilities.
Insurance
FSANZ maintains directors * and officers * liability insurance through Comcover, which may
assist Board members in responding to legal claims made against them in the course of
their duties.
Portfolio Budget Statements and performance measurement
FSANZ *s planned outcome for 2011-12, as set out in the Portfolio Budget Statements,
was to deliver:
A safe food supply and well-informed consumers in Australia and New Zealand,
including through the development of food regulatory measures and the promotion
of their consistent implementation, coordination of food recall activities and the
monitoring of consumer and industry food practices.
In support of this outcome, we pursued three program objectives for 2011-12:
" to manage the development and maintenance of effective evidence-based food
standards contributing to the provision of a safe food supply
" to ensure effective engagement with regulatory partners in the implementation of
food standards to protect public health and safety
" to strengthen engagement with industry, consumers and the general community
to increase awareness of the food regulatory system.
Under Priorities and Performance (page 21), we report against the deliverables and key
performance indicators in the Portfolio Budget Statements and the targets for 2011-12.
Business continuity management
Business continuity management provides a framework to enable FSANZ to recover quickly
from any major disruptive event, so we can continue to provide a service to stakeholders
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and protect our reputation. Disruptive incidents can arise by accident or through natural
disasters. For example, our New Zealand office could be affected by an earthquake and so
we have prepared a separate set of documents to ensure staff in Wellington and Canberra
are able to respond appropriately in such an event.
In 2011, we commissioned a review of our Business Continuity Plan (BCR), which resulted
in a complete redrafting of the plan bringing it into line with best practice. As part of the BCP,
we finalised a Disaster Recovery Plan which involved establishing an off-site back-up for our
computer systems.
To ensure our preparedness we tested our BCP in February 2012 under a number of different
scenarios. Internal auditors reviewed the BCP and found it to be robust and effective.
Chief Executive Instructions
Much of the policy for our day-to-day operations is governed by Chief Executive Instructions
(CEIs), covering general administration, financial management, human resources, information
technology and security. In 2011-12 we introduced a new category * Enterprise Agreement
Supporting Policies (EASPs) * to support our Enterprise Agreement for 2011-14.
In 2011-12, we completely redrafted CEIs for general recruitment, Indigenous recruitment,
disabled recruitment, and security, as well as revising our document management policies
to include the handling of electronic documents.
Accommodation
The lease to our Wellington office in New Zealand expired in January 2012. We conducted
a review of our accommodation needs in Wellington and concluded that, due to concerns
about the building's ability to withstand an earthquake, the office should be relocated. Suitable
premises were located in the Wellington CBD and staff moved in at the end of June 2012.
The Canberra office lease will expire in January 2013. In accordance with Australian
Government policy, we reviewed all options, including the possibility of moving to a new
location. Following extensive negotiations with the building owners at our present location,
the executive agreed that FSANZ would remain in its current premises, as it provided
significant savings over the life of the lease.
Consultants, competitive tendering and contractors
We spent $1.824 million on consultants and contractors during the year on services and
products costing more than $10,000 (see Appendix 9 for details).
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Appendix 1 - Gazetted amendments to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012
Gazettal and registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments of amendments to
the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code occurs throughout the year after the Forum
on Food Regulation notifies FSANZ that it does not need to review its decision on a standard
or a variation to a standard; or if, after a review by FSANZ, the Forum accepts or amends the
standards or variation to a standard. Each series of amendments is sequentially numbered.
FSANZ gazetted amendments to the Food Standards Code relating to the following
applications and proposals.
Amendment No. 124(11 July 2011)
Application At 030 - Calcium Lignosulphonate (40-65) as a Food Additive
To permit the use of calcium lignosulphonate (40-65) as a carrier in preparations of food additives and nutrients and other functional ingredients to facilitate their introduction into water-based foods
Application At 037 - Steviol Glycosides - Increase in Permitted Use Levels
To approve an increase to 200 mg/kg steviol equivalents for the permitted use level for ice cream, water based beverages, brewed soft drinks, formulated beverages, flavoured soy beverages and to 100 mg/kg steviol equivalents for plain soy beverages
Application A1049 - Food derived from Herbicide-tolerant, High Oleic Acid Soybean Line MON87705
To seek permission for food derived from soybean genetically modified to contain an improved fatty acid profile
Proposal P1013 - Code Maintenance IX To make amendments to Standards as considered necessary for reasons of clarification and to correct minor typographical errors
or inconsistencies, including updating references, amendment or deletion of outdated provisions, correcting some typographical and formatting issues, and correcting cross references
Amendment No. 125 (8 September 2011)
Application A1034 - Advantame as a High Intensity Sweetener
To approve Advantame for use in table top sugar substitutes and a range of powdered beverages including fruit drinks, milks and milk flavoured drinks, instant tea and coffee, and protein drinks
Application A1050 - Glycerophospholipid Cholesterol Acyltransferase as a Processing Aid
To seek approval for acyltransferase, produced from a genetically modified strain of Bacillus licheniformis, for use as an emulsifier
104 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 201 1-2012
Amendment No. 126 (13 October 2011)
Application A1026 - Minimum Alcohol Content for Wine To reduce the minimum alcohol content for wine and sparkling wine in Standard 4.5.1 from 8% to 4.5% alc/vol
Application A1042 - Food derived from Herbicide-tolerant Corn Line DAS-40278-9
To seek permission for food derived from herbicide-tolerant corn line genetically modified to provide resistance to broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D and other related chemicals
Amendment No. 127 (17 November 2011)
Application A1041 - Food derived from SDA Soybean Line MON87769
To seek permission for food derived from soybean genetically modified to contain stearidonic acid (SDA), an alternate source of omega-3 fatty acid
Application A1046 - Food derived from Herbicide-tolerant Soybean Line DAS-68416-4
To seek permission for food derived from soybeans genetically modified to provide tolerance to the herbicides, 2,4-D and glufosinate
Application A1047 - Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose as a Food Additive in Wine
To permit the use of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as a food additive (stabiliser) in wine
Amendment No. 128 (12 January 2012)
Application A1057 - Endo-protease (EC 3.4.21.26) as a Processing Aid (Enzyme)
To seek approval for endo-protease, produced by fermentation of a self-cloned strain of Aspergillus niger, to be used in the preparation of beer
Proposal P1004 - Production & Processing Standard for Seed Sprouts
To develop a primary production and processing standard to address food safety concerns resulting from consumption of seed sprouts available for sale for human consumption in Australia
Amendment No. 129 (9 February 2012)
Application A1051 - Food To approve food derived from a genetically modified soybean with derived from Herbicide-tolerant a tolerance to the herbicides glyphosate and isoxazole, to reduce Soybean Event FG72 cultivation needs
Amendment No. 130 (26 April 2012)
Application A1056 - Dimethyl Ether as a Processing Aid for Dairy Ingredients & Products
To seek approval to permit the use of dimethyl ether as an extraction solvent processing aid to treat all dairy ingredients and dairy products
Application A1060 - Food derived from Insect-protected Corn Line 5307
To seek permission for food derived from insect-protected corn genetically modified to provide protection from damage from corn rootworm
Application A1062 - Dimethyl Ether as a Processing Aid for Non-dairy Ingredients & Products
To seek approval to permit the use of dimethyl ether as an extraction solvent processing aid to treat all foods except dairy ingredients and dairy products
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Application A1054 - Dibromo-dimethylhydantoin (DBDMH) as a Processing Aid
To approve the use of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DBDMH) as an antimicrobial processing aid to be added to water for treating poultry and meat carcasses and other animal parts
Application A1061 - Amylomaltase as a Processing Aid (Enzyme)
To permit the use of a new enzyme processing aid, amylomaltase sourced from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens containing the gene for amylomaltase isolated from Thermus thermophilis (for use to produce modified starch products as an ingredient in dairy products)
Application A1063 - Food derived from Herbicide-tolerant Soybean MON87708
To seek permission for food derived from a genetically modified soybean to provide tolerance to the herbicide Dicamba
Proposal P1007 - Primary Production & Processing Requirements for Raw Milk Products
To consider the risks associated with the production and sale of raw (unpasteurised) milk products in Australia and possible risk management measures to address the identified risks
Proposal P242 - Food for Special Medical Purposes To develop a Standard for foods permitted for special dietary and medical purposes
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority gazetted and registered on
the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments a number of amendments to Schedule 1
of Standard 1.4.2
Amendment APVMA1 16 August 2011
Amendment APVMA2 30 August 2011
Amendment APVMA3 27 September 2011
Amendment APVMA4 8 November 2011
Amendment APVMA5 6 December 2011
Amendment APVMA6 17 January 2012
Amendment APVMA7 31 January 2012
Amendment APVMA8 14 February 2012
Amendment APVMA9 27 March 2012
Amendment APVMA10 24 April 2012
Amendment APVMA11 5 June 2012
106 APPENDIXES
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Appendix 2 - Applications received and proposals prepared at 30 June 2012
Applications received and proposals prepared before 1 October 2007
Section 69 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (in force before 1 July 2007)
requires FSANZ to report on its processing of applications and proposals in the following
manner:
During 2011-12, FSANZ progressed 5 Applications received before 1 October 2007:
(v) 1 was withdrawn
(vi) 0 was rejected by FSANZ
(vii) 0 was finalised and notified to the Ministerial Council
(viii) 0 were considered after a request for a review and notified to the Ministerial Council
(ix) 4 were still being progressed as at 30 June 2012.
During 2011-12, FSANZ progressed 7 Proposals prepared before 1 October 2007:
(v) 0 were abandoned by FSANZ
(vi) 1 was finalised and notified to the Ministerial Council
(vii) 0 was considered after a request for a review and notified to the Ministerial Council
(viii) 6 were still being progressed as at 30 June 2012.
(e) Any occasion during 2011-12 that FSANZ, after preparing a draft standard or a
draft variation of a standard, failed to make a decision under section 18 of the
FSANZ Act (as was in force before 1 July 2007) within the period required under
section 35 (as was in force before 1 July 2007) and a statement of the reasons
for that failure:
Nil.
(f) Extensions of time FSANZ granted under subsection 35(2) of the FSANZ Act
during 2011-12 and the reasons for those extensions:
Nil
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(g) The number of applications made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal during
2011-12 for a review of a decision made by FSANZ:
Nil
(h) The results of the applications made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal that
were determined during 2011-12:
Nil
(i) The number of standards made under the FSANZ Act during 2011 -12:
1 (this includes both standards and variations to standards gazetted)
(j) The number of draft standards and draft variations approved during 2011-12 under:
section 18 of the FSANZ Act
1
(k) The number of occasions during 2011-12 when requests were made under
section 21 of the FSANZ Act (as was in force before 1 July 2007) for a review of
a draft standard or draft variation:
(l ) The number of occasions during 2011-12 when requests were made under
section 22 of the FSANZ Act (as was in force before 1 July 2007) for a review of
a draft standard or draft variation:
(m) The number of occasions during 2011-12 when a draft standard or draft variation
was rejected under section 23 of the FSANZ Act (as was in force before 1 July 2007):
(n) The number of occasions during 2011-12 when requests were made under
section 28A of the FSANZ Act (as was in force before 1 July 2007) for a review of
a standard or variation:
(p) The number of occasions during 2011-12 when a standard or variation was
revoked or amended under section 28C of the FSANZ Act (as was in force before
1 July 2007):
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Applications received and proposals prepared from 1 October 2007 onwards
Section 152 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 requires FSANZ to report
on its processing of applications and proposals in the following manner:
(aa) The number of applications that were made under section 22 during 2011-12:
14
(ab) The number of applications accepted under subsection 26(1) during 2011-12:
11
(ac) The number of applications rejected under subsection 26(1) during 2011-12
and the reasons for the rejections:
1
PA1067 - on the basis that it did not meet the mandatory information requirements
under subsection 22(2) of the FSANZ Act which are set out in Part 3 of the FSANZ
Application Handbook. The Administrative Assessment does not consider the merits
of the Application.
(ad) The number of applications withdrawn in 2011-12 under subsection 24(1)
during the current year:
1
(ae) The number of applications accepted under subsection 26(1) during 2011-12
that FSANZ had not begun to assess under section 29 during 2011-12:
2
(af) The number of applications accepted under subsection 26(1) during a previous
financial year that FSANZ had not begun to assess under section 29 before the
end of 2011-12:
(a) the number of applications that were considered under Subdivision D of Division 1
of Part 3 during 2011 -12:
20
(b) the number of applications that were considered under Subdivision E of Division 1
of Part 3 during 2011-12:
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(c) the number of applications that were considered under Subdivision F of Division 1
of Part 3 during 2011-12:
5
(d) Health claims
N/A
(e) for each of those Subdivisions, the number of applications considered under
that Subdivision that were disposed of during 2011-12 and the manner of their
disposal:
Subdivision D: Subdivision E: Subdivision F:
12 Approved 0 3 Approved
0 Withdrawn 0 Withdrawn
0 Rejected
for each of those Subdivisions, the average time taken to dispose of applications
during 2011-12 (for Approval only):
Subdivision D: Subdivision E: Subdivision F:
8.2 months N/A13.3 months
(fa) The number of applications accepted under subsection 26(1) during a previous
financial year that FSANZ had begun to assess under section 29 before the end
of the current year, but that FSANZ had not disposed of before the end 2011-12:
5
(fb) For an application covered by paragraph (fa), the period that has elapsed since
the application was accepted under subsection 26(1):
A1039 30.5 months
A1045 27.5 months
A1055 20.5 months
A1059 14 months
(g) the number of applications made during 2011-12 in relation to which a charge
fixed under section 146 was payable:
7
110 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
´
(h) the number of applications made during 2011-12 in relation to which no charge
fixed under section 146 was payable:
2
(i) the average number of days that elapsed between the acceptance or rejection
under section 26 of an application made during 2011-12 in relation to which no
charge fixed under section 146 was payable, and the commencement of the
assessment of the application under section 29:
4.7 months
(j) each occasion during 2011-12 on which the consideration period under
section 109 elapsed without FSANZ completing the procedure that FSANZ must,
under Subdivision C of Division 1, adopt in considering the application:
A1026 Approval due: 4 July 2011. Approved 4 August 2011
A1051 Approval due: 28 November 2011. Approved 8 December 2011
(k) each occasion during 2011-12 on which FSANZ extended the consideration
period under subsection 109(4), and the reasons for that extension:
A1045 (3 months) This was the first time FSANZ has considered the use of a
bacteriophage. The nature of the bacteriophage, its newness and technical complexity
meant a number of new issues had to be taken into account during the assessment.
The potential for loss of efficacy due to resistance development by the bacteria,
the possibility of extended activity of the bacteriophage in various food matrices raising
queries on the true nature of its technological function, were among issues requiring
additional consideration. This led to extensive consultation, communication and risk
management strategies, including several discussions with the Applicant, a special
consultation with the jurisdictions and extensive scrutiny during clearance.
(ka) The number of applications declared under section 95 to be urgent applications
during 2011-12:
(l ) the number of proposals prepared by FSANZ under section 55 during 2011-12:
9
(la) The number of proposals prepared under section 55 during 2011-12 that FSANZ
had not begun to assess under section 59 during that year:
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(lb) The number of proposals prepared under section 55 during a previous financial
year that FSANZ had not begun to assess under section 59 before the end
of 2011-12:
(n) the number of proposals that were disposed of during 2011-12 and the manner
of their disposal:
3 Approved
(o) the average time taken to dispose of proposals under each of Subdivisions D, E,
F and H of Division 2 of Part 3 during 2011 -12:
General Major
12.8 Months 33.25 months
(p) the average number of days that elapsed between the preparation of a proposal
during 2011-12 under each of sections 55 and 81 and the commencement of the
assessment of the proposal under section 59:
31 days
(pa) The number of proposals prepared under section 55 during a previous financial
year that FSANZ had begun to assess under section 59 before the end of
2011 -12, but that the FSANZ had not disposed of before the end of 2010-2011:
1
(pb) For a proposal covered by paragraph (pa), the period that has elapsed since the
proposal was prepared under section 55:
P1005 39.5 months
(pc) The number of proposals declared under section 95 to be urgent proposals
during 2011-12:
(pd) The number of occasions during the current year when the 12 month period
referred to in subsection 101(1) ended with no decision having been made under
that subsection and the reasons for no decision having been made:
N/A
112 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 201 1-2012
(q) the number of applications made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal during
2011-12 for review of decisions of FSANZ:
2
An application was lodged in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on 6 June 2011 by
Axiome Pty Ltd seeking review of the decision to refuse approval for Tonalinà as a novel
food (Application A1005).
An application was lodged in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal by GE Free New Zealand
in Food and Environment on 16 January 2012 for review of two decisions made
by FSANZ to approve two genetically modified commodities * soybean and corn.
(Applications A1042 and A1046).
(r) the results of the applications made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal that
were determined during 2011-12:
The application for review by GE Free New Zealand was dismissed for want of jurisdiction.
(s) the number of standards made during 2011 -12:
21
(t) the number of draft standards and draft variations approved during 2011-12
under each of the following:
(i) section 33:
20
(ii) section 41:
(u) the number of occasions during 2011-12 when requests were made by the
Ministerial Council under Division 3 of Part 3 for a review of a draft standard or
draft variation:
1
(v) the number of occasions during 2011-12 when a draft standard or draft variation
was rejected by the Ministerial Council under Division 3 of Part 3:
(w) the number of occasions during 2011-12 when requests were made by the
Council under Division 3 of Part 3 for a review of a standard or variation:
N/A
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(x) the number of occasions during 2011-12 when a standard or variation was
revoked or amended by the Ministerial Council under Division 3 of Part 3:
In relation to applications or proposals declared to be urgent under section 95,
either in 2011-12 or in previous financial years, the number which were disposed
of under section 101 and the manner of their completion:
N/A
In relation to applications or proposals declared to be urgent under section 95,
either in 2011-12 or in previous financial years, the number of occasions where
disposal did not occur within 12 months of the date of effect of the publication
of a standard under section 97:
N/A
(y) a summary of policy guidelines notified to FSANZ during 2011-12:
Updated Policy Guideline on Food Safety Management for General Food Service and
Closely Related Retail Sectors (notified to FSANZ on 13 February 2012). This Policy
Guideline provides a framework for food safety management in Australia in retail/food
service. Businesses subject to Standard 3.3.1 - Food Safety Programs for Food Service
to Vulnerable Persons are specifically excluded.
(z) such other matters (if any) as are specified in the Regulations:
Nil
114 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 201 1-2012
Appendix 3 - FSANZ processes for assessing Applications
Information on these processes can be found on the FSANZ website at
www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodstandards/changingthecode/.
FSANZ *s process for assessing applications
FSANZ *s primary role is developing or amending food standards to ensure the safety of
food sold in Australia and New Zealand, to ensure the provision of adequate information
to consumers and to prevent misleading or deceptive conduct.
FSANZ *s work is open for public scrutiny. When developing or changing a food standard,
there is generally at least one round of public consultation.
Anyone can make an application to change a current standard or develop a new food
standard or code of practice. FSANZ can also initiate the development or review of a standard
by preparing a proposal. Both follow the same steps (as set out below). Guidelines on how
to make an application are available from our Standards Management Officer or from the
FSANZ website.
FSANZ maintains an Application Handbook which includes information to assist potential
applicants. FSANZ is able to reject an application on the basis that it has not met the
mandatory information requirements set out in Part 3 of the Application Handbook.
This ensures that applications contain sufficient information to enable them to be properly
assessed, thus minimising delays in the completion of assessments where further information
from an applicant is required to enable an assessment to proceed.
The Application Handbook also includes information covering cost-recovery, confidentiality
application templates and minimum data requirements to complete an assessment.
Th e Application Handbook is updated as required to ensure currency of FSANZ *s information
needs.
FSANZ continually looks at ways to improve its assessment processes. In recent years,
a number of changes have been adopted to improve the format of reports and to place
greater emphasis on impact or cost-benefit assessment of regulatory options.
APPENDIXES 115
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Many documents such as applications and submissions are being progressively made
available on our website, All accepted applications and submissions are uploaded as
soon as possible after acceptance or processing. All active applications accepted before
1 May 2011 have also been uploaded. Submissions relating to active applications received
or proposals prepared prior to 1 May 2011 were progressively uploaded throughout the year.
For access to applications and submissions which were received prior to 1 May 2011 and
which are not on the website or for more information about the detailed matters to do with
food standards development, contact FSANZ's Standards Management Officer in Canberra
on (02) 6271 2280 or email standards.management@ foodstandards.gov.au.
The steps are:
Administrative Assessment
The purpose of this assessment is to determine whether an application includes certain
minimum mandatory requirements (as outlined in the Application Handbook) and the Procedure
by which it should be assessed. Fees are payable after FSANZ has determined whether or
not to accept the application and the assessment Procedure. FSANZ has 15 working days
to complete this process. A report is prepared which is available to the public. An *early bird'
public notification is subsequently made by FSANZ, advising of the acceptance of the
application and its placement on the Work Plan. Proposals are treated in a similar fashion.
Procedures for the assessment of applications and proposals
General Procedure (Default) (9 months to complete assessment) - This Procedure is the
default process for variations to a food regulatory measure and generally involves one round
of public consultation only. Most applications and proposals will be assessed under this
Procedure, although more can be held as required.
Minor Procedure (3 months to complete assessment) - This Procedure applies to minor
variations to food regulatory measures including, but not limited to, correction of a
typographical error or minor editorial changes. It involves one round of limited consultation
with government agencies only, and if relevant, affected parties.
Major Procedure (12 months to complete assessment) - This Procedure applies to the
development of a new standard or a major variation to a food regulatory measure involving
such scientific or technical complexity that it is necessary to adopt this procedure in
considering it or such a significant change to the scope of the food regulatory measure that
it is necessary to adopt this procedure to consider the application. This Procedure generally
involves two rounds of public consultation, although more can be held as required.
116 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 201 1-2012
Assessment
The purpose of this assessment is to determine whether to proceed to develop a food
regulatory measure. FSANZ will then either prepare a draft food regulatory measure
or variation or reject (in whole or part) the application, or abandon the proposal. In this
assessment, FSANZ must have regard to the matters listed under section 29 of the FSANZ
Act. Paragraph 29(d) also includes the section 18 objectives of the FSANZ Act (see below).
A summary of the assessment and reasons for FSANZ's decision are prepared and publicly
released for consultation. Calls for public comment are made via the Food Standards
Notification Circular, email alerts to interested stakeholders, media releases and published
on our website.
If an application or proposal is being considered under the Major Procedure, the Assessment
is carried out in two parts (1st and 2nd call for submissions) with an additional round of
consultation between. The 2nd call for submissions includes draft variations to the Code.
Section 29 matters
In assessing the application, the Authority must have regard to the following matters:
(a) whether costs that would arise from a food regulatory measure developed or
varied as a result of the application outweigh the direct and indirect benefits to
the community, Government or industry that would arise from the development
or variation of the food regulatory measure;
(b) whether other measures (available to the Authority or not) would be more
costeffective than a food regulatory measure developed or varied as a result
of the application;
(c) any relevant New Zealand standards;
(d) any other relevant matters.
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Section 18 objectives
In descending order of priority:
(a) The protection of public health and safety; and
(b) the provision of adequate information relating to food to enable consumers
to make informed choices and
(c) the prevention of misleading or deceptive conduct.
In developing or reviewing food standards, the Authority is also required to have
regard to the following.
(a) The need for standards to be based on risk analysis using the best scientific
evidence.
(b) The promotion of consistency between domestic and international food
standards.
(c) The desirability of an efficient and internationally competitive food industry.
(d) The promotion of fair trading in food.
(e) Any written policy guidelines formulated by the Ministerial Council and notified
to FSANZ.
Approval
After the submission period, FSANZ must either approve, approve subject to amendment,
or reject the draft standard or variation. FSANZ must have regard to all submissions made
during the submission period/s. A report is prepared containing the decision, reasons,
summary of issues raised in submissions and how these have been addressed, Regulation
Impact Statement (if prepared) and if approved, the food regulatory measure or variation.
The report is publicly released following the notification of the decision to Ministers.
Advice on approvals is made via the Food Standards Notification Circular, email alerts to
interested stakeholders and on our website, as well as in the newspapers. The newspaper
notices appear nationally in The Australian and in New Zealand, The New Zealand Herald.
118 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Ministers consider approved food standards
Decisions on food standards, once approved by the FSANZ Board, are notified to the COAG
Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation (the Forum) (formerly known as
the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council). Within 60 days of this
notification, a majority of jurisdictions on the Forum may ask FSANZ to conduct a review
of its decision.
Alternatively, the Forum may inform FSANZ that it does not intend to request a review.
In the latter case, the standards are gazetted in Australia and New Zealand and registered
as legislative instruments and become law at the date specified.
If the Forum requests a review, FSANZ must conduct the review within three months
(or a longer period if allowed by the Forum) and either re-affirm the decision, with or without
amendments to the standard, or withdraw its approval of the standard,
That decision is then notified to the Forum. The Forum, by a majority decision, may then,
within 60 days, approve, amend or reject the draft variation.
If the Forum amends or does not amend the draft variation, the amendment is gazetted in
Australia and New Zealand and registered as a legislative instrument and becomes law at
the date specified.
Advice on gazettals is made via the Food Standards Notification Circular, email alerts to
interested stakeholders and on our website, as well as in the newspapers. The newspaper
notices appear nationally in The Australian and in New Zealand, The New Zealand Herald.
Once the amendment becomes law, it is the responsibility of state and territory governments
and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries to enforce the standard. DAFF Biosecurity
is responsible for enforcing standards relating to imported food.
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Appendix 4 - External FSANZ committee members
Mr Michael Apollonov New South Wales Food Authority
Mr Gary Bielby Queensland Health
Ms Janine Curll New South Wales Food Authority
Ms Ursula Egan Ministry for Primary Industries, NZ
Mr David Larkings Queensland Health
Ms Enita Ostojic Department of Health, WA
Mr John van den Beuken Ministry for Primary Industries, NZ
Mr John Ward Department of Health, Vic
Mr Tony Beaver Food and Beverage Importers Association
Mr Mark Bell Progressive Enterprises Ltd
Ms Marisa Bidois Restaurant Association of New Zealand
Ms Heather Carnegie Restaurant Brands
Mr Des Crowe Australian Hotels Association
Mr David Cusack Implementation Sub-Committee
Ms Fiona Fleming Australian Food and Grocery Council - Allergen Forum
Ms Kirsten Grinter Allergen Bureau
Ms Carole Inkster New Zealand Food and Grocery Council
Ms Penny Jorgensen Allergy New Zealand
Ms Samara Kitchener New South Wales Food Authority
Mr Kim Leighton Australian Food and Grocery Council
Mr Neil McSkimming Coles Supermarkets
Mr Steven Meads Foodstuffs New Zealand
Mr Glen Neal Ministry for Primary Industries NZ
1 20 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Mr Steven Newton Metcash Limited
Ms Angela O *Shea Aldi Australia
Mr George Passas Metcash Limited
Mr Justin Pleass Restaurant and Catering Australia
Mr Bruce Robertson Hospitality Association of New Zealand
Mr Nick Robertson TPF Group NZ
Ms Maria Said Anaphylaxis Australia
Ms Toni Spicer â‘ Australian Food and Grocery Council - Quick Service Restaurant Forum
Ms Penny Tregear Ministry for Primary Industries, NZ
Ms Kathy Chapman Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance
Ms Sue Chetwin Consumer NZ
Ms Nicola Chilcott Agencies for Nutrition Action (NZ)
Ms Christine Cook Dietitians NZ
Dr Danielle Gallegos Dietitians Association of Australia
Assoc Prof Mark Lawrence Deakin University
Ms Angela McDougall CHOICE
Assoc Prof Cliona Ni Mhurchu University of Auckland
Dr Rosemary Stanton Public Health Association of Australia
Assoc Prof Heather Yeatman University of Wollongong
APPENDIXES 121
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FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Ms Veronica Balassa Private individual
Ms Kerry Beake Private individual
Ms Eileen Clark Private individual
Ms Linda Kaye Private individual
Ms Libby Manley Consumer NZ
Mr David Oakenfull CHOICE
Ms Michele Oakley Private individual
Mr Hayden Potaka Te Puni Kokiri (Ministry of Maori Development)
Mr Mark Robinson Private individual
Mr George Seymour Private individual
Ms Rachel Toonen Private individual
Ms Nicole Turner Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service
Dr Pam Williams National Council of Women Australia
Assoc Prof Katrina Allen Royal Children *s Hospital, Melbourne
Dr Vincent Crump Auckland Allergy Clinic
Dr Robert Loblay Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney
Dr Raymond Mullins John James Medical Centre, Canberra
Professor Robyn O *Hehir Alfred Hospital, Melbourne
Dr Jane Peake Royal Children *s Hospital, Brisbane
Dr Jan Sinclair Starship Children *s Hospital, Auckland
Ms Sofia Sipsas Consultant - Lupin Research and Development
Dr William Smith Royal Adelaide Hospital
Dr Martin Stuckey Alfred Hospital, Melbourne
122 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Mrs Trade Brady Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Cwth
Mr Cameron Bright Queensland Health
Mr Garry Clarke Department of Health, SA
Mr Mike Clear Ministry for Primary Industries, NZ
Dr Paul Dansted Ministry for Primary Industries, NZ
Ms Yvette Dethridge DAFF Biosecurity
Ms Tracey Duffy Department of Health and Ageing, Cwth
Mr Gerard Fitzsimmons Department of Health and Ageing, Cwth
Ms Tenille FortQueensland Health
Mr Paul Goldsmith Department of Health, Vic
Mr Stan Goodchld Department of Health, WA
Mr Edward Jansson New South Wales Food Authority
Mr Radomir Krsteski ACT Health
Ms Robyn Leader Department of Health and Ageing, Cwth
Mr Glen Martin Department of Health, SA
Ms Olivia McQuestin Department of Health and Human Services, Tas
Ms Jane Oliver Ministry for Primary Industries, NZ
Mr John Reeve Ministry for Primary Industries, NZ
Ms Jenny Reid Ministry for Primary Industries, NZ
Mr Ian Reichstein Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Cwth
Ms Themy Saputra New South Wales Food Authority
Mr Russell Schultz Safe Food Queensland
Dr Rob Solomon Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Cwth
Ms Kim Unwin Department of Health, WA
Mr John van den Beuken Ministry for Primary Industries, NZ
Mr John Ward Department of Health, Vic
Ms Tracy Ward Department of Health and Community Services, NT
APPENDIXES 123
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Mr Adrian Benetti Cyrovac Australia Pty Ltd
Mr Roger Cripps Mars Petcare Australia
Mr Paul Haberland Nestle Australia Ltd
Mr Chris Hartwell Fonterra Co-Operative Group Ltd
Mr Mark Kerr Lion
Mr Kim Leighton Australian Food and Grocery Council
Mr Kevin McBrien Woolworths Ltd
Mr Martin Neilson Visy Pty Ltd
Mr Chris Peloso Amcor
Mr Stuart Shepherd NCI Packaging (NZ) Ltd
Mr Richard Smith Amcor
Mr Gavin Williams The Packaging Council of Australia
Ms Elena Anear Department of Health, SA
Mrs Trade Brady Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Cwth
Ms Nola Caff in Gueensland Health
Ms Joanne Cammans Department of Health, SA
Ms Clare Chandler Ministry for Primary Industries, NZ
Dr Kerry Chant New South Wales Health
Ms Candy D *Menzie-Bunshaw Department of Health, Vic
Ms Yvette Dethridge DAFF Biosecurity
Ms Tenille Fort Gueensland Health
Mr Paul Goldsmith Department of Health, Vic
Mr Stuart Heggie Department of Health and Human Services, Tas
Mr Edward Jansson New South Wales Food Authority
Dr Fay Jenkins Department of Health, SA
Ms Nicole King Department of Health and Ageing, Cwth
124 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Mr David Larkings Queensland Health
Ms Narelle Marro Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Cwth
Mr Dean McCullum Department of Health, SA
Ms Julie-Ann Price Department of Health and Ageing, Cwth
Ms Jenny Reid Ministry for Primary Industries, NZ
Mr Craig Sahlin New South Wales Food Authority
Ms Jennifer Savenake Department of Health and Human Services, Tas
Ms Judy Seal Department of Health and Human Services, Tas
Dr Rob Solomon Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Cwth
Mr Vojkan Stefanovic ACT Health Protection Service
Dr Roscoe Taylor Department of Health and Human Services, Tas
Ms Samantha Torres New South Wales Food Authority
Mr John Van Den Beuken Ministry for Primary Industries, NZ
Mr John Ward Department of Health, Vic
Ms Tracy Ward Department of Health and Community Services, NT
Ms Emily White Department of Health, SA
Ms Sophe Williamson Department of Health, WA
Mr Mason Ngawhika Te Hiringa Ltd
Mr Hayden Potaka Te Puni Kokiri (Ministry of Maori Development)
Ms Ann Thompson Public Health South
Dr Geoffrey Annison Australian Food and Grocery Council
Mr Tony Beaver Food and Beverage Importers Association
Dr Roger Bektash Mars Food Australia
Ms Katie Birch Department of Health and Ageing, Cwth
APPENDIXES 125
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Mrs Trade Brady Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Cwth
Ms Suzanne Davies Australian Food and Grocery Council
Mrs Yvette Dethridge DAFF Biosecurity
Ms Kirsten Grinter Nestle Health Care Nutrition Australia
Ms Jackie Healing Coles Supermarkets
Mr Barry Hellberg New Zealand Retailers Association
Mr Ken Henrick National Association of Retail Grocers of Australia
Ms Melissa Hodd Foodstuffs (NZ) Ltd
Ms Carole Inkster New Zealand Food and Grocery Council
Ms Nicole King Department of Health and Ageing, Cwth
Mr Ed Klim Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Cwth
Mr Kim Leighton Australian Food and Grocery Council
Ms Janet Macdonald Goodman Fielder Ltd
Ms Julie Newlands Unilever Australasia
Mr Steven Newton Metcash Trading Ltd
Ms Angela O'Shea Aldi Stores
Mr Geoff Parker Australian Beverages Council Ltd
Mr George Passas Metcash Ltd
Ms Stephanie Rajczyk Nestle Australia Ltd
Ms Linda Ralph Mars Food Australia
Ms Katherine Rich New Zealand Food and Grocery Council
Ms Nadine Smith Woolworths Supermarkets
Dr Rob Solomon Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Cwth
Ms Kim Stapaes Australian Beverages Council Ltd
Ms Jennifer Thompson The Australian Industry Group, Confectionery Sector
Ms Kerry Tyack New Zealand Juice & Beverage Association
Mr Benjamin Ward Aldi Stores
126 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Prof John Cary Victoria University, NZ
Prof John Coveney Flinders University, SA
Prof Janet Hoek University of Otago, NZ
Dr Phil Mohr CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences
Assoc Prof Cliona Ni Mhurchu University of Auckland, NZ
Prof Ken Reed Australian Consortium for Social and Political Research Inc
Emeritus Prof Richard Shepherd University of Surrey, UK
Prof Carlene Wilson Flinders University, Cancer Council of South Australia
Ms Carol Bate Fonterra Australia Pty Ltd
Mr Tony Beaver Food and Beverage Importers Association
Mr Bill Calder Department of Health, WA
Mr Tony Coope Parmalat Australia Limited
Ms Helen Dornom Dairy Australia
Mr Doug Eddy Dairy Food Safety Victoria
Ms Kira Goodall Dairy Australia
Ms Corrie Goodwin Dairy Food Safety Victoria
Mr Ross Greenaway Murray Goulburn Co-op Ltd
Dr Catherine Holly well Dairy Food Safety Victoria
Mr Wes Judd Queensland Dairy Farmers
Mr John O *Regan Murray Goulburn Co-op Ltd
Mr Phil Pond Safe Food Production Qld
Ms Jane Raupach Department of Health, SA
Mr Steve Rice Dairy Authority of South Australia
Mrs Denise Riches Goat Industry Council of Australia
Dr Steve Roberts DAFF Biosecurity
Dr Jenny Robertson Consultant
APPENDIXES 127
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Ms Shona ScottMinistry for Primary Industries, NZ
Dr Rob Solomon Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Cwth
Mr Peter Sutherland New South Wales Food Authority
Mrs Heather Wieland Country Women *s Association of Australia
Mr Neil Willman Private Consultant
Ms Slava Zeman DAFF Biosecurity
Ms Judy Barker Ministry for Primary Industries, NZ
Mr Bob Barwell Cattle Council of Australia
Mr David Basham Australian Dairy Farmers Limited
Mr Brian Casey PrimeSafe, Vic
Mr Ron Cullen Sheepmeat Council of Australia
Mr Peter Day New South Wales Food Authority
Ms Helen Dornom Dairy Australia
Mr Stan Goodchild Department of Health, WA
Mr Dougal Gordon Australian Lot Feeders Association
Ms Michelle Gorman Meat and Livestock Australia
Mr David Inall Cattle Council of Australia
Mr Brian Jones Department of Health and Community Care, ACT
Ms Kate Joseph Sheepmeat Council of Australia
Mr Wesley Judd Australian Dairy Farmers Limited
Mr Tim Juzefowicz Australian Renderers * Association Inc
Mr John Kelly Australian Game Meat Producers Association
Mr Ed Klim Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Cwth
(also representing SAFEMEAT)
Mr John Langbridge Australian Meat Industry Council
Mr Chris Lyall Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Tas
128 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Mr Peter Merrell DAFF Biosecurity
Dr David Miles New South Wales Food Authority
Dr Patricia Mitchell Australian Pork Ltd
Mr Jason Ollington DAFF Biosecurity
Mr Robert Parkes Stockfeed Manufacturers' Council of Australia
Mr Phil Pond Safe Food Production Old
Mr Geoff Raven Department of Primary Industries and Resources, SA
Mr Glenn Telford Goat Industry Council of Australia
Dr Rob Solomon Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Cwth
Ms Heather Wieland Country Women *s Association of Australia
Dr Barbara Wilson SafeFood Production Old
APPENDIXES 129
CHAPTER 5
Appendix 5 - Financial Statements
in cc LU I *
CL <
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR *S REPORT
To the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing
I have audited the accompanying financial statements of Food Standards Australia New Zealand for the year ended 30 June 2012, which comprise: a Statement by the Directors, Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer, the Statement of Comprehensive Income; Balance Sheet; Statement of Changes in Equity; Cash Flow Statement; Schedule of Commitments; Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements, including a
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.
Directors * Responsibility for the Financial Statements
The directors of Food Standards Australia New Zealand are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements that give a true and fair view in accordance with the Finance Minister *s Orders made under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997, including the Australian Accounting Standards, and for such internal control as is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial statements that give a true and feu- view and are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditor's Responsibility
My responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on my audit. I have conducted my audit in accordance with the Australian National Audit Office Auditing Standards, which incorporate the Australian Auditing Standards. These auditing standards require that I comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor *s judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of tire financial statements, whether due to fraud or en-or. In making those risk assessments, the auditor
considers internal control relevant to Food Standards Australia New Zealand *s preparation of the financial statements that give a true and fair view in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of Food Standards Australia New Zealand *s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of the accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the directors, as well as
evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion.
GPO Box 707 CANBERRA ACT 2601 19 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 Phone (02) 6203 7300 Fax (02) 6203 7777
APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 131
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CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Independence
In conducting my audit, I have followed the independence requirements of the Australian National Audit Office, which incotporate the requirements of the Australian accounting profession.
Opinion
in my opinion, the financial statements of Food Standards Australia New Zealand:
(a) have been prepared in accordance with the Finance Minister *s Orders made under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997, including the Australian Accounting Standards; and
(b) give a true and fair view of the matters required by the Finance Minister *s Orders including Food Standards Australia New Zealand *s financial position as at 30 June 2012 and of its financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended.
Australian National Audit Office
Puspa Dash Executive Director
Delegate of the Auditor-General
Canberra
20 September 2012
132 APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT 201 1-2012
pnnnSTANDARDS x *J I * ' Australia New ZealandTe M ans Ko u n g a Kai - Ah ite re lria me Ao te a ro a 55 Blackall St., Barton
ACT 2600 Australia PO Box 7186 Canberra BC ACT 2610 Australia Tel +61 2 6271 2222
Fax +61 2 6271 2278 www.foodstandards.gov.au
STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTORS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER
In our opinion, the attached financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2012 are based on properly maintained financial records and give a true and fair view of the matters required by the Finance Minister *s Orders made under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997, as amended.
In our opinion, at the date of this statement, there are reasonable grounds to believe that Food Standards Australia New Zealand will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.
Tliis Statement is made in accordance with a resolution of the directors.
Ms Philippa Smith AM Dr. Michele Allan Chairperson Director "^JoSeptember 2012 =30 September 2012
Mr. Steve McCutcheon Ms Audrey Gormley Chief Executive Officer Chief Finance Officer *⤠-O September 2012 2.o September 2012
APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 133
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C H A
P T E
R 5
F OOD STAN D AR D S AU S TR ALI A N E W ZE AL AN D
STATEM EN T OF COM PREH EN SIVE IN COM E
for the period ended 30th June 2012
2012 2011
Notes $ $
EXPENSES Employee benefits 3A 16,393,379 15,672,637
Supplier 3B 5,784,576 5,972,335
Depreciation and amortisation 3C 821,752 725,293
Finance costs 3D 19,324 14,120
Write-down and impairment of assets 3E 857 -
Foreign exchange losses 3F 6,395 17,649
Losses from asset sales 3G 596 -
Total Expenses 23,026,879 22,402,034
LESS:
OWN-SOU RCE IN COM E Own-source revenue
Sale of goods and rendering of services 4A 3,177,484 2,616,869
Interest 4B 574,940 515,171
Other revenue 4C 25,620 23,384
Total own-source revenue 3,778,044 3,155,424
Gains
Sale of assets 4D - 892
Total gains - 892
Total own-source income 3,778,044 3,156,316
Net cost of (contribution by) services 19,248,835 19,245,718
Revenue from Government4E 18,760,186 19,296,000
(Deficit) Surplus (488,649) 50,282
(Deficit) Surplus attributable to the Australian Government (488,649) 50,282
OTH ER COMPREH EN SIVE IN COM E Changes in asset revaluation surplus 970,493 33,422
Total other comprehensive income 481,844 83,704
Total comprehensive income attributable to the Australian Government 481,844 83,704
The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
1 3 4 AP P E N DI X 5 FI N AN CI AL STATE M E N TS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
BALANCE SHEET
as at 30th June 2012
2012 2011
Notes $ $
ASSETS
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents 5A 10,707,283 9,587,097
Trade and other receivables 5B 655,759 484,800
Total financial assets 11,363,042 10,071,897
Non-Financial Assets
Land and buildings 6A,C 1,393,186 503,297
Property, plant and equipment 6B,C 599,471 692,170
Intangibles 6D,E 1,933,403 1,406,521
Other non-financial assets 6F 276,071 212,656
Total non-financial assets 4,202,131 2,814,644
Total assets 15,565,173 12,886,541
LIABILITIES
Payables
Suppliers 7A 815,536 597,593
Other payables 7B 2,914,667 1,867,626
Total payables 3,730,203 2,465,219
Provisions
Employee provisions 8A 4,962,989 4,078,445
Other provisions 8B 337,553 290,293
Total provisions 5,300,542 4,368,738
Total liabilities 9,030,745 6,833,957
Net assets 6,534,428 6,052,584
EQUITY
Contributed equity 1,823,000 1,823,000
Reserves 1,953,189 982,696
Retained surplus 2,758,239 3,246,888
Total equity 6,534,428 6,052,584
The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 135
CHAPTER 5
APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
*… 0) CHAPTER 5
Retained earnings Asset revaluation surplus Contributed equity/capital Total equity
2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011
$ *000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000 $ *000 $ *000 $'000
Opening balance
Balance carried forward from previous period 3,246,888 3,196,606 982,696 949,274 1,823,000 1,523,000 6,052,584 5,668,880
Adjusted opening balance 3,246,888 3,196,606 982,696 949,274 1,823,000 1,523,000 6,052,584 5,668,880
Comprehensive income
Other comprehensive income 970,493 33,422 970,493 33,422
(Deficit) Surplus for the period (488,649) 50,282 - - - - (488,649) 50,282
Total comprehensive income (488,649) 50,282 970,493 33,422 - - 481,844 83,704
Transactions with owners
Contributions by owners
Equity injection 300,000 300,000
Sub-total transactions with owners - - - - - 300,000 - 300,000
Closing balance as at 30 June 2,758,239 3,246,888 1,953,189 982,696 1,823,000 1,823,000 6,534,428 6,052,584
3
The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
> z D
for the period ended 30th June 2012
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
for the period ended 30th June 2012
2012 2011
Notes $ $
OPERATING ACTIVITIES Cash received
Sales of goods and rendering of services 2,535,521 1,648,600
Receipts from Government 18,760,186 19,296,000
Funding from New Zealand Government 1,621,376 1,527,875
interest 669,834 400,944
Net GST received 483,561 596,483
Other 25,620 -
Total cash received 24,096,098 23,469,902
Cash used
Employees (15,514,512) (15,191,731)
Suppliers (6,306,157) (7,193,760)
Total cash used (21,820,669) (22,385,491)
Net cash from operating activities 9 2,275,429 1,084,411
INVESTING ACTIVITIES Cash received
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment 4,240 1,496
Total cash received 4,240 1,496
Cash used
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (1,153,088) (1,759,266)
Total cash used (1,153,088) (1,759,266)
Net cash used by investing activities (1,148,848) (1,757,770)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES Cash received
Contributed equity - 300,000
Total cash received - 300,000
Net cash from financing activities - 300,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash held 1,126,581 (373,359)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period 9,587,097 9,978,105
Effect of exchange rate movements on cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period (6,395) (17,649)
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 5A 10,707,283 9,587,097
The above statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 137
CHARTER 5
CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
SCHEDULE OF COMMITMENTS
as at 30th June 2012
BY TYPE Commitments receivable
Sublease rental income1
Contracts receivable2
Net GST recoverable on commitments Total commitments receivable
Commitments payable
Operating leases3
Other commitments'1
Total commitments payable
Net commitments by type
BY MATURITY
Commitments receivable
One year or less
From one to five years
Over five years
Total commitments receivable
Commitments payable
Operating lease commitments
One year or less
From one to five years
Over five years
Total operating lease commitments
Other Commitments
One year or less
From one to five years
Total other commitments
Total commitments payable
Net commitments by maturity
2012 2011
$ $
655,723 623,838
4,167,375 4,610,053
1,206,095 1,090,577
6,029,193 6,324,468
(14,070,913) (10,347,795)
(1,124,910) (1,644,503)
(15,195,823) (11,992,298)
(9,166,630) (5,667,830)
2,668,365 2,773,976
2,406,626 3,158,802
954,202 391,690
6,029,193 6,324,468
(1,577,288) (1,679,568)
(5,463,138) (6,144,918)
(7,030,487) (2,523,309) (14,070,913) (10,347,795)
(876,510) (1,543,535)
(248,400) (100,968)
(1,124,910) (1,644,503)
(15,195,823) (11,992,298)
(9,166,630) (5,667,830)
NB: Commitments are GST inclusive where relevant.
1. Sublease rental income relates to car parking spaces sub leased to staff.
2. Contracts receivable includes future receivables from contracts and term deposit interest.
3. Operating leases are in relation to office accommodation, car leases and equipment.
4. Other commitments comprise mainly future payments to contractors and consultants under formally agreed contracts.
Operating leases included are effectively non-cancellable and comprise:
Nature of lease
Leases for office accommodation
Lease in relation to computer equipment
General Description
Australian lease payments are subject to a fixed annual increase of 3%. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has taken the option to extend the office lease in Australia for five more years. New Zealand lease payments are subject to market reviews.
The lessor provides all computer equipment and software designated as necessary in the supply contract for 3 to 5 years. FSANZ may vary its original designated requirement, subject to giving 3 months notice.
The above schedule should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
138 APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
TABLE OF CONTNETS - NOTES
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 140
Note 2: Events after the Reporting Period 145
Note 3: Expenses 146
Note 4: Income 147
Note 5: Financial Assets 148
Note 6: Non-Financial Assets 149
Note 7: Payables 152
Note 8: Provisions 153
Note 9: Cash Flow Reconciliation 154
Note 10: Contingent Assets and Liabilities 154
Note 11: Directors Remuneration 155
Note 12: Related Party Disclosures 155
Note 13: Senior Executive Remuneration 155
Note 14: Remuneration of Auditors 158
Note 15: Financial Instruments 158
Note 16: Reporting of Outcomes 160
Note 17: Compensation and Debt Relief161
APPENDIX 5 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 139
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 Objectives of Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is an Australian Government controlled entity. It is a not for profit entity. The objective of FSANZ Is to improve the health of all Australians. FSANZ is structured to meet one outcome - A safe food supply and well informed consumers in Australia and New Zealand, including through the development of food regulatory measures and the promotion of their consistent implementation, coordination of food recall activities and the monitoring of consumer and industry food practices.
FSANZ was established under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (FSANZ Act). The continued existence of FSANZ in its present form and with its present programs is dependent on Government policy and on continuing funding by Parliament for FSANZ *s administration and programs.
1.2 Basis of Preparation of the Financial Statements
The financial statements are general purpose financial statements and are required by clause 1 (b) of Schedule 1 to the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with:
" Finance Minister *s Orders (FMOs) for reporting periods ending on or after 1 July 2011; and
" Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) that apply for the reporting period.
The financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis and is in accordance with the historical cost convention, except for certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Except where stated, no allowance is made for the effect of changing prices on the results or the financial position.
The financial statements are presented in Australian dollars and values are rounded to the nearest dollar unless otherwise specified.
Unless an alternative treatment is specifically required by an accounting standard or the FMOs, assets and liabilities are recognised in the balance sheet when and only when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to FSANZ or a future sacrifice of economic benefits will be required and the amounts of the assets or liabilities can be reliably measured. However, assets and liabilities arising under executor contracts are not recognised unless required by an accounting standard. Liabilities and assets that are unrecognised are reported in the schedule of commitments or the schedule of contingencies.
Unless an alternative treatment is specifically required by an accounting standard, income and expenses are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income when and only when the flow, consumption or loss of economic benefits has occurred and can be reliably measured.
1.3 Significant Accounting Judgements and Estimates
In the process of applying the accounting policies listed in this note no accounting assumptions or estimates have been identified that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.
1.4 New Australian Accounting Standards
Adoption o f New Australian Accounting Standard Requirements
No accounting standard has been adopted earlier than the application date as stated in the standard.
Other standards, amendments to standards or interpretations that were issued prior to the sign-off date and are applicable to the current reporting period did not have a financial impact, and are not expected to have a future financial impact on FSANZ.
Future Australian Accounting Standard Requirements
Other standards, amendments to standards or interpretations that were issued prior to the sign-off date and are applicable to the future reporting period are not expected to have a future financial impact on FSANZ.
140 APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
1.5 Revenue
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when:
" the risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer;
" FSANZ retains no managerial involvement nor effective control over the goods;
" the revenue and transaction costs incurred can be reliably measured; and
" it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to FSANZ.
Revenue from rendering of sen/ices is recognised by reference to the stage of completion of contracts at the reporting date. The revenue is recognised when:
" the amount of revenue, stage of completion and transaction costs incurred can be reliably measured: and
" the probable economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to FSANZ.
The stage of completion of contracts at the reporting date is determined by reference to the proportion that costs incurred to date bear to the estimated total costs of the transaction.
Receivables for goods and services, which have 30 day terms, are recognised at the nominal amounts due less any impairment allowance. Collectability of debts is reviewed at the end of the reporting period. Allowances are made when collectability of the debt is no longer probable.
Interest revenue is recognised using the effective interest method as set out in AASB 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.
Resources Received Free of Charge
Resources received free of charge are recognised as revenue when, and only when, a fair value can be reliably determined and the services would have been purchased if they had not been donated. Use of those resources is recognised as an expense. Resources received free of charge are recorded as either revenue or gains depending on their nature.
Revenues from Government
Funding received or receivable from agencies (appropriated to the agency as a CAC Act body payment item for payment to FSANZ) is recognised as Revenue from Government unless they are in the nature of an equity injection or a loan.
Parental Leave Payments Scheme
Amounts received under the Parental Leave payments Scheme by FSANZ not yet paid to employees would be presented gross as cash and a liability (payable). The total amount received under this scheme was ($24,786) (2011 :$10,260).
1.6 Gains
Resources Received Free of Charge
Resources received free of charge are recognised as gains when, and only when, a fair value can be reliably determined and the services would have been purchased if they had not been donated. Use of those resources is recognised as an expense.
Resources received free of charge are recorded as either revenue or gains depending on their nature.
Contributions of assets at no cost of acquisition or for nominal consideration are recognised as gains at their fair value when the asset qualifies for recognition, unless received from another Government agency or authority as a consequence of a restructuring of administrative arrangements.
Sale o f Assets
Gains from disposal of assets are recognised when control of the asset has passed to the buyer.
APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 141
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CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
1.7 Transactions with the Government as Owner
Equity injections
Amounts appropriated which are designated as *equity injections * for a year (less any formal reductions) and Departmental Capital Budgets (DCB) are recognised directly in contributed equity in that year.
1.8 Employee Benefits
Liabilities for 'short-term employee benefits * (as defined in AASB 119 Employee benefits) and termination benefits due within twelve months of the end of reporting period are measured at their nominal amounts.
The nominal amount is calcuiated with regard to the rates expected to be paid on settlement of the liability.
Other long-term employee benefits are measured as net total of the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the end of the reporting period minus the fair value at the end of the reporting period of plan assets (if any) out of which the obligations are to be settled directly.
Leave
The liability for employee benefits includes provision for annual leave and long service leave. No provision has been made for sick leave as all sick leave is non-vesting and the average sick leave taken in future years by employees of FSANZ is estimated to be less than the annual entitlement for sick leave.
The leave liabilities are calculated on the basis of employees' remuneration at the estimated salary rates that will be applied at the time the leave is taken, including FSANZ *s employer superannuation contribution rates to the extent that the leave is likely to be taken during service rather than paid out on termination.
The liability for long service leave has been determined by reference to the work of an actuary. The estimate of the present value of the liability takes into account attrition rates and pay increases through promotion and inflation.
Separation and Redundancy
Provision is made for separation and redundancy benefit payments. The entity recognises a provision for termination when it has developed a detailed formal plan for the terminations and has informed those employees affected that it will carry out the terminations.
Superannuation
Staff of FSANZ are members of the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme (CSS), the Public Sector Superannuation Scheme (PSS) or the PSS accumulation plan (PSSap) or a complying fund.
The CSS and PSS are defined benefit schemes for the Australian Government. The PSSap and other complying funds are defined contribution schemes.
The liability for defined benefits is recognised in the financial statements of the Australian Government and is settled by the Australian Government in due course. This liability is reported in the Department of Finance and Deregulation *s administered schedules and notes.
FSANZ makes employer contributions to the employees' superannuation schemes at rates determined by an actuary to be sufficient to meet the current cost to the Government. FSANZ accounts for the contributions as if they were contributions to defined contribution plans.
The liability for superannuation recognised as at 30 June represents outstanding contributions for the last pay accrual of the year.
1.9 Leases
A distinction is made between finance leases and operating leases, Finance leases effectively transfer from the lessor to the lessee substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of leased assets. An operating lease is a lease that is not a finance lease. In operating leases, the lessor effectively retains substantially all such risks and benefits.
Operating lease payments are expensed on a straight line basis which is representative of the pattern of benefits derived from the leased assets. FSANZ has no finance leases.
Lease incentives
Lease incentives taking the form of *free * leasehold improvements and rent holidays are recognised as liabilities. These liabilities are reduced on a straight-line basis by allocating lease payments between rental expense and reduction of the lease incentive liability.
142 APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
1.10 Borrowing Costs
All borrowing costs are expensed as incurred.
1.11 Cash
Cash is recognised at its nominal amount. Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand and any demand deposits in bank accounts with an original maturity of 3 months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and subject to insignificant risk of changes in value.
1.12 Financial Assets
FSANZ classifies its financial assets as loans and receivables.
The classification depends on the nature and purpose of the financial assets and is determined at the time of initial recognition.
Financial assets are recognised and derecognised upon trade date,
Effective Interest Method
The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial asset and of allocating interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset, or, where appropriate, a shorter period.
Income is recognised on an effective interest rate basis except for financial assets that are recognised at fair value through profit or loss.
Loans and Receivables
Trade receivables, loans and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market are classified as *loans and receivables'. Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method less impairment. Interest is recognised by applying the effective interest rate.
Impairment o f Financial Assets
Financial assets are assessed for impairment at end of each reporting period.
Financial assets carried at amortised cost - if there is objective evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred for loans and receivables, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset *s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the asset *s original effective interest rate. The carrying amount is reduced by way of an allowance account. The loss is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.
1.13 Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities are classified as other financial liabilities.
Financial liabilities are recognised and derecognised upon *trade date *.
Other Financial Liabilities
Other financial liabilities, including borrowings, are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs.
These liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, with interest expense recognised on an effective yield basis.
The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost ot a financial liability and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments through the expected life of the financial liability, or, where appropriate, a shorter period.
Supplier and other payables are recognised at amortised cost. Liabilities are recognised to the extent that the goods or services have been received (and irrespective of having been Invoiced).
1.14 Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets
Contingent liabilities and contingent assets are not recognised in the balance sheet but are reported in the relevant schedules and notes. They may arise from uncertainty as to the existence of a liability or asset, or represent a liability or asset in respect of which the amount cannot be reliably measured. Contingent assets are disclosed when settlement is probable but not virtually certain, and contingent liabilities are disclosed when settlement is greater than remote. No schedule of contingencies was prepared as FSANZ did not have any quantifiable contingent assets or liabilities as at 30 June 2012. (2011:Nil)
APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 143
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CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
1.15 Acquisition of Assets
Assets are recorded at cost on acquisition except as stated below. The cost of acquisition includes the fair value of assets transferred in exchange and liabilities undertaken. Financial assets are initially measured at their fair value plus transaction costs where appropriate.
Assets acquired at no cost, or for nominal consideration, are initially recognised as assets and income at their fair value at the date of acquisition, unless acquired as a consequence of restructuring of administrative arrangements. In the latter case, assets are initially recognised as contributions by owners at the amounts at which they were recognised in the transferor authority's accounts immediately prior to the restructuring.
1.16 Property, Plant and Equipment
Asset Recognition Threshold
Purchases of property, plant and equipment are recognised initially at cost in the balance sheet, except for purchases costing less than $5,000, which are expensed in the year of acquisition (other than where they form part of a group of similar items which are significant in total).
The initial cost of an asset includes an estimate of the cost of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located. This is particularly relevant to *make good * provisions in property leases taken up by FSANZ where there exists an obligation to restore the property to prescribed conditions. These costs are included in the value of FSANZ *s leasehold improvements with a corresponding provision for the *make good * recognised.
Revaluations
Fair values for each class of asset are determined as shown below:
Asset class Fair value measurement
Leasehold improvements Depreciated replacement cost
Infrastructure, plant & equipment Market selling price
Following initial recognition at cost, property, plant and equipment are carried at fair value less subsequent accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Valuations are conducted with sufficient frequency to ensure that the carrying amounts of assets do not differ materially from the assets * fair values as at the reporting date. The regularity of independent valuations depends upon the volatility of movements in market values for the relevant assets.
Revaluation adjustments are made on a class basis. Any revaluation increment is credited to equity under the heading of asset revaluation reserve except to the extent that it reverses a previous revaluation decrement of the same asset class that was previously recognised through surplus/deficit. Revaluation decrements for a class of assets are recognised
directly in surplus/deficit except to the extent that they reverse a previous revaluation increment for that class.
Any accumulated depreciation as at the revaluation date is eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the asset and the asset restated to the revalued amount.
Depreciable property, plant and equipment assets are written-off to their estimated residual values over their estimated useful lives to FSANZ using, in all cases, the straight-line method of depreciation. Leasehold improvements are depreciated on a straight line basis over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the improvements or the unexpired period of the lease.
Depreciation rates (useful lives), residual values and methods are reviewed at each reporting date and necessary adjustments are recognised in the current, or current and future reporting periods, as appropriate,
Depreciation rates applying to each class of depreciable asset are based on the following useful lives:
Depreciation
2012 2011
Leasehold improvements
Plant and equipment 3-15 years
Per life of lease
3-15 years
Per life of lease
144 APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-201 2
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
Impairment
All assets were assessed for impairment at 30 June 2012. Where indications of impairment exist, the asset *s recoverable amount is estimated and an impairment adjustment made if the asset's recoverable amount is less than its carrying amount. .
The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. Value in use is the present value of the future cash flows expected to be derived from the asset. Where the future economic benefit of an asset is not primarily dependent on the asset *s ability to generate future cash flows, and the asset would be replaced if FSANZ were deprived of the asset, its value in use is taken to be its depreciated replacement cost.
Derecognition
An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon disposal or when ho further future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal.
1.17 Intangibles
FSANZ *s intangibles comprise internally developed software for internal use and purchased software. These assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.
Internally developed software and purchased software with values of $20,000 or greater are capitalised. Any purchases under these thresholds are expensed in the year of acquisition (other than when they form part of a group of similar items which are significant in total).
Intangible assets are amortised on a straight line basis over their anticipated useful lives. The useful lives of FSANZ's software are:
2012 2011
Internally developed software 4 Years 4 years
Purchased 4 Years 4 years
Ail software assets were assessed for indications of impairment as at 30 June 2012.
1.18 Taxation
FSANZ is exempt from all forms of taxation except Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Australia and New Zealand.
Revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities are recognised net of GST:
" except where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office; and
" except for receivables and payables.
1.19 Foreign Currency
Transactions denominated in a foreign currency are converted at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Foreign currency bank account amounts are translated at the exchange rate current as at the reporting date.
1.20 Comparative Figures
Comparative figures have been adjusted, where required, to conform to the following changes in presentation in these financial statements:
" Note 13 Executive Remuneration now includes the General Manager based in New Zealand.
NOTE 2: EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD
There was ho subsequent event that had the potential to significantly affect the ongoing structure and financial activities of FSANZ.
APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 145
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CHAPTER 5
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Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
NOTE 3: EXPENSES 2012 2011
$ $
Note 3A: Employee Benefits Wages and salaries 13,172,975 13,229,970
Superannuation Defined contribution plans 844,801 793,897
Defined benefit plans 1,052,707 1,137,642
Leave and other entitlements 1,159,736 455,447
Separation and redundancies 98,402 -
Other employee expenses 64,758 55,681
Total employee benefits 16,393,379 15,672,637
Note 3B: Suppliers Goods and services Consultants 958,261 736,193
Contractors 261,019 353,036
Travel 1,105,127 1,337,166
Computer expenses 457,048 411,852
Subscriptions 120,839 168,826
Legal fees 294,516 83,892
Training 205,487 177,186
Other 924,171 1,266,136
Total goods and services 4,326,468 4,534,287
Goods and services are made up of: Provision of goods - related entities 2,089 2,421
Provision of goods - external parties 742,605 542,265
Rendering of services - related entities 768,959 476,215
Rendering of services - external parties 2,812,815 3,513,386
Total goods and services 4,326,468 4,534,287
Other supplier expenses Operating lease rentals: Minimum lease payments 1,419,285 1,413,363
Workers compensation expenses 38,823 24,685
Total other supplier expenses 1,458,108 1,438,048
Total supplier expenses 5,784,576 5,972,335
Note 3C: Depreciation and Amortisation Depreciation: Property, plant and equipment 628,801 648,867
Total depreciation628,801 648,867
Amortisation: Computer Software 192,951 76,426
Total amortisation 192,951 76,426
Total depreciation and amortisation 821,752 725,293
Note 3D: Finance costs Unwinding of discount 19,324 14,120
Total finance costs 19,324 14,120
Note 3E: Write-Down and Impairment of Assets Write Offs 857 -
Total write-down and impairment of assets 857 -
Note 3F: Foreign Exchange Losses Non-speculative 6,395 17,649
Total foreign exchange losses 6,395 17,649
Note 3G: Losses from Asset Sales Property, plant and equipment Proceeds from sale (4,240) -
Carrying value of assets sold 4,836 -
Total losses from asset sales 596 -
146 APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AN N U AL R E P ORT 201 1 -201 2
Notes to and form ing part of the Financial Statem ents
NOTE 4: IN COM E
OWN-SOU RCE REVENUE 2012 2011
$ $
Note 4A: Sale of Goods and Rendering of Services
New Zealand Government funding 1,621,376 1,527,875
Cost recovery fees 416,157 453,054
International projects 120,494 -
Nanotechnology 100,000 120,000
Surveys 714,936 505,835
Royalties 846 6,991
Dietary Modelling 171,000 -
Other 32,675 3,1 14
Total sale of goods and rendering of services 3,177,484 2,616,869
Sale of goods and rendering of services are made up of:
Provision of goods - related entities - -
Provision of goods - external parties - 3,114
Rendering of services - related entities 985,936 625,835
Rendering of services - external parties 2,191,548 1,987,920
Total sale of goods and rendering of services 3,177,484 2,616,869
Note 4B: Interest
Deposits 574,940 515,171
Total interest 574,940 515,171
Note 4C: Other revenue
Other 25,620 23,384
Total other revenue 25,620 23,384
GAINS
Note 4D: Sale of Assets
Property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale - 1,496
Carrying value of assets sold - (604)
Net gain from sale of assets 892
Note 4E: Revenue from Australian Government
Department of Health and Ageing
CAC Act body payment item 18,760,186 19,296,000
Total revenue from Government 18,760,186 19,296,000
AP P E N DI X 5 - FI N AN CI AL STATE M E N TS 1 4 7
C H A
P T E
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CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
NOTE 5: FINANCIAL ASSETS
2012 2011
Note 5A: Cash and Cash Equivalents $ $
AUSTRALIA
Cash on hand 500 500
Deposits 10,656,065 9,573,553
NEW ZEALAND Cash on hand 50,326 12,658
Deposits 392 386
Total cash and cash equivalents 10,707,283 9,587,097
Note 5B: Trade and Other Receivables
Goods and services - related parties 370,072 230,919
Goods and services - external parties _ 177,672 ______ 31,558
Total receivable for goods and services 547,744 _____ 262,477
Other receivables:
Interest 58,891 153,785
Other receivables 49,124 68,538
Total other receivables 108,015 222,323
Total trade and other receivables (gross) 655,759 484,800
Less impairment allowance account __________________________-
Total trade and other receivables (net) 655,759 484,800
Receivables are expected to be recovered in:
No more than 12 months 655,759 484,800
More than 12 Months - -Total trade and other receivables (net) 655,759 484,800
Receivables are aged as follows:
Not overdue 636,749 455,484
Overdue by:
0 to 30 days 19,010 29,202
31 to 60 days - 1
61 to 90 days - 113
More than 90 days _ _ - ___________ -
Total receivables (gross) 655,759 484,800
The impairment allowance account is aged as follows:
Overdue by:
61 to 90 days
More than 90 days
Total impairment allowance account
148 APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
NOTE 6: NON-FINANCIAL ASSETS
2012 2011
Note 6A: Land and Buildings $ $
Leasehold improvements
- Fitout & leasehold improvements at fair value 1,578,650 683,081
- Accumulated depreciation (185,464) (179,784) Total leasehold improvements 1,393,186 503,297
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
Total land and buildings 1,393,186 503,297
Note 6B: Property, Plant and Equipment
Artefacts Artefacts (at fair value) _______ 7,500 _______ 7,500
Total artefacts 7,500 7,500
Furniture and fittings
Furniture & Fittings (at fair value) 9,650 15,270
Total furniture & fittings 9,650 15,270
Computer equipment
Computer Equipment (at fair value) 386,982 448,500
Total computer equipment 386,982 448,500
Office equipment Office Equipment (at fair value) 195,339 220,900
Total office equipment 195,339 220,900
Total property, plant and equipment 599,471 692,170
All revaluations are conducted in accordance with the revaluation policy stated at Note 1. In 2011-12, an independent valuer, Pickles Valuation Services (PVS), conducted a full review of all asset categories at Net Book Value (NBV), as at 30 June 2012.
Revaluation increment of $994,359 (2011 :$0) for leasehold improvements and decrement of $23,867 (2011: $0) for property plant and equipment were credited to the asset revaluation surplus by asset class and included in the equity section of the balance sheet. No decrements were expensed (2011 :$0).
No indicators of impairment were found for property, plant and equipment.
No property, plant or equipment is held for sale, however, some assets may be sold as part of the normal refresh process within the next 12 months.
APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 149
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Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
NOTE 6: NON-FINANCIAL ASSETS
Note 6C: Reconciliation of the Opening and Closing Balances of Property, Plant and Equipment (2011-12)
Buildings - Property, LeaseholdPlant & Improvements Equipment Total
$ $ $
As at 1 July 2011
Gross book value 683,081 692,170 1,375,251
Accumulated depreciation/amortisation and impairment (179,784) - (179,784)
Net book value 1 July 2011 503,297 692,170 1,195,467
Additions:
By purchase 194,439 238,817 433,256
By makegood recognition 27,936 - 27,936
Revaluations and impairments recognised in other comprehensive income 994,360 (23,867) 970,493 Depreciation/amortisation expense (326,846) (301,956) (628,802)
Disposals:
Other disposals - (5,693) (5,693)
Net book value 30 June 2012 1,393,186 599,471 1,992,657
Net book value as of 30 June 2012 represented by:
Gross book value 1,578,650 599,471 2,178,121
Accumulated depreciation/amortisation and impairment (185,464) - (185,464)
Net book value 30 June 2012 1,393,186 599,471 1,992,657
Note 6C (Cont'd): Reconciliation of the Opening and Closing Balances of Property, Plant and Equipment (2010-11)
Buildings - Property, LeaseholdPlant & Improvements Equipment Total
$ $ $
As at 1 July 2010
Gross book value 1,679,101 906,526 2,585,627
Accumulated depreciation/amortisation and impairment (842,579) (279,660) (1,122,239) Net book value 1 July 2010 836,522 626,866 1,463,388
Additions:
By purchase 5,455 342,674 348,129
By makegood recognition - - -
Revaluations and impairments recognised in other comprehensive income 3,874 29,548 33,422 Depreciation/amortisation expense (342,554) (306,314) (648,868)
Disposals:
Other disposals - (604) (604)
Net book value 30 June 2011 503,297 692,170 1,195,467
Net book value as of 30 June 2011 represented by:
Gross book value 683,081 692,170 1,375,251
Accumulated depreciation/amortisation and impairment(179,784) - (179,784)
Net book value 30 June 2011 503,297 692,170 1,195,467
150 APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
NOTE 6: NON-FINANCIAL ASSETS
2012 2011
Note 6D: Intangibles Computer software:
$ $
Purchased 973,657 483,624
Internally developed - in use - 234,800
Internally developed - in progress 1,230,999 1,028,775
Accumulated amortisation (271,253) (340,678)
Total computer software 1,933,403 1,406,521
No indicators of impairment were found for intangible assets.
No intangibles are expected to be sold or disposed of within the next 12 months.
Note 6E: Reconciiiation of the Opening and Closing Balances of Intangibles (2011-12)
As at 1 July 2011 Gross book value Accumulated amortisation and impairment Net book value 1 July 2011 Additions:
By purchase or internally developed Amortisation Net book value 30 June 2012
Net book value as of 30 June 2012 represented by:
Gross book value Accumulated amortisation and impairment Net book value 30 June 2012
Computer software Computer software internally developed purchasedTotal $ $ $
1,263,575 483,624 1,747,199
(234,800) (105,878) (340,678)
1,028,775 377,746 1,406,521
202,224 517,608 719,832
- (192,950) (192,950)
1,230,999 702,404 1,933,403
1,230,999 973,657 2,204,656
- (271,253) (271,253)
1,230,999 702,404 1,933,403
Note 6E (Cont *d): Reconciliation ot the Opening and Closing Balances of Intangibles (2010-11)
Computer software Computer software internally developed purchasedTotal
As at 1 July 2010
$ $ $
Gross book value 234,800 101,262 336,062
Accumulated amortisation and impairment(234,800) (29,452) (264,252) Net book value 1 July 2010 Additions:
71,810 71,810
By purchase or internaily developed 1,028,775 382,362 1,411,137
Amortisation - (76,426) (76,426)
Net book value 30 June 2011 1,028,775 377,746 1,406,521
Net book value as of 30 June 2011 represented by:
Gross book value 1,263,575 483,624 1,747,199
Accumulated amortisation and impairment (234,800) (105,878) (340,678)
Net book value 30 June 2011 1,028,775 377,746 1,406,521
276.071 212,656 276.071 212,656
All other non-financial assets are expected to be recovered in no more than 12 months.
No indicators of impairment were found for other non-financial assets.
Note 6F: Other Non-Financial Assets Prepayments Total other non-financial assets
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Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
NOTE 7: PAYABLES 2012 2011
s $
Note 7A: Suppliers Trade creditors 815,536 597,593
Total suppliers payables 815,536 597,593
Supplier payables - expected to be settled within 12 months:
Related entities 169,760 55,749
External parties 645,776 541,844
Total 815,536 597,593
Supplier payables - expected to be settled in greater than 12 months:
Related entities - -
External parties - -
Total - -
Total suppliers payables 815,536 597,593
Settlement was usually made within 30 days.
Note 7B: Other Payables Wages and salaries 360,055 297,207
Superannuation 51,518 35,948
Performance based pay 282,819 366,915
Unearned income 2,061,913 1,104,545
Lease incentives 28,370 24,782
Other 129,992 38,229
Total other payables 2,914,667 1,867,626
Total other payables are expected to be settled in:
No more than 12 months 2,898,726 1,858,496
More than 12 months 15,941 9,1 30
Total other payables 2,914,667 1,867,626
152 AP P E N DI X 5 FI N AN CI AL STATE M E N TS
ANNUAL REPORT 201 1-2012
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
NOTE 8: PROVISIONS 2012 2011
$ $
Note 8A: Employee Provisions
Leave 4,962,989 4,078,445
Total employee provisions 4,962,989 4,078,445
Employee provisions are expected to be settled in.â‘
No more than 12 months 1,831,047 1,778,522
More than 12 months 3,131,942 2,299,923
Total employee provisions 4,962,989 4,078,445
Note 8B: Other Provisions
Provision for restoration obligations 337,553 290,293
Total other provisions 337,553 290,293
Other provisions are expected to be settled in:
No more than 12 months 308,606 -
More than 12 Months 28,947 290,293
Total other provisions 337,553 290,293
Provision for restorationTotal
$ $
Carrying amount 1 July 2011 290,293 290,293
Additional provisions made (Revaluations) 27,936 27,936
Unwinding of discount or change in discount rate 19,324 19,324
Closing balance 2012 337,553 337,553
FSANZ currently has two agreements (2011: Two) for the leasing of premises which have provisions requiring FSANZ to restore the premises to their original condition at the conclusion of the lease. FSANZ has made a provision to reflect the present value of this obligation.
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Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
NOTE 9: CASH FLOW RECONCILIATION 2012 2011
$ $
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents as per Balance Sheet to Cash Flow Statement
Cash and cash equivalents as per:
Cash flow statement 10,707,283 9,587,097
Balance sheet 10,707,283 9,587,097
Difference -
Reconciliation of net cost of services to net cash from operating activities:
Net cost of services (19,248,835) (19,245,718)
Add revenue from Government 18,760,186 19,296,000
Adjustment for non-cash items
Depreciation / amortisation 821,752 725,293
Net write down of non-financial assets 857 -
Foreign Exchange loss 6,395 17,649
Loss (Gain) on sale of assets 596 (892)
Changes in assets/liabilities
(Increase) in net receivables (170,959) (49,166)
(Increase) / decrease in prepayments (63,415) 3,026
Increase in other payables 1,047,041 496,095
Increase in employee provisions 884,544 348,732
Increase / (decrease) in supplier payables 217,943 (520,728)
Increase in other provisions 19,324 14,120
Net cash from operating activities 2,275,429 1,084,411
NOTE 10: CONTINGENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
As FSANZ had no contingent liabilities or contingent assets as at 30 June 2012 or in the preceeding reporting period, a Schedule of Contingencies has not been included. FSANZ also had no unquantiflable or remote contingent assets or liabilities. (2011: Nil)
154 APPENDIX 5 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AN N U AL R E P O R T 201 1 -201 2
N otes to and form ing part of the Financial Statem ents
N OTE 11: DIRECTORS REM U N ERATION
The number of non-executive directors of FSANZ included in these figures are shown below in the relevant remuneration bands: 2012 2011
No. No.
$0 to $1 5,000 1 -
$1 5,000 to $29,999 - 1
$30,000 to $44,999 8 9
$45,000 to $59,999 1 -
$60,000 to $74,999 1 -
$75,000 to $89,999 - 1
Total number of directors of FSANZ 11 11
Total remuneration received or due and receivable by directors of FSANZ $339,692 $434,257
Directors of FSANZ are appointed by the Minister for Health and Ageing. New Zealand members are nominated for appointment by the New Zealand Minister for Food Safety.
The Chief Executive Officer is the only full time paid director - and is included in Note 13 Executive Remuneration.
N OTE 12: RELATED PARTY DISCLOSU RES
FSANZ had no related party transactions during the year. (2011: Nil)
N OTE 13: SENIOR EXECU TIVE REM U N ERATION
Note 13A: Senior Executive Remuneration Expense for the Reporting Period 2012 2011
Short-term employee benefits:
Salary
Annual leave accrued Performance bonuses
Other
Total short-term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits:
Superannuation Total post-employment benefits
Other long-term benefits:
Long-service leave
Total other long-term benefits
Termination benefits
Total
$ $
1,254,073 924,770
79,486 77,603
114,588 92,242
87,945 64,024
1,536,092 1,1 58,639
163,749 132,018
163,749 132,018
27,111 25,280
27,111 25,280
98,402 —
1,825,354 1,315,937
Notes:
1. Note 13A was prepared on an accrual basis (so the performance bonus expenses disclosed above differ from the cash ‘ Bonus paid’ in Note 13B).
2. Note 13A excludes acting arrangements and part-year service where remuneration expensed for a senior executive was less than $1 50,000.
3. Note 13A has been restated for 201 0-11 to reflect the inclusion of the New Zealand General Manager.
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NOTE 13: SENIOR EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION
Note 13B: Average Annual Reportable Remuneration Paid for Substantive Senior Executives During the Reporting Period
2012
Senior Reportable ContributedReportable
Average annual reportable remuneration1 Executives salary2 superannuation3 allowances4 Bonus paid5 Total
No. $ $ $ $ $
Total remuneration (including part-time arrangements):
$210,000 to $239,999 3 176,164 23,209 12,432 211,805
$270,000 to $299,999 1 159,503 86,155 - 18,824 264,482
$300,000 to $329,999 1 226,451 69,320 - 6,515 302,286
$330,000 to $359,999 1 250,721 31,439 - 29,994 312,154
Total 6
2011
Senior Reportable ContributedReportable
Average annual reportable remuneration1 Executives salary2 superannuation3 allowances4 Bonus paid5 Total
No. $ $ $ $ $
Total remuneration (including part-time arrangements):
less than $150,000 1 79,679 34,888 114,567
$180,000 to $209,999 3 151,381 35,528 - 11,786 198,695
$270,000 to $299,999 1 147,770 83,362 - 22,845 253,977
$300,000 to $329,999 1 241,090 31,721 - 29,120 301,931
Total 6
Notes:
1. This table reports substantive senior executives who received remuneration during the reporting period. Each row is an averaged figure based on headcount for individuals in the band.
2. *Reportable salary * includes the following:
a} gross payments (less any bonuses paid, which are separated out and disclosed in the *bonus paid * column);
b) reportable fringe benefits (at the net amount prior to *grossing up * to account for tax benefits); and
c) exempt foreign employment income.
3. The *contributed superannuation * amount is the average actual superannuation contributions paid to senior executives in that reportable remuneration band during the reporting period, including any salary sacrificed amounts, as per the individuals * payslips.
4. 'Reportable allowances * are the average actual allowances paid as per the *total allowances' line on individuals * payment summaries.
5. 'Bonus paid * represents average actual bonuses paid during the reporting period in that reportable remuneration band. The *bonus paid' within a particular band may vary between financial years due to various factors such as individuals commencing with or leaving the entity during the financial year.
6. Various salary sacrifice arrangements were available to senior executives including superannuation, motor vehicle and expense payment fringe benefits. Salary sacrifice benefits are reported in the *reportable salary' column, excluding salary sacrificed superannuation, which is reported in the *contributed superannuation * column.
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 157
NOTE 13: SENIOR EXECUTIVE REMUNERATION
Note 13C: Other Highly Paid Staff
2012
Average annual reportable remuneration1 Staff
Reportable salary2
Contributed superannuation3 Reportable allowances4 Bonus paid5 Total
No. $ $ $ $ $
Total remuneration (including part-time arrangements):
$150,000 to $179,999 9 114,919 34,958 11,731 161,607
Total 9
2011
Average annual reportable remuneration1 Staff
Reportable salary2
Contributed superannuation3 Reportable allowances4 Bonus paid5 Total
No. $ $ S $ $
Total remuneration (including part-time arrangements):
$150,000 to $179,999 8 109,863 35,676 12,415 157,955
Total 8
Notes:
1. This table reports staff:
> a) who were employed by the entity during the reporting period; "0 b) whose reportable remuneration was $150,000 or more for the financial period; and
!" c) were not required to be disclosed in Tables A, B or director disclosures.
^ Each row is an averaged figure based on headcount for individuals in the band.
01 2. 'Reportable salary * includes the following:
a) gross payments (less any bonuses paid, which are separated out and disclosed in the *bonus paid * column);
b) reportable fringe benefits (at the net amount prior to 'grossing up' to account for tax benefits); and
c) exempt foreign employment income.
3. The *contributed superannuation' amount is the average actual superannuation contributions paid to senior executives in that reportable remuneration band during the reporting period, including any salary sacrificed amounts, as per the individuals' payslips.
4. *Reportable allowances' are the average actual allowances paid as per the 'total allowances * line on individuals' payment summaries.
5. *Bonus paid' represents average actual bonuses paid during the reporting period in that reportable remuneration band. The *bonus paid' within a particular band may vary between financial years due to various factors such as individuals commencing with or leaving the entity during the financial year.
6. Various salary sacrifice arrangements were available to other highly paid staff including superannuation, motor vehicle and expense payment fringe benefits. Salary sacrifice benefits are reported in the 'reportable salary' column, excluding salary sacrificed superannuation, which is reported in the *contributed superannuation' column.
m *å O X) H *ì*å O
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Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
NOTE 14: REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS
Financial statement audit services were provided by the Australian National Audit Office
Fair value of the services provided
- Financial statements audit services
2012
$
35.000
35.000
2011
$
34.000
34.000
No other services were provided by the ANAO.
NOTE 15: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
2012 2011
15A: Categories of Financial Instruments $ $
Financial Assets
Loans and receivables:
Cash and cash equivalents 10,707,283 9,587,097
Trade and other receivables 655,759 484,800
Carrying amount of financial assets 11,363,042 10,071,897
Financial Liabilities
Other Liabilities:
Payables - suppliers 815,536 597,593
Carrying amount of financial liabilities 815,536 597,593
15B: Net Income and Expense from Financial Assets Loans and receivables
Interest revenue 574,940 515,171
Foreign exchange (loss) (6,395) (17,649)
Net gain loans and receivables 568,545 497,522
Net gain from financial assets 568,545 497,522
Carrying Fair CarryingFair
15C: Fair Value of Financial Instruments amount value amount value
%†V 2012 2012 2011 2011
Financial Assets $ $ $ $
Loans and receivables 11,363,042 11,363,042 10,071,897 10,071,897
Total 11,363,042 11,363,042 10,071,897 10,071,897
Financial Liabilities
Other Liabilities 815,536 815,536 597,593 597,593
Total 815,536 815,536 597,593 597,593
158 APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
NOTE 15: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
15D: Credit risk
FSANZ is exposed to minimal credit risk as loans and receivables are trade and other receivables. The maximum exposure to credit risk is the risk that arises from potential default of a debtor. This amount is equal to the total amount of trade and other receivables (2012: $655,759 and 2011: $484,400). FSANZ has assessed the risk of the default on payment as minimal and no allowance for impairment has been made.
FSANZ holds no collateral to mitigate against credit risk.
Credit risk of financial instruments not past due or individuaily determined as impaired
Not Past Due Not Past Due Past due or Past due or
Nor Impaired Nor Impaired impaired impaired
2012 2011 2012 2011
Loans and receivables $ $ $ $
Trade and other receivables 636,749______ 455,484 19,010______ 29,316
Total 636,749 455,484 19,010 29,316
Ageing of financial assets that are past due but not impaired for 2012
0 to 30 days 31 to 60 days 61 to 90 days 90+ days Total
Loans and receivables $ $ $ $ $
Trade and other receivables 19,010 - - - 19,010
Total 19,010 - - - 19,010
Ageing of financial assets that are past due but not impaired for 2011
0 to 30 days 31 to 60 days 61 to 90 days 90+ days Total
Loans and receivables $ $ $ $ $
Trade and other receivables 29,202 ____________ 1___________113 ___________ - 29,316
Total 29,202____________1 __________ 113___________ - 29,316
15E: Liquidity risk
FSANZ's financial liabilities are trade creditors and other payables. The exposure to liquidity risk is based on the notion that FSANZ will encounter difficulty in meeting its obligations associated with financial liabilities. This is highly unlikely due to Government funding and mechanisms available to FSANZ and internal policies and procedures put in place to ensure there are appropriate resources to meet its financial obligations.
FSANZ has no past experience of default.
Maturities for non-derivative financial liabilities 2012
On demand
$
Payables - suppliers -
within 1 year
$
815,536
1 to 5 years
$
> 5 years
$
Total
$
815,536
Total - 815,536 - - 815,536
Maturities for non-derivative financial liabilities 2011
On demand
$
Payables - suppliers -
within 1 year
$
597,593
1 to 5 years
$
> 5 years
$
Total
$
597,593
Total - 597,593 - - 597,593
15F: Market risk
FSANZ holds basic financial instruments that do not expose FSANZ to certain market risks, however FSANZ holds assets and liabilities in New Zealand dollars and is exposed to normal currency fluctuations in the Australian/New Zealand dollar exchange rate.
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Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
NOTE 16: REPORTING OF OUTCOMES
FSANZ operates primarily in a single industry and has operations in both Canberra, Australia and Wellington, New Zealand.
FSANZ objectives, in developing or reviewing food standards as set down in legislation, are to: protect public health and safety; ensure the provision of adequate information relating to food to enable informed consumer choice; and prevent misleading and deceptive conduct.
FSANZ is structured to meet one outcome:
Outcome 1: A safe food supply and well-informed consumers in Australia and New Zealand, including through the development of food regulatory measures and the promotion of their consistent implementation, coordination of food recall activities and the monitoring of consumer and industry food practices.
Note 16A: Net Cost of Outcome Delivery
Outcome 1 Total
2012 2011 2012 2011
S *000 $ *000 $ *000 $ *000
Expenses 23,027 22,402 23,027 22,402
Income from non-government sector
Activities subject to cost recovery 416 453 416 453
Other 2,369 2,059 2,369 2,059
Total2,785 2,512 2,785 2,512
Other own-source income
Other 993 644 993 644
Net cost of outcome deliverey 19,249 19,246 19,249 19,246
Outcome 1 is described in Note 1 1.1 Net costs shown include intra-government costs that are eliminated in calculating the actual Budget outcome.
160 APPENDIX 5 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ANNUAL REPORT 201 1-2012
Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements
NOTE 16: REPORTING OF OUTCOMES
Note 16B: Major Classes of Departmental Expenses, Income, Assets and Liabilities by Outcome
Outcome 1 Total
2012 2011 2012 2011
$'000 $ *000 $ *000 $ *000
Expenses
Employees 16,393 15,673 16,393 15,673
Suppliers 5,785 5,972 5,785 5,972
Depreciation and amortisation 822 725 822 725
Write-down and impairment of assets 1 - 1 -
Net foreign exchange losses 6 18 6 18
Finance charge 19 14 19 14
Loss from asset sales 1 - 1 -
Total 23,027 22,402 23,027 22,402
Income
Revenues from Government 18,760 19,296 18,760 19,296
Sales of goods & services 3,177 2,617 3,177 2,617
Interest 575 515 575 515
Net foreign exchange gains - - - -
Other non-taxation revenues 26 24 26 24
Total 22,538 22,452 22,539 22,452
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents 10,707 9,587 10,707 9,587
Trade and other receivables 656 485 656 485
Land and buildings 1,393 503 1,393 503
Property, plant and equipment 599 692 599 692
Intangibles 1,933 1,407 1,933 1,407
Other non-financial assets 276 213 276 213
Total15,565 12,887 15,565 12,887
Liabilities
Suppliers 816 598 816 598
Other payables 2,915 1,868 2,915 1,868
Employee provisions 4,963 4,078 4,963 4,078
Other provisions 338 290 338 290
Total9,031 6,834 9,031 6,834
Outcomes 1 is described in Note 11.1 Net costs shown include intra-government costs that are eliminated in calculating the actual Budget outcome.
NOTE 17: COMPENSATION AND DEBT RELIEF
FSANZ incurred no expenses or liabilities in relation to compensation and debt relief in the reporting period (2010-11 nil).
APPENDIX 5 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 161
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Appendix 6 - Functions and powers
Food Standards Australia New Zealand is a statutory authority established by the
Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 7997. The Act came into effect on 19 August
1991. FSANZ is part of the Health and Ageing portfolio of the Australian Government and,
on day-to-day matters, is accountable to the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing,
the Hon Catherine King, MP.
Sections 13 and 14 of the Act state:
Functions
(1) The functions of the Authority are:
(a) in accordance with this Act, to develop standards and variations of standards,
and to review standards and variations of standards; and
(b) in accordance with this Act, to develop codes of practice and variations of codes
of practice for industry and to review codes of practice; and
(c) to develop guidelines to assist the interpretation of the Australia New Zealand Food
Standards Code on its own initiative or in consultation with the States, the Territories
and any other body or person that the Authority considers appropriate; and
(d) to promote consistency between standards in Australia and New Zealand with
those used internationally, based on the best available scientific evidence; and
(e) in consultation with the States and Territories, or on its own initiative, to facilitate
the harmonisation of State and Territory laws relating to food; and
(f) in consultation with the States and Territories, or on its own initiative, to co-ordinate
the development of procedures required to implement requirements set out in
standards; and
(g) in consultation with the States and Territories, to co-ordinate the monitoring,
surveillance and enforcement of activities relating to food available in Australia; and
(h) in consultation with the States and Territories, or on its own initiative, to conduct
research and surveys in relation to any of the matters that may be included in a
standard; and
162 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
(i) in co-operation with the States and Territories, to develop food education initiatives,
including the publication of information to increase public awareness of food
standards and food labels; and
(j) in co-operation with the Department administering Division 1A of Part V of the
Trade Practices Act 1974, to co-ordinate the recall of food under that Division; and
(k) at the request of the States and Territories, to co-ordinate action by the States and
Territories to recall food under State and Territory laws; and
(l ) to develop assessment policies in relation to food imported into Australia; and
(m) to provide advice to the Minister on matters relating to food; and
(n) to participate in international, regional and bilateral negotiations on matters that
may be included in standards; and
(o) to make the Authority *s knowledge, expertise, equipment, facilities and intellectual
property available to other persons on a commercial basis; and
(p) at the request of New Zealand, to perform functions for New Zealand similar to the
functions that the Authority may perform in relation to the States and Territories; and
(q) at the request of New Zealand, to perform functions for New Zealand similar to the
other functions that the Authority may perform; and
(qa) such other functions as are conferred on the Authority by this Act; and
(r) any functions incidental to any of the foregoing functions.
(2) The function conferred by paragraph (1)(o):
(a) can only be exercised:
(i) for a purpose for which the Parliament has power to make laws; or
(ii) to utilise the Authority *s spare capacity; and
(b) does not authorise the Authority to do something that would impede the Authority's
capacity to perform its other functions.
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FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Powers
(1) The Authority has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done in
connection with the performance of its functions and, in particular, may:
(a) enter into contracts; and
(b) acquire, hold and dispose of real or personal property; and
(c) occupy, use and control any land or building owned, or held under lease, by the
Commonwealth and made available for the purposes of the Authority; and
(d) engage persons to perform sen/ices for the Authority; and
(e) provide assistance to bodies or persons to prepare submissions:
(i) relating to the development or consideration of draft food regulatory measures
or draft variations of food regulatory measures; or
(ii) relating to the performance of any other function of the Authority;
if the Authority determines that such assistance will advance the development or
consideration of that draft or the performance of that other function; and
(f) accept gifts, grants, bequests and advances made to the Authority (whether on
trust or otherwise) and act as trustee of money or other property vested in the
Authority on trust; and
(fa) form, or participate in the formation of, companies; and
(fb) subscribe for or purchase shares in, or debentures and other securities of,
companies; and
(fc) participate in partnerships, trusts and unincorporated joint ventures; and
(g) do anything incidental to any of its powers.
(2) The powers of the Authority may be exercised within or outside Australia.
164 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 201 1-2012
Appendix 7 - General and scientific publications
General publications
Ail publications are available from www.foodstandards.gov.au and limited hard copies of
certain publications are available by contacting info@foodstandards.gov.au.
Please note the hard copy of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and User Guides
are available from SAI Global at www.saiglobal.com/lnformation/Legislation/Services/Food/
or on (03) 9278 1144.
Title Description
Agents of Foodborne Illness A technical series summarising key information on microorganisms associated with foodborne illness.
First published 2011.
Annual Report A report to the Australian Parliament on FSANZ *s
activities for the year. Annual publication.
AUSNUT Australian Food and Nutrient Database.
AUSNUT is FSANZ *s first ever data release on CD Rom. The AUSNUT CD contains a set of seven inter-related data files and explanatory notes that contain a wealth of descriptive and numerical data on the food and nutrient composition of Australian foods.
First published 1999.
Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code This document contains food standards (regulations) that apply to food businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Compliance with the standards is mandatory.
Available in loose-leaf form by subscription from SAI Global on (03) 9278 1144.
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Australian Total Diet Study This study monitors pesticide and contaminant (formerly the Australian Market Basket Survey) residues present in food and estimates their intake in the diets of Australians. FSANZ uses this information when developing food standards.
19th ATDS published April 2001.
20th ATDS published January 2003.
21st ATDS Latest edition released August 2005.
22nd ATDS - latest edition released August 2008.
23rd ATDS Latest edition released August 2011.
Corporate Plan The Corporate Plan sets out FSANZ *s strategic
directions over a three-year period. Latest edition 2009-2012.
Printed August 2009.
Food Industry Recall Protocol This booklet is a step-by-step guide to carrying out food recalls. It explains what must be done when food products have to be recalled from shops or consumers for health and safety reasons.
First published June 1994. Latest edition 5th September 2002 and print rerun June 2004, September 2008.
Food labels: What do they mean? (Poster) A full colour A2 poster explaining the changes to food labels.
First published October 2001. Print reruns 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2007.
Updated 2007.
Food Standards News A monthly e-newsletter about the key issues and
significant projects undertaken by FSANZ.
Food Surveillance News A quarterly publication co-coordinating
microbiological and other food safety studies from the states and territories.
Available by email and website.
GM Foods FSANZ *s safety assessment process for
genetically modified foods.
Published June 2005.
166 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Listeria and Food brochure An easy-to-read brochure which explains how
to reduce the risk of contracting the Listeria infection *specifically advice for people at risk * pregnant women, their unborn and newborn children, older people (65 years and older), or the immuno-compromised. The brochure sets out foods which are safe and those at *higher risk * of Listeria contamination.
Reprinted June 2012. Available from the website and in hard copy.
Mercury in fish brochure and fact sheet The Mercury in fish brochure contains information on the recommended portions of fish that should be consumed by various sectors of the population. Further information is available on the FSANZ website.
Monitoring of Emerging Issues newsletter Occasional summary of global food safety issues.
Available on website only.
NUTTAB NUTTAB 2010 is an updated food composition
publication containing data on the nutrient content of foods available in Australia.
Nutrition information panel calculator A database to allow industry to calculate NIPs
Released August 2001.
The Analysis of Food-Related Health Risks Publication providing information on the risk analysis process used by FSANZ to identify, assess and manage food-related health risks within a structured framework.
Published February 2009.
Safe Food Australia 2nd Edition January 2001 (A Guide to the Food Safety Standards) This book contains Chapter 3 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
(applies to Australia only). The guide was prepared to assist with interpretation of three of the food safety standards in Chapter 3 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. They are: 3.1.1 Interpretation and Application; 3.2.2 Food Safety Practices and General requirements; 3.2.3 Food Premises and Equipment. q :
LL
Available from SAI Global at cost and from the a website free-of-charge. i n
Science Strategy 2010-15 Published 2010.
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Thinking about having a baby? Important things you need to know about what you eat and drink Pamphlet providing nutritional information for women who may be thinking about getting
pregnant.
Fact sheets updated/new 2011-12 Fact sheets on food issues for 2011-12.
Acrylamide in foods (September 2011) Available on the FSANZ website only. Alcoholic - Health advisory labels on alcoholic beverages (September 2011) Allergen Collaboration (May 2012) Antibiotics in the food supply (August 2011) Arsenic (December 2011)
Bacteriophages and food (March 2012) Bamboo Cassava and bamboo shoots (October 2011) Bisphenol A (BPA) (April 2012) Benzene in flavoured beverages (August 2011)
Caffeine (August 2011) Carbendazim in orange juice (January 2012) Cassava and bamboo shoots (October 2011) Chicken - Raw Chicken Meat Microbiological Survey - summary of results (November 2011) Chemicals in food packaging (May 2012) Cloned animals (December 2011) Coffee - Consumer warning on coffee products containing drugs (July 2011) Colours - Food colours (December 2011) Cooking poultry liver dishes safely (April 2012) Chemicals in food - maximum residue limits (February 2012)
Dioxins (February 2012)
E-coli outbreak in Germany (July 2011)
Fish labelling (September 2011) Fluoride in bottled water (November 2011) Folic acid - Monitoring of folic acid fortification (March 2012) Food colours (December 2011) Food irradiation (August 2011)
Hemp as a food (March 2012) Isomaltulose (December 2011) Imported food - Food imported into Australia (April 2012) Irradiation (August 2011) Irradiation of persimmons (August 2011)
continued next page
168 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Title Description
Fact sheets updated/new 2011-12 (continued) Fact sheets on food issues for 2011-12.
Japan - Safety of food from Japan Available on the FSANZ website only. (December 2011) Labels - Health advisory labels on alcoholic beverages (September 2011)
Laboratory - Good Laboratory Practice (February 2012) Liver - Cooking poultry liver dishes safely (April 2012)
Monitoring of folic add fortification (March 2012)
Milk (May 2012) Milk - Plant-based milk alternatives (May 2012) MRL *s - Chemicals in food - maximum residue
limits (February 2012) MSG in food (May 2012)
Mercury in Fish (September 2011)
Nanotechnology and Food (December 2011) Nitrates and nitrites (November 2011)
Nutrition, health and related claims (February 2012)
Paterson's Curse/Salvation Jane
honey (October 2011)
Palm oil (September 2011) Plant Sterols (also known as Phytosterols) (November 2011) Plant-based milk alternatives (May 2012)
Poultry - Cooking poultry liver dishes safely (April 2012) Quorn (mycoprotein) (December 2011)
Sodium and salt (August 2011) Sodium - How much sodium and salt are we
eating (August 2011) Sports foods (February 2012}
Sulphites (January 2012)
Tagatose - Information about tagatose for individuals with disorders in fructose
metabolism (April 2012)
Bottled wine labelled with a vintage date o f2002 or earlier (February 2012)
Wholegrain food (November 2011)
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Scientific publications
H Jin, D Craig and S Crerar (2011), Improving the effectiveness of food safety regulation to
minimise Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli contamination in fermented meat products.
European Journal of Food Research and Review 1(3): 145-148 (extended abstract).
Mackerras D, Powers J, Boorman J, Loxton D, Giles GG (2011) Estimating the impact
of mandatory fortification of bread with iodine on pregnant and post-partum women.
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 65:1118-1122.
Kerry Mills, Patricia Blenman, Michelle Robertson, Jamie Conlan, Snezana Smiljanic,
Jason March, Amanda Hill (2011) Examining the safety of fresh horticultural produce
in Australia. Proceedings of Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST)
Securing Global Food Safety conference.
Patricia Blenman, Beatrice Dias-Wanigasekera, Scott Crerar, Amanda Hill,
Duncan Craig (2011) Microbiological criteria in the Food Standards Code - time for a
change? Proceedings of Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST)
Securing Global Food Safety conference.
Mulrine H, Mackerras D (2011) Beaton *s Probability Approach for estimating prevalence
of inadequate iron intakes applied to Australian data. Abstract of the Nutrition Society of
Australia 35:107.
Martineau C, Mackerras D (2011) WHO Nutrient Profiling: Report of a WHO/IASO
Technical Meeting. London, United Kingdom, 4-6 October 2010. Geneva 2011.
(http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/profilingA/VHO_IASO_report2010/en/index.html).
Hayder H, Mueller U, Bartholomaeus A (2011) Review of Intolerance Reactions to Food
and Food Additives. International Food Risk Analysis Journal 1:2.
Fletcher N, Bartholomaeus A (2011) Regulation of Nanotechnologies in Food in Australia
and New Zealand. International Food Risk Analysis Journal 1:2
Utz Mueller, Janet Gorst (2011) Comment on Maternal and fetal exposure to pesticides
associated to genetically modified foods in Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada by A. Aris
and S. Leblanc [Reprod. Toxicol. 31 528-533] Reproductive Toxicology 2012; 33(3): 401-402.
170 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Rosalind Dalefield, Michelle Gosse, Andrew Bartholomaeus, Chris Schyvens, Utz Mueller
Determination of the single-dose 72-hour oral gavage LD50 values of monocrotaline and
riddelliine in male Han Wistar rats using the up-and-down procedure. Journal of Herbal
Medicine and Toxicology 2012; 6(1): 153-165.
Rosalind Dalefield, Michelle Gosse, Andrew Bartholomaeus, Chris Schyvens, Utz Mueller
Acute toxicity of heliotrine in male Han Wistar rats Journal of Toxicology Research 2012,
2(1): 12- 19.
Utz Mueller, A refined approach to estimate exposure for use In calculating the maximum
residue limit of veterinary drugs. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 2012; 62: 99-106.
Utz Mueller, Health risk assessment for cyanobacterial toxins in seafood, International
Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2012; 9: 807-820.
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Appendix 8 - Categories of documents held
Administration
Documents relating to administration include personnel, finance, property and resource
management records.
Agreements
FSANZ holds copies of the following agreements:
" The Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia, the States,
the Northern Territory of Australia and the Australian Capital Territory in relation
to the adoption of uniform food standards (2000).
" The Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand
establishing a system for the development of joint food standards which was signed
in 1995 and came into effect in 1996. This document can be found on the Internet
under the Australian Treaty Series 1996 Number 12. This link is available from our
website at www.foodstandards.gov.au, together with links to all relevant legislation.
Food recalls
A full list of the products involved and the reasons for each recall are given in an end-of-year
food recall report. A summary appears in this annual report.
Briefs, submissions and reports
We prepare and hold copies of briefing papers, submissions and reports relevant to
specific functions. Briefing papers and submissions include those prepared for ministers,
Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council, Food Regulation Standing
Committee, Implementation-Sub-Committee and other committees.
Databases
We maintain a wide range of computer databases to support our information and
processing needs, including the Australian Nutrient Databank and our dietary modelling
software (DIAMOND). All are held in our Canberra office.
172 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 201 1-2012
Files
Both paper-based and computer-based records are maintained on FSANZ *s activities.
They primarily relate to the processing of applications or proposals associated with a draft
standard or a draft variation to a standard. While most of these records are held in our
Canberra office, some are held in the Wellington office.
Finance documents
We maintain a series of documents relating to FSANZ financial management, including our
chart of accounts, expenditure and revenue ledgers and appropriation ledger.
Freedom of information enquiries
Inquiries concerning access to documents under the FOI Act should be directed to the FOI
Coordinator on +61 2 6271 2222 or email foi@foodstandards.gov.au.
Mailing lists
We maintain, for our own use, mailing lists to disseminate information to key stakeholders
and interested individuals. Documents distributed through this list include FSANZ annual
reports, Food Standards News, Food Surveillance News, information circulars, information
summaries, Explanatory Notes and Statements of Reasons.
Maps and plans
Maps and plans held are mainly working drawings, plans and specifications for our offices.
Public Register
We maintain a Public Register of documents for all applications and proposals. Applications,
public submissions and other associated material (with the exception of any commercially
confidential material or other confidential information), as well as relevant FSANZ documents
are placed on the Public Register file.
The Public Register files are now generally available electronically. Members of the public
wishing to access files no longer have to come to the Canberra or Wellington offices to view
the documents.
Public Register files can be inspected for an administrative charge with five working days *
notice. In Australia, the charge is: 1 file AU$110; 2-4 files AU$145; and 5 or more files
AU$180. Copying, postage and CDs are charged in addition to these costs. The charge
may be partially or fully waived for academic institutions, private individuals, community,
consumer or non-profit organisations.
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Review and research
Documents relating to policy review, dietary surveys, labelling research and organisational
and communications reviews are held in our Canberra office.
Media releases
All media releases are available on request. They can also be accessed from the FSANZ
website at www.foodstandards.gov.au.
Publications
See Appendix 7 for a list of current publications.
174 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Appendix 9 - Consultants
Consultancies worth $10,000 or more carried out in FSANZ during 2011-12:
Biotext limited Imported Food Advice Review 30,268.18 c Open
tender
Tasmanian Quality Identification of Food Safety 15,068.73B,C Sole
Assured Inc (TQA) in Horticulture provider
Sensory/ Pty Ltd Consultancy Services for software 368,041.50 A,B Panel -
development - Sharepoint Centrelink
Acuity Research Reputation Management18,081.82 B,C Sole
and Insights Pty Ltd Research provider
Yellow Edge Pty Ltd Development of a workforce 39,090.90 A Selective
capability framework tender
Minter Ellison Rudd HR Advice - New Zealand 12,318.99 B Sole
Watts Lawyers Employment law provider
Moore Stephens Develop a business 17,358.00 BSelective
Canberra Pty Ltd continuity plan tender
Orima Research Conduct Staff Survey 38,779.09 B Sole
Pty Ltd provider
Quality ManagementHR Advice 10,400.00 BSelective
Solutions (QMS) tender
Gaze Commercial Fitout of New Zealand Office 190,530.55 B Sole
provider
Sensory/ Pty Ltd Document Management Review 12,960.00 B Panel -
Centrelink
Wizard People Update Chief Executive 20,395.10 A Sole
Pty Ltd Instructions provider
Applied Economics Evaluation Model Report 24,852.01 A,BSole
provider
Centre tor Nutrition, Health & Related Claims 63,227.27B,C Sole
International Economics (CIE) Cost Analysis provider
James R G Butler Standards Development report 20,000.00 B Sole
provider
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University of Sydney Training - Discrete Choice Experiment 12,000.00 BSelective tender
CSIRO Literature Review 13,636.36 C Sole
provider
Flinders University Linkage project25,000.00 B,C Sole
provider
Newspoll Market Research Sports Food Survey 62,399.00 APanel
Newspoll Market Research Fortification Survey 38,840.00 A Panel
Reading Room Australia Pty Ltd Develop Website 51,000.00 A.BSelective
tender
Gillian Beaumont Legal Executive Search and Recruitment
20,548.01 B Sole
provider
Results Consulting (Aust) Pty Ltd Business Process Reengineering 17,500.00 B,C Selective
tender
Cogent Business Solutions Pty Ltd Project management of an integrated database application
(Harvest)
60,165.00 A,B Open
tender
National Measurement Institute (NMI)
Bread Fortification Survey 67,480.00 A,B Panel
National Measurement Institute (NMI)
Nutrient Data for Indigenous Foods 20,698.48 C Panel
Omni Potent Solutions
Software support enhancements and maintenance of the Australian Nutrients Data Bank (ANDB)
19,835.42 A,BPart of an existing contract
Peoplebank Australia
Consultancy Services for software development, software support and enhancement of dietary modelling data management system
12,241.39 A,BPart of an existing contract
Randstad Pty Ltd Temporary Staff 20,157.98 ASelective
tender
Fujitsu Development of an integrated
database application (Harvest) 137,452.00 BOpen tender
176 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
ESR Limited 24th Australian Total Diet Study 43,697.08 C Panel
National Measurement Institute (NMI)
24th Australian Total Diet Study 193,231.32 C Panel
SOS Recruitment Temporary Staff 26,966.44 A Selective
tender
Australian National University ARC Linkage Project20,000.00 B,C Sole Provider
Christchurch Clinical Studies Trust Ltd (CCSTj
Pharmacokenetic research in Humans 32,565.35 C Open
tender
Face 2 Face Recruitment Pty Ltd Temporary Staff & Placement Fees
29,786.46 A Selective
tender
TOTAL 1,824,519-95
Reason for use
A skills currently unavailable within agency
B need for specialised or professional skills
C need for independent research or assessment
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Appendix 10 - FSANZ representation
International forums attended, including Codex/WHO/FAO
1-12 July 34th Codex Alimentarius Commission and Paul BrentSwitzerland 2011 The Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
31 July - IAFP2011 (International Association for Scott Crerar United States
3 August 2011 Food Protection)
13 August - Secondment at the World Bank to implementSonia Bradley United States 10 September the APEC FSCFA/Vorld Bank MOU and to 2011 develop a Multi-Donor Trust Fund for food
safety capacity building
5-9 September First International Workshop on the Food Janet GorstArgentina 2011 and Environmental Safety Assessment of
Genetically Modified Animals
5-9 September Hong Kong Expert Committee on Food Safety Paul Brent Hong Kong
2011 quarterly meeting
14-16 9th International Food Data Base Conference Judy United
September 2011 Cunningham Kingdom
18-27 Development of Microbiological Risk Duncan Craig Bangladesh
September 2011 Assessment Capability in Bangladesh, FAC Food Safety Project in Bangladesh (Stage 1) Michelle Robertson
16-26 October 10th International Graduate Course on Betsy Joseph The
2011 Production And Use Of Food Composition
Data In Nutrition
Netherlands
17-18 October 2011 Residues of Food Contact Materials in Food Nick Fletcher Germany
23-26 October Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society Judy Wood United States 2011 Annual Conference
1 November Taste of Tomorrow - Food Safety Forum Steve Japan
2011 McCutcheon
7-11 November Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Dietary Jan is Baines Italy 2011 Exposure Methodologies for Residues of
Veterinary Drugs (Chair)
14-18 November Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods Janine Lewis Germany 2011 for Special Dietary Uses, 33rd session
178 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
21-23 November Development of Microbiological Risk Duncan Craig Bangladesh 2011 Assessment Capability in Bangladesh, FAO
Food Safety Project in Bangladesh (Stage 2) Beatrice Dias- Wan igasekera
21-24 November Australia New Zealand Science and Paul Brent New Zealand
2011 Exposure Assessment Forum
Andrew Bartholomaeus
Judy Cunningham
Rainer Reuss
Janice Abbey
Luisa Trevisan
5-9 December FAO/WHO training course on utilising Barbara Butow New Zealand
2011 risk-based approaches in national food
control systems in the Pacific
Lorraine Belanger
11-14 December Hong Kong Expert Committee on Paul BrentHong Kong
2011 Food Safety quarterly meeting
12-16 December FAOA/VHO expert workshop on food recalls Lauren Kolstad Rome, Italy 2011 during emergencies/incidents
22-26 January ILSI Annual Scientific Session and IFBiC Andrew United States
2012 Steering Group Committee meeting Bartholomaeus
8-10 February Asia Pacific Science Policy Studies Melanie Fisher New Zealand
2012 Research Conference, New Zealand
20-24 February Food Chemical Risk Analysis Workshop Janis Baines Singapore 2012 for the Agrifood and Veterinary Authority,
Singapore
Tracy Hambridge
Mary-Lou Daizell
Matthew O *Mullane
6-7 March Hong Kong Expert Committee on Paul Brent Hong Kong
2012 Food Safety quarterly meeting
21 March EFSA-Austria-Norway Workshop on Lynda GrafFrance
2012 allergenicity assessment of genetically
modified plants
22-23 March 19th Meeting of the OECD Task Force Lynda GrafFrance
2012 for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds
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26-30 March Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food Leigh The
2012 Henderson Netherlands
6-9 May 8th International symposium on Shiga toxin Hong Jin The
2012 (verocytotoxin)-producing Escherichia coli infections (VTEC 2012) Netherlands
9-12 May 2012
Conference Prion 2012 Hong Jin The
Netherlands
3 May - 30 June
2012
Secondment with INFOSAN Barbara Butow Switzerland
14-17 May 2012
Codex Committee on Food Labelling Jane Allen Canada
4-15 June 2012
Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN) Risk Analysis training program Gillian Duffy United States
5-8 June 2012
Hong Kong Expert Committee on Food Safety quarterly meeting
Paul Brent Hong Kong
9-13 June 2012
Global Food Safety Partnership Key Stakeholders meeting Paul BrentUnited States
5-14 June 76th Meeting of the Joint FAOA/VHO Expert Utz Mueller Switzerland
2012 Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
Barry Fields
26-28 June Developing National Food Safety Emergency Paul Brent Bangkok,
2012 Response Plans - Sharing Experiences and
Lessons Learnt
Thailand
26-29 June 2012
ILSI Seminars on Science and Regulatory Perspectives on Stacked Events in Genetically Modified Crops
Janet GorstKorea, Taiwan
29-30 June 2012
35th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission Paul BrentItaly
180 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Speaking engagements
6 July Riddet Institute workshop Leigh Regulatory management of
2011 on nanotechnology Henderson nanotechnologies applied
(Palmerston North) to food
9 August Public Health Agency of Scott Crerar FSANZ microbiology
2011 Canada (Guelph, Canada) risk assessment and risk
management approaches
11 July 44th AIFST conference Janis Baines The Australian Health
2011 Survey - relevance to
food regulation
25 July ABS Internal staff training Janis Baines Output strategy for the
2011 session Australian Health Survey -
FSANZ response
11 AugustEffective Product Recall Steve Food recalls in Australia
2011 Systems and Consumer
Safety Conference
McCutcheon
17 AugustLegalwise Seminar Jenny Hazelton Deciphering the Food
2011 (Melbourne) Standards Code for labelling
24 AugustFSANZ Seminar Melanie Fisher Food regulation: the role
2011
Canberra
of science in evidence based policy
September University of Canberra, Public Melanie Fisher Food regulation: the role of 2011 Policy Post Graduate Class science in evidence based
policy
6 September CSIRO Biotechnology Course Lynda GrafPanel discussion on the 2011 regulation of GM foods
14 September ILSI fats symposium Janis Baines Australian Health Survey -
2011 updating fatty acid values
for the food composition database
15 September ARCS Conference Steve FSANZ as a bi-national
2011 McCutcheon agency
26 September Securing Global Food Safety Steve Defining the boundaries of
2011 . Conference McCutcheon responsibility for food safety
- A regulator *s perspective
10 October Australian Beverage Council Glenn Stannley Role of FSANZ, food 2011 labelling, additives and
emerged issues.
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11 October I LSI SEAR Australasia Michelle Gosse Use of consumer behaviour
2011 symposium on public health by FSANZ for predicting
promotion and consumer likely effects of food labelling
behaviour: the role of food labelling
changes
17 October 10th International Graduate Betsy Joseph Food composition in 2011 Course on Production And
Use Of Food Composition Data In Nutrition
Australia
(Wageningen, Netherlands)
18 October Rotary Club of Tuggeranong - Judy How do we know what
2011 monthly meeting Cunningham Australians eat?
21 October Seminar: Office of the Gene Janet GorstFirst international workshop 2011 Technology Regulator on the food and environmental
safety assessment of genetically modified animals, Buenos Aires, 5-9 September 2011
4 November Scientific Meeting of the Duncan Craig New issues with Salmonella 2011 Australian Veterinary Poultry
Association (Melbourne)
9-10 Food Regulations and Steve Crossley Australia *s food recall
November Labelling Standards and incident system
2011 Conference (Sydney)
15 November Rotary Club of Tuggeranong - Lynda Graf The regulation of genetically 2011 monthly meeting modified food in Australia
22-24 APEC Scientific Seminar - Jason March Cost benefit analysis and
November Workshop on Food Safety food regulation
2011 Risk-Benefit Analysis
2 December Plant and Food symposium Leigh Food legislation and food
2011 on natural colours (Auckland,Henderson additive approval in Australia New Zealand) and NZ
8-10 February Asia Pacific Science Policy Melanie Fisher Food regulation: the role of 2012 Studies Research Conference,science in evidence based New Zealand policy
20-24 Food Chemical Risk Analysis Matthew 6 lectures and 4 tutorial/
February Workshop, Singapore - O *Mullane practical sessions
2012 a FSANZ workshop for the covering hazard and
Singapore Agri-Food and risk characterisation
Veterinary Authority and assessment
182 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
22 March ILSI SEAR Australasia Hazel Fowler Consumer response
2012 symposium on health benefits
for polyphenol-rich foods and beverages: latest science
to polyphenols
23 March Australian Building Code Melanie Fisher Stakeholder engagement
2012 Board, Canberra
8 May 8th International symposium Hong Jin Trends and features of VTEC
2012 on Shiga toxin (verocytotoxin) infections notified to the
- producing Escherichia coli Australian national notifiable
infections (VTEC 2012) disease surveillance systems
between 2001 and 2010
8 May Seminar: Office of the Gene Lynda Graf Report of the EFSA
2012 Technology Regulator Workshop on the
Allergenicity Assessment of GM foods.
9 May AIFST Hot Topics Seminar Renee The development of FSANZ
2012 on the Dietary Guidelines Sobolewski reference database NUTTAB
and FSANZ NUTTAB2010
16 May DAA seminar: updates on Janis Baines Australian Health Survey
2012 developments in Federal
nutrition policy
25 May Canadian Nutrition Society Jane Allen Glycaemic index claims
2012 2012
29 May Contech 2012 Nick Fletcher Regulation of
2012 nanotechnologies in food in
Australia and New Zealand
12 June ILSI SEAR Australasia/ Janine Lewis Regulating the addition
2012 Australian Academy of
Science National Committee for Nutrition symposium on Vitamin D in the food supply
of vitamin D to food
19-20 June Food Safety Management Steve Crossley Food safety legislation 2012 Conference 2012,
United Kingdom
in Australia
27-28 June Developing National Food Paul BrentManagement of Food Safety 2012 Safety Emergency Response
Plans - Sharing Experiences and Lessons Learnt
Emergencies
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Appendix 11 - FSANZ Board members, qualifications and experience attendance,
Table 1. Board attendance
Ms Philippa Smith AM (Chair) 4/4 5/5
Dr Michele Allan 4/4 5/5
Professor Katrine Baghurst 4/4 4/5
Mr Peter Boyden 3/4 5/5
Associate Professor Stephen Corbett2/4 5/5
Ms Jenni Mack 3/4 5/5
Mr Steve McCutcheon (CEO) 4/4 5/5
Dr Andrew McKenzie QSO3/4 5/5
Dr James (Gardner) Murray AO 4/4 4/5
Mr Tony Nowell CNZM 3/4 5/5
Dr Dave Roberts 4/4 4/5
Mr Neil Walker JP 3/4 5/5
Observer
Dr Anne Astin / Mr Stan Goodchild (alternate) 0/4 5/5
Table 2. Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee attendance
Dr Michele Allan (FARMC Chair) 4/4
Ms Philippa Smith AM (Board Chair) 4/4
Mr Peter Boyden 4/4
Dr Dave Roberts 4/4
Observers
Mr Steve McCutcheon (CEO) 4/4
Ms Audrey Gormley (Chief Finance Officer) 4/4
184 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Food Standards Australia New Zealand Board expertise and experience (2011-12)
Ms Philippa Smith AM (term expires 30/06/2016)
Ms Philippa Smith, AM [s. 116(1 )(a)] was appointed Chair of the FSANZ Board in July 2008.
Ms Smith is a former Commonwealth Ombudsman, CEO of the Association of Superannuation
Funds of Australia and the inaugural Chair of the Consumer *s Health Forum. She has
developed strong strategic skills and extensive experience in ensuring effective accountability
and governance structures across a number of portfolios.
Dr Michele Allan (term expires 30/06/2013)
Dr Michele Allan [s.116(1 )(f)] has strong leadership experience across many facets of the food
industry including a CEO position in a publicly listed food company. Her areas of expertise
include leadership, manufacturing strategy, organisational strategy, risk and insurance leadership,
food safety systems implementation, food packaging innovation and commercialisation. Dr Allan
has held senior executive positions with Amcor Limited, Bonlac Foods, Bioinformatics Centre
of Excellence Tasmania, Kraft Foods and ICI. She has held board positions in both the private
and public sectors, and is currently on the board of William Angliss Institute.
Professor Katrine Baghurst (term expires 30/06/2013)
Professor Katrine Baghurst [s.116(1 )(e)] has been involved in research and in translation of
research to practice in the nutrition field in both Australia and New Zealand over the past
30 years, notably at the CSIRO Human Nutrition Division. Her extensive experience makes her a
specialist in relation to determining food choice, consumer needs, current dietary patterns in the
community and nutritional and food education. Professor Baghurst is an Adjunct Professor in the
Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide and currently works as a nutrition consultant.
Mr Peter Boyden (term expires 30/06/2013)'
Mr Peter Boyden [s.116(1 ){g)] is an internationally experienced CEO with extensive general
management and marketing experience gained in consumer foods businesses in Australia,
United Kingdom, Netherlands and Greece. His most recent corporate role was Managing
Director and regional Board member of the Unilever Australasian foods business and a Board
member of the Australian Food and Grocery Council. He is currently a Principal at The Adelante
Group (senior executive mentoring) and Chairman of Dairy Innovation Australia Ltd. His areas of
responsibility have included the management of consumer marketing, product and packaging
development, food production and general management, where he has focused on strategy
development and portfolio management.
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Associate Professor Stephen Corbett (term expires 30/06/2015)
Associate Professor Stephen Corbett [s. 116(1 )(f)] has more than 20 years' experience as a
public and environmental health physician, with qualifications in public health and medicine.
He is a non-executive Director on the Board of the Sydney Catchment Authority. Associate
Professor Corbett is director of the Centre for Population Health at the Sydney West Area
Health Service, Conjoint Associate Professor, School of Public Health, University of Sydney
and Western Clinical School, Westmead Hospital. He works part-time as a general practitioner
at the Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney in Mt Druitt in Sydney. His interests include
environmental health risk assessment and management, regulatory policy and practice and
chronic disease prevention. He is an Associate Editor on the journal Evolution, Medicine and
Public Health (OUP).
Ms Jenni Mack (term expires 30/06/2013)
Ms Jenni Mack [s. 116(1 )(d)] has worked in consumer affairs since 1993 when she was
Executive Director of the Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations. Her work
has spanned food, chemicals, telecommunications, energy, legal and financial services
policy incorporating areas such as industry self-regulatory and co-regulatory practices,
professional standards and codes of practice. Ms Mack has worked closely with regulators
and government agencies on good regulatory science, community education, licensing,
best practice enforcement and compliance schemes, and community and social research
projects. Ms Mack is the Chair of Choice, Australia *s largest consumer organisation. She has
a BA (UQ) and Masters in Administrative Law and Policy (USyd) and a Graduate Certificate
in International Food Law and Regulation (Michigan State University).
Mr Steve McCutcheon (term expires 30/06/2017)
Mr Steve McCutcheon [s. 116(1 )(B)j was appointed CEO ot FSANZ in October 2007.
Prior to his appointment, Mr McCutcheon held a number of senior executive positions in
the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. During that
time he led the team that developed the new food regulatory framework for Australia and
New Zealand under the auspices of the Council of Australian Governments. He also led
the Australian delegation to annual sessions of the Codex Alimentarius Commission from
2004-2007. Mr McCutcheon holds a Bachelor of Economics degree and has undertaken
further studies in public law and public policy. The Chief Executive Officer of FSANZ is an
ex officio member of the Board.
186 APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Dr Andrew McKenzie QSO (term expires 30/06/2014)
Dr Andrew McKenzie [s.116(1)(c)] is qualified as a veterinarian, with post graduate
qualifications in veterinary public health, and has a background working for the (former)
New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries with a focus on the meat, seafood and
other food industries. In 2002 Dr McKenzie set up the New Zealand Food Safety Authority
and led it until his retirement in June 2010. He has extensive experience in domestic food
safety policy and standards, as well as international food safety and trade standards at the
bilateral and multilateral level. Dr McKenzie has a continuing interest in management and
governance, as well as contemporary regulatory approaches to food safety / quality and
trade, particularly around standard-setting.
Dr James (Gardner) Murray AO (term expires 30/06/2013)
Dr Gardner Murray [s.116(1 )(f)] has extensive experience in food safety and veterinary
science. He holds numerous high level positions including Non-Executive Governing Board
Member at the Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre for Emerging Infectious
Diseases, and special adviser to the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE). Dr Murray has
extensive experience in the field of agricultural food safety and standards, zoonoses and
emerging threats.
Mr Tony Nowell CNZM (term expires 30/06/2013)
Mr Tony Nowell [s.116(1 A)] has had extensive senior executive experience across various
industries (including food) both internationally and within New Zealand. This has included
holding positions such as CEO of Zespri International; Managing Director of Griffin *s Foods;
Regional Vice President of Sara Lee Asia; Zone Manager for Sara Lee Indonesia, Philippines
and Thailand; Managing Director of Sara Lee Indonesia; Managing Director of L *Oreal
Indonesia; and Operations Manager of L *Oreai New Zealand. Mr Nowell *s other roles and
responsibilities have included being the former Chair of the New Zealand Packaging Accord
Governing Board and the New Zealand Government Food and Beverage Taskforce; and
include Chairmanship of the New Zealand Forest Research Institute and Wellington Drive
Technologies, as well as directorships at New Zealand Food Innovation Auckland and the
Export Advisory Board of Business New Zealand. Mr Nowell has represented New Zealand
as a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council since 2007.
APPENDIXES 187
CHAPTER 5
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FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
188
Dr David Roberts (term expires 30.06.2013)
Dr David Roberts [s.116(1 )(g)] is a food and nutrition consultant who is currently President of
I LSI Australasia country committee of I LSI South East Asia Region, scientific advisor to the
Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council and an associate editor of the journal, Public Health
Nutrition. He was Deputy CEO and scientific and technical Director of the Australian Food
and Grocery Council for 5 years until October 2007. Prior to that, he held the Foundation
Chair in Nutrition and Dietetics (established 1991) at the University of Newcastle for 10 years.
He was at Sydney University for 12 years teaching and researching in nutritional biochemistry.
Dr Roberts is a former Chair of the Federation of Australasian Nutrition Organisations,
former President of the Nutrition Society of Australia (3 years), former Chair of the NSW
Branch of AIFST (1 year), former Chair of the inaugural Complementary Medicines Evaluation
Committee of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (4 years) and was on the Editorial Board
of the British Nutrition Foundation (many years).
Mr Neil Walker JP (term expires 2014)
Mr Neil Walker [s.116(1)(ca)] is a food scientist with 35 years experience in the dairy industry.
He is a fellow of the Institute of Chemistry and the New Zealand Institute of Food Science
and Technology. He held senior executive roles in Fonterra until 2007. Mr Walker has been
a 5th term Taranaki Regional Councillor and Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee
since 2001 and also chairs the independent Taranaki Waste Management Authority. He is
an accredited hearings Commissioner under the New Zealand Resource Management Act,
and a JP in court. Mr Walker *s private interests include Chair of a Taranaki dairy farm-owning
trust, Chair of Nukuhau Carbon Ltd (which holds extensive forestry interests), and Chair
of Manuka Research Partnership (New Zealand) Ltd. He is a Chair, Trustee or committee
member of a number of private trusts and organisations, and national, community,
charitable and family entities.
Note: The reference after each member *s name refers to the role specified in section 40 of
the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 which the member fulfils. All members,
with the exception of the CEO of FSANZ, are part-time. Members are listed alphabetically
after the Chairman.
APPENDIXES
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Appendix 12 - FSANZ Strategy Map 2009-12
A SAFE FOOD SUPPLY WHICH SUPPORTS THE HEALTH OF PEOPLE
IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
Ready acceptance of standards by jurisdictions
& industry
Easier implementation by jurisdictions & industry
Standards that are useful to consumers (understandable and beneficial)
%†
Professional and constructive relationships with all stakeholders
A strong sense of engagement with FSANZ amongst stakeholders
A positive culture in FSANZ where staff feel motivated in their work, are valued and respected
REGULATORY STAKEHOLDER PEOPLE & ACCOUNTABILITY
STANDARDSRELATIONSHIPSORGANISATIONAL Complying
Enhancing Building stronger CAPABILITY with relevant
the quality stakeholder Continuing to governance and
of regulatory relationships strengthen the accountability
standards capability & requirements
capacity of FSANZ
l *® +
" Clear, easy to * Shared " Increased * Maintain a
understand understanding of efficiency of our culture of
standards FSANZ's role organisational excellent
" Standards " FSANZ processes governance
soundly based reputation for " An enhanced " Ensuring
on evidence being proactive reputation for appropriate
" Standards and alert being a safe,.systems are
that anticipate " Credibility and professionally in place and innovation trust in FSANZ rewarding and checked
and new productive regularly
technologies workplace
Strategic Imperatives
Objectives
Total compliance with legislative and reporting requirements Government confidence in
FSANZ ability to manage its work and resources
Outcomes
4!"
Consistency in our work through transparency, proactive and inclusive relationships with everyone we engage with
A complete version of FSANZ Corporate Plan 2009-12 is available on our website www.foodstandards.gov.au
APPENDIXES 189
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Acronyms and abbreviations
ACCC Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
ADI Acceptable daily intake
AFGC Australian Food and Grocery Council
ANAO Australian National Audit Office
ANZFRMC Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council
APEC Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Forum)
APS Australian Public Service
APVMA Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
ATDS Australian Total Diet Study
AusAID Australian Agency for International Development
ATO Australian Taxation Office
CCCF Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food
CCFA Codex Committee on Food Additives
CCFH Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
CCFL Codex Committee on Food Labelling
CCFICS Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection Certification Systems
CCNFSDU Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses
COAG Council of Australian Governments
Codex Codex Alimentarius Commission and its committees
DAFF Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
EEC Equal Employment Opportunity
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
FDA United States Food and Drug Administration
FOI Freedom of Information
FRSC Food Regulation Standing Committee
FSANZ Food Standards Australia New Zealand
FSANZ Act Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991
190 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
GM Genetically modified
IGA Inter-Government Agreement
ILSI International Life Sciences Institute
INFOSAN International Food Safety Authorities Network
ISC Implementation Sub-Committee
MPI Ministry for Primary Industries (New Zealand)
MoU Memorandum of Understanding
MRL Maximum residue limit
NHMRC National Health and Medical Research Council
NICNAS National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme
NUTTAB Nutrient tables for use in Australia (publication)
OBPR Office of Best Practice Regulation
OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
OGTR Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
OH&S Occupational health and safety
PMD Performance management and development initiative (FSANZ)
QUADS Food Safety Quadrilateral meetings, involving Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States
SCSC APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance
SDC Standard Development Committee (FSANZ)
SES Senior Executive Service
TGA Therapeutic Goods Administration
USFDA United States Food and Drug Administration
WHO World Health Organization
WTO World Trade Organization
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 191
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Index
A AAT see Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) Abbey, Dr Janice, 80
abbreviations, 190-191 academic institutions engagement with, 59 Acceptable Daily Intakes (ADIs), 53 access to documents, 95-96 accidents, 86 accommodation, office, 102 accountability, 92-102
corporate governance arrangements, 96-102 highlights, 92 objectives, 92 outcomes, 92 role and priorities, 94-96 strategic imperative, 92 acronyms and abbreviations, 190-191 added colours in foods
survey of, 53 Addition of Caffeine to Foods policy guideline, 49 addition of substances to food, 41 additional work requested by Ministerial Council, 37 administration documents, 172 administrative and judicial reviews of FSANZ
decisions, 37, 38 Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), 38 review of decision re conjugated linoleic acid triglycerides, 37 administrative assessment of applications, 116 Administrative Decisions Judicial Review Act 1975
(Cth), 38
Advanced Analytical Australia, 51 advantame, 41 advisory and liaison committees, 66-67
Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling, 47 Advisory Committee on Novel Foods, 50, 67 members, 120 ageing workforce, 85
*agency health' assessment of, 78 Agents ofFoodborne Illness, 73 agreements
documents, 172 Enterprise Agreement, 84, 86 agricultural and veterinary chemicals, 56 Allan, Dr Michele, 99, 184, 185
allergen collaboration Allergen Collaboration (advisory committee), 67, 120-121 regulatory management of allergens, 68-69 allergens in food see food allergens; undeclared
allergens in food allergic reactions, 48 amendments to FSANZ Application Handbook, 29, 51 Analysis of Food-Related Health Risks, 55
analytical laboratories FSANZ panel of, 51 anaphylactic reactions, 48 APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum (FSCF), 62 APEC FSCF Food Safety Incident Network (FSIN), 62 apple juice
survey of arsenic in, 54 Application Handbook amendments to, 29 information for making applications, 115, 116
on nanotechnology, 51 applications approval, 118
guidelines on how to make an application, 29,115 procedures, 31-35,116 processes for assessing, 115-119 reasons for delays in consideration of, 33-34
see also applications received and proposals prepared applications and proposals to change Food Standards Code, 38-40
addition of substances to food, 41 food for special medical purposes, 39-40 gazetted 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012, 29, 104-106
genetically modified foods, 38-39 low THC hemp, 14, 40 published on website, 71 applications received and proposals prepared before 1 October 2007, 29, 30, 107-108 from 1 October 2007 onwards, 29, 31, 109-114 accepted onto Work Plan, 32 delays in consideration of, 33-34 finalised, 32 appointments to staff, 83 approval of draft standard or variation, 118 approved food standards ministerial consideration of, 119 apricot kernels, 47 APS Integrated Leadership System, 77 ARC Linkage Project, 57, 59 arsenic in apple juice, 53-54 in seaweed and seaweed-containing products, 54
192 INDEX
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Asia-Pacific region capacity building activities, 62 Food Chemical Risk Analysis workshop, 70 assessment of applications and proposals
procedures, 31-35, 116 processes for assessing applications and proposals, 115-119 purpose of, 117-118 attendance at Board meetings, 184 attendance at Finance, Audit and Risk Management
Committee meetings, 184 audits see internal and external scrutiny Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council, 95, 119
additional work requested by, 37 consideration of approved food standards, 119 policy guidelines, 37 requests for reviews, 36, 41 Australia Day Achievement Medallion, 88 Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, 27,
28, 66
Code Interpretation Service (CIS), 66, 70-71,79 enquiries about, 74 gazetted amendments to, 29, 104-106
hard copy, 165 legislative audit, 50 publication on website of applications and proposals to amend, 71
see also applications and proposals to change Food Standards Code The Australian, 118, 119 Australian Archives Act, 79 Australian Bureau of Statistics and National Nutrition
and Physical Activity Survey, 69 Australian Cancer Research Council, 80 Australian Children *s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2007, 56 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
(ACCC), 48
Australian Consumer Law, 48 Australian Food and Grocery Council and industry site visits, 65 Australian Food Safety Week, 74 Australian Government and Parliament, contact with,
96
Australian Health Survey (APIS), 69 Australian Institute of Company Directors, 100 Australian National University ARC Linkage Project, 57
Australian National University National Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health (NCEPH) foodborne illness project, 57
Australian Nutrient Databank, 172 Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) amendments to Food Standards Code, 106
dietary exposure assessments, 56 Australian Public Service Commission, 78, 87 Australian Public Service Innovation Action Plan, 77 Australian Red Cross, 80 Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project,
57, 59
Australian states and territories and FSANZ food standards, 95 Australian Total Diet Study food sun/ey, 52
report in Food Standards News, 73
B bacteriophage preparation for control of Listeria, 41 Baghurst, Professor Katrine, 184, 185 Bartholomaeus, Dr Andrew, 15, 90 Bee Products Standards Council in New Zealand, 45 beef and beef product imports
certification measures for importation of, 69 see also bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) behavioural aspects of proposed changes to food standards, 59-60 Berven, Dr Leise, 80, 88 Best Practice Regulation Guide, 60 Best Practice Regulation Report 20*ä 7-72, 60
Board (FSANZ), 98-100 insurance for members, 101 members, 184-188 bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)
consultations re, 69 safety assessment, 45 Boyden, Peter, 184, 185 bread and bread-making flour
fortification of, 44 Brent, Dr Paul, 90 briefing notes, 97 briefs, submissions and reports
documents, 172 BSE see bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) Buckle, Professor Ken, 58 bullying and harassment
complaints, 87 business continuity management, 101-102 Business Continuity Plan (BCP), 102 Business Plan, 100
INDEX 193
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
194
c caffeine in foods, 49-50 Caffeine Working Group, 50 calcium lignosulphonate, 41 campaigns
education, 28 public awareness, 74 recruitment, 68 Campylobacter infections in humans, 57 Canberra - Wellington link, 79 Cannabis sativa, 40 canola potential source of GM food, 38 capacity building activities in Asia-Pacific region, 62 Cary, Professor John, 58 case studies FSANZ *s risk assessment process at work
(GM foods), 39
Stakeholder engagement on low THC hemp, 70 cassava chips, 54 categories of documents held, 172-174 CEO's Half-Yearly Award, 88 Certificate of Compliance, 19 certification measures
for importation of beef and beef products, 69 Chair of FSANZ Board, 16, 18 Chair *s Annual Development Award, 88 chemicals
exposure to, 52 in food, 56 risk analysis, 61 Chief Executive Instructions, 100, 102 Chief Executive Officer, 15, 18, 88, 89, 98 review by, 12-16 Chief Scientist, 89 citizen involvement, 66-68 classification levels of staff, 85 COAG see Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Cobiac, Professor Lyn, 58 the Code see Australia New Zealand Food
Standards Code
Code Interpretation Service (CIS), 70-71,79 for industry and government agencies, 66 Codex Alimentarius risk analysis framework, 70 Codex Alimentarius Commission, 60-61 coffee products
undeclared drugs in, 46 Cognis GmbH via Axiome Pty Ltd, 37 collaborative projects, 68-71 colours added to foods
survey of, 53 Comcare, 86 commercial information, confidential, 71
INDEX
committee members external to FSANZ, 120-129 Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 compliance with, 8, 93, 99 Commonwealth Authorities and Companies
(Report of Operations) Orders 2011,93 communication, 71-74 Canberra - Wellington link, 79 consumer and industry information service, 66
Staff Forum, 80 see also publications community awareness of Food Standards Code, 66 community health and safety
main priority, 65 companion dogs in outdoor dining areas, 44-45 competitive tendering see consultants, competitive
tendering and contractors compliance index, 10-11 confidential commercial information, 71 conjugated linoleic acid triglycerides (CLA)
review of decision on, 37 consultants, competitive tendering and contractors, 102,175-177 consumer advice see industry and consumer advice consumer and industry information sen/ice, 66 Consumer and Public Health Dialogue, 65, 67
members, 121 consumer and social sciences research, 59-60 Consumer Liaison Committee, 67, 68
members, 122 consumer publications, 73 contact information, 2, 9 freedom of information, 173 contaminants in food
monitoring of, 61-62 contractors see consultants, competitive tendering and contractors Corbett, Associate Professor Stephen, 184, 186 corn
potential source of GM food, 38 review of decision on, 37 corporate governance, 38, 96-102 corporate overview, 17-20 Corporate Plan, 93, 100 cost-benefit analysis assessment process, 115 food-borne illness, 56 cotton potential source of GM food, 38 Council of Australian Governments (COAG)
Best Practice Regulation Guide, 60 deregulation agenda, 28 Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation, 28, 36, 37, 95, 119
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
country of origin food labelling, 36, 42, 60 criteria for requesting reviews of FSANZ decisions, 36 Croatia in-country verification visits (BSE), 45
A Current Affair, 74 cyanide poisoning, 47, 54 cyanogenic glycosides in plant-based foods, 54
D DAFF Biosecurity, 53, 69 data storage system (Harvest), 55, 56 databases
nutrient databases, 55, 172 to support information and processing needs, 172 decisions made by FSANZ see FSANZ decisions delays in consideration of applications and proposals
reasons for, 33-34 deliverables qualitative deliverables, 22 quantitative deliverables, 23 Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
(DAFF)
collaboration with re beef imports, 69 Imported Food Program, 45-46 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade collaboration with re beef imports, 69 Department of Health (SA)
and Australian Research Council Linkage Project, 59 Department of Health and Ageing and changes to sodium levels in foods, 69
and Consumer and Public Health Dialogue, 65, 67, 121 and Employee Assistance Program, 86 and food-borne illnesses in Australia, 56-57 input into ministerial correspondence, 96-97 input into parliamentary questions on notice, 97 Outcome 1 *Population Health: Program 1.1,21 and sports supplements containing DMAA, 47
see also Minister for Health and Ageing Deputy Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Food Standards (Canberra) Branch, 89 deregulation, 28 DIAMOND (dietary modelling software), 172 dibromo-dimethylhydantoin, 56 dietary data
Australian Nutrient Databank, 172 international requests for, 56 dietary exposure assessments, 56 dietary modelling software (DIAMOND), 172 dimethoate residues in imported food, 46
disability, employees with, 83 disaster recovery, 79 Disaster Recovery Plan (ICT), 102 diversity in workforce, 83-84, 88
DMAA sports supplements containing, 47 document management system, 79 documents see categories of documents held Duffy, Gillian, 80
E eBay, 46 E.coli outbreak in Europe, 61
in ready to eat nuts and nut products, 52 Economic and Social Science Forum on food regulation, 60 economic models
regulatory analysis, 60 education campaigns non-reguiatory interventions, 28 electronic Food Recall System, 47 electronic media see print and electronic media email alerts, 117, 118, 119 emerging issues
emerging and ongoing issues framework, 51 food packaging, 51 international liaison, 61 nanotechnology, 51
newsletter, 73 Employee Assistance Program, 86 employees with disability, 83 employment environment, 86-88 employment profile, FSANZ, 82-85 enabling legislation, 18 enteric viruses in food, 61 Enterprise Agreement, 84, 86 Eros Association, 46 evidence base
accessing external expertise, 57-59 consumer and social sciences research, 59-60 international networks, 60-62 regulatory analysis, 60
relationships in Asia-Pacific region, 62 science evidence base, 28, 55-57 strengthening of, 55-62 Executive, 89-90 external expertise, 57-59 external FSANZ committee members, 120-129 external scrutiny see internal and external scrutiny Eyres, Dr Laurence, 58
INDEX 195
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
196
F Facebook, 48, 66, 72 Fact sheets updated/new 2011-12, 168-169 'fat free * claims, 13, 41 Federal Court, 37, 38 Federal Register of Legislative Instruments, 104, 106 Fedlink accreditation, 79 feedback from consumers, food industry and
regulatory partners, 94 Fellows Program see FSANZ Fellows Program female employees, 83, 84 files maintained, 173 finance
finance documents, 172 financial outcome, 19 financial statements, 130-161 funding, 18 summary of financial performance, 20 Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee
(FARMC), 93, 99-100 members and attendance, 184 finance documents, 172 financial outcome, 19 financial performance
summary, 20 financial statements, 130-161 Fisher, Melanie, 90 flexible working arrangements, 84, 86
Flinders University, 59 folic acid in bread, 44 food additives, 41 interpretive advice on, 70-71
safety of, 73 food allergens recalls, 48, 49 see also undeclared allergens in food
Food Allergy and Intolerance Scientific Advisory Committee, 67 members, 122 Food and Agriculture Organization, 56 Food and Agriculture Organization / World Health
Organization Expert Committee, 53 Food and Health Dialogue, Australian Government, 69 Food Chemical Risk Analysis Workshop, 70 food-derived substances
three groups, 50 food for special medical purposes (FSMR) applications and proposals to change Food Standards Code, 39-40
gazetted measures, 14
food hazards monitoring of, 52-54 food incidents, 46-47 mandatory reporting of, 48
melamine contamination in milk, 51 National Food Incident Response Protocol, 46 see also food recalls food labelling country of origin, 36, 42, 60 media enquiries on, 73 nutrition and health claims, 41 raised in ministerial correspondence and Senate
Estimates, 97
review of Food Labelling Law and Policy, 41 for special medical purposes, 39 food packaging, 51-52, 73 migration of chemicals to food from, 61,72
nanotechnologies used in, 51 food poisoning, 48 food production and processing businesses visits to, 65 food recalls, 28
food recall report, 172 ICT-based system, 79 improvements to recall processes, 47-48 mandatory reporting, 48 statistics 2011-12, 48-49 food reformulation activities, 69 food regulation
whole-of-government approach, 37 Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC), 50, 95 food regulatory activity and services Program 1.1,21
summary, 29-38 food regulatory system, 18 food-related health risks, 55 food safety, 27-28, 44-45
development of policy and legislation, 56 incident preparedness and response and recovery mechanisms, Asia-Pacific region, 62
international liaison groups, 61 for primary industries, 14 priority for APEC, 62 see also risk management Food Safety Information Council, 74 food standards
community awareness of, 66 interpretive guidance on, 70-71 for primary industries, 42-43 variations to, 29
see also standards development
INDEX
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) accountability, 92-102 Australian states and territories, 95 Board, 98-100,101, 184-188 corporate overview, 17-20 financial performance summary, 20 financial statements, 130-161 functions and powers, 162-164 funding, 18
mission, vision and values, 189 partnership in science projects, 56-57 people and organisational capability, 76 90 priorities and performance 2011-12, 21-24 role and priorities, 94-96 Strategy Map 2009-12, 189 structure and processes, 19 WHO Collaborating Centre for Food
Contamination Monitoring, 61-62 see also FSANZ decisions; FSANZ Fellows Program; FSANZ student projects Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991, 8,
18, 94, 162
Food Standards Branch, 89 Food Standards Code see Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code Food Standards News, 73 Food Standards Notification Circular, 117, 119 Food Surveillance Network, 67, 73
members, 123 Food Surveillance Newsletter, 73 food surveys, 52 foodborne illnesses
estimates of burden of, 56-57 foreign matter in food recalls, 48 fortification of bread and bread-making flour, 44
Forum on Food Regulation, 13, 41, 104 framework for identifying emerging issues, 51 Fraser, Dr David, 58 freedom of information
enquiries contact, 173 requests, 95-96 Freedom of Information Act 1982, 95 French, Professor Nigel, 58 fruit and vegetables nitrates and nitrites in, 54 FSANZ decisions administrative and judicial reviews of, 37, 38 advice from advisory and liaison committees, 66 evidence base, 55-57 on food standards, 119 reviews of, 36
FSANZ Fellows Program, 57-58 Fellows 2011-12, 58 FSANZ panel of analytical laboratories, 51 FSANZ student projects, 59 functions and powers
functions, 162-163 powers, 164 funding, 18
G gastroenteritis, 48, 57 gazettal of decisions on food standards advice on, 119 Gazetted amendments to the Australia New Zealand
Food Standards Code from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012, 29 Amendment No. 124 (11 July 2011), 104 Amendment No. 125 (8 September 2011), 104 Amendment No. 126 (13 October 2011), 105 Amendment No. 127 (17 November 2011), 105 Amendment No. 128 (12 January 2012), 105 Amendment No. 129 (9 February 2012), 105 Amendment No. 130 (26 April 2012), 105 Amendment No. 131 (24 May 2012), 106 Amendment No. 132 (28 June 2012), 106 GE Free New Zealand in Food and Environment, 37 GeneEthics Pty Ltd, 37 General Manager Food Standards (Wellington)
Branch, 89
General Manager Legal and Regulatory Affairs Branch, 89 General Manager Risk Assessment Branch, 89 general procedure for assessment of applications
or proposals, 31, 116 general publications, 165-169 genetically modified (GM) foods applications and proposals for changes to Food
Standards Code, 38-39 case study of risk assessment process at work, 39 review of decision on, 37 Giles, Professor Graham, 58 Global Food Safety Partnership (GFSP), 62 GM foods see genetically modified (GM) foods Goodall, Professor Stephen, 58 Gosden, Joy, 88 governance see corporate governance Greenfield, Dr Heather, 58 Group 1 applications or proposals, 30 Group 2 applications or proposals, 30 Group 3 applications or proposals, 30 guidelines on how to make an application, 29, 115
INDEX 197
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
H harassment see bullying and harassment Harassment Contact Officers (HCOs), 87 Harvest (software platform and data storage
system), 55, 56 hazards see food hazards Hazelton, Jenny, 88 Health and Ageing portfolio, 162 health and safety
main priority, 65 occupational, 86 Health Canada, 55 health claims see nutrition and health claims health risks
food-related, 55 hemp see low THC hemp highlights
accountability, 92 people and organisational capability, 76 regulatory standards, 26-27
stakeholder relationships, 64-65 Hill Laboratories, 51 horticultural produce food standards for, 42 *hot issues * reports, 96 Humphries, Cathie, 88 Hunter New England Area Health Service
and ARC Linkage Project, 57 hydrocyanic acid (HCN), 47, 54
I ICT disaster recovery, 79 ICT security, 79 ICT Strategic Workforce Plan 2010-2013, Australian
Government, 80 ICT workforce plan, FSANZ, 80 Identifying and controlling the source of Campylobacter and Salmonella in Australia,
57
Implementation Plan 2011,55 Implementation Sub-Committee (ISC) Coordinated Food Survey Plan, 52 Implementation Sub-Committee of FRSC, 95 imported foods, 45-46
see also beef and beef product imports in-country verification visits (BSE), 45 incidents filed with Comcare, 86 incidents related to food see food incidents Indigenous Australian employees, 83 Indigenous representatives see Maori and
Indigenous representatives
Industry Advisory Group on Food Packaging, 67 members, 124 Industry Advisory Group on Packaging Materials, 51 industry and consumer advice, 74 industry information service, 66 industry site visits, 74 infant food/formula reactions, 48 information
transparency and disclosure of, 71 information and communication technology (ICT), 78-80 information and records management, 80 information portals, 66 Information Publication Scheme (Australian
Government), 71 information services consumer and industry information service, 66 FSANZ information service, 74
information for the community, 71-73 injuries, 86 Innovation Action Plan, 77 innovation and reform function, 77, 81
Innovation Practice Group, 77 inorganic arsenic in seaweed and seaweed- containing products survey of, 54 Institute of Environmental Science and Research
(ESR), 51
insurance Board members, 101 Inter-Governmental Food Regulation Agreement 2008, 36 internal and external scrutiny, 38
information and records management, 80 internal audits, 93, 99, 102 legislative audit of the Code, 50 International Food Chemical Safety Liaison Group
(IFCSLG), 61
International Food Risk Analysis Journal, 51,55 international forums attended, including Codex/ WHO/FAO, 178-180 international networks, 60-62 interpretive guidance on food standards, 70-71 Intra Government Communications Network (ICON),
79
iodine levels in seaweed and seaweed-containing products food survey, 52, 53 iodised salt in bread, 44 irradiation of persimmons, 37
198 INDEX
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
J Japan foods imported from, 46 job satisfaction, 81 judicial reviews see administrative and judicial reviews
Jurisdictional Forum, 67 members, 124-125
K Keegan, Peter, 88 key performance indicators qualitative, 23-24
quantitative, 24 King, Senator the Hon. Catherine, 12, 18, 96, 162
L laboratories FSANZ panel of analytical laboratories, 51 Langridge, Professor Peter, 58
Latvia in-country verification visits (BSE), 45 learning and development see staff learning and development legislation
Administrative Decisions Judicial Review Act 1975 (Cth), 38 Australian Archives Act, 79 Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act
1997, 8, 93, 99
Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991, 8, 18,94 Freedom of Information Act 1982, 95 Work Health and Safety Act 2011, 86 Legislative and Governance Forum on Food
Regulation, 28, 36, 37,95,119 legislative audit of Food Standards Code, 50 legislative delegations, 100 legislative instrument, 119 legislative responsibilities, 18 letter of transmittal, 3 liability insurance
Board members, 101 liaison committees see advisory and liaison committees Listeria monocytogenes
control of in ready-to-eat foods, 41 microbiological criteria for in ready-to-eat foods, 40 Lithuania in-country verification visits (BSE), 45 location of staff, 82
low THC hemp applications and proposals to change Food Standards Code, 14, 40 case study of stakeholder engagement on, 70 lucerne
potential source of GM food, 38
M Mack, Jenni, 184, 186 mailing lists, 173 major procedure for assessment of applications and
proposals, 32, 116 male employees, 84 mandatory reporting of consumer product-related
incidents, 48
Maori and Indigenous representatives on Consumer Liaison Committee, 68 Maori Network, 68 maps and plans, 173 Mars Foods
visit to, 74 May, Peter, 90 McCain visit to, 74 McCutcheon, Steve, 18, 89, 99, 184, 186
see also Chief Executive Officer McKenzie, Dr Andrew, 184, 187 meat and meat products food standards for, 43
unpackaged meats, 42 see also beef and beef product imports media enquiries, 73 media releases, 66, 117, 118, 174 Meier, Dave, 88 melamine contamination in milk, 51 memorandum of understanding
APEC, FSCF and World Bank, 62 wit Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, 46 microbial contamination of food recalls, 48 microbial safety of food
international liaison groups, 61 microbiological limits in food, 40 milk and milk products
contamination of, 51 milk products (raw) food standards for, 43 Minister for Health and Ageing and Board, 98 ministerial consideration of approved food
standards, 119
INDEX199
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
ministerial correspondence, 96-97 Ministerial Council see Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council Ministry for Primary Industries (NZ), 45, 95 minor meat species
definition of, 43 minor procedure for assessment of applications and proposals, 31, 116 minutes, 97 mission, 189 Monitoring of Emerging Issues Newsletter, 73
Murray, Dr James (Gardner), 184, 187
N nanotechnology, 51 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, 69 National Archives of Australia (NAA), 80 National Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health
(NCEPH), Australian National University, 57 National Enabling Technologies Strategy, 51 National Food Authority, 28, 95 National Food Incident Response Protocol, 46 National Measurement Institute, 51 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, 69 national nutrition survey, 56, 69 The Netherlands
in-country verification visits (BSE), 45 network security, 79 New South Wales Food Authority ARC Linkage Project, 57
foodborne illness project, 57 undeclared drugs in coffee products, 46 New Zealand assessment for BSE, 45 The New Zealand Herald, 118,119 New Zealand Minister for Food Safety, 12 Nga Kaitohutohu Kounga Kai, 67, 68
members, 125 nitrates and nitrites in fruit and vegetables, 54 non-English speaking background employees (in Australia), 83 non-ongoing employees, 82, 83, 84 Notification Circular, 117, 119
novel foods conjugated linoleic acid triglycerides (CLA), 37 definition of, 50 see also Advisory Committee on Novel Foods Nowell, Tony, 187 nutrient and portion size data
Australian Health Survey, 69
nutrient composition of foods Australian Nutrient Databank, 172 Nutrition Panel Calculator (NPC), 72 reference database NUTTAB, 55 nutrition and health claims, 41 nutrition database, 55
Nutrition Panel Calculator (NPC), 72 nutritive substances definition of, 50 nuts and nut products
food survey, 52 NUTTAB, 55
o objectives, 189 accountability, 92 people and organisational capability, 76
program objectives, 21, 101 regulatory standards, 26 stakeholder relationships, 64 occupational health and safety, 86 Occupational Health and Safety Committee, 86 office accommodation, 102 Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) implementation of deregulation agenda, 28 and regulatory analysis, 60 Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing (OLDP) audit of Food Standards Code, 50 O *Mullane, Dr Matthew, 88 1,3-dimethylamylamine, 47 ongoing employees, 82, 83 operating environment, 18 operating expenses, 19 operating revenue, 19 orange juice, imported, 46 organisational capability and capacity, 78-85 organisational capability framework, 77 organisational structure, 89-90 chart, 20 ORIMA Research, 80 Outcome 1 *Population Health Department of Health and Ageing, 21 outcomes, 21,101, 189 accountability, 92 financial outcome, 19 people and organisational capability, 76 regulatory standards, 26 stakeholder relationships, 64 outdoor dining areas and companion dogs, 44
200 INDEX
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
P packaged water see water, packaged packaging materials see food packaging Parish, Professor Chris, 80 parliamentary questions on notice, 97 Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, 12,
18, 93, 96, 162 quarterly reports to, 48 Parnell, Dr Winsome, 58 part-time employees, 83, 84 people and organisational capability, 76-90
highlights, 76 objectives, 76 outcome, 76 strategic imperative, 76 People *s Republic of China, 62 performance, 22-24, 96-98
see also financial performance; key performance indicators performance indicators see key performance indicators Performance Management and Development
Scheme, 77
performance pay, 89 Perin, Melanie, 88 persimmons review of decision on, 37 personal/carers leave, 87 personal information, 71 Pharmaceutical Society, 46 Pharmacy Guild, 46 portals
to information, 66 Portfolio Budget Statements, 21,94, 100, 101 see also deliverables; key performance indicators potato
potential source of GM food, 38 powers, 164 prawns, imported, 46 Priestly, Professor Brian, 58 primary industries
food safety measures for, 14 food standards for, 42 see also meat and meat products; raw (unpasteurised) milk products;
seed sprouts
Primary Industries and Regions SA and ARC Linkage Project, 57 primary producers, 65 Principal Social Scientist, 60 print and electronic media, 73
priorities and performance 2011-12, 21-24 procedures for assessment of applications and proposals, 31-35, 116 processes for assessing applications and proposals,
115-119
professional development see staff learning and development Program 1.1: Food regulatory activity and services, 21 program objectives, 21,101 proposals
new and old procedures, 29-31 reasons for delays in consideration of, 33-34 proposals prepared see applications received and proposals prepared
proposals to change Food Standards Code see applications and proposals to change Food Standards Code
prosciutto, imported, 46 public awareness campaigns, 74 public consultation, 40, 41,43, 50 public health, 44
see also Consumer and Public Health Dialogue Public Register of documents for applications and proposals, 173 publications
Analysis of Food-Related Health Risks, 55 consumer publications, 73 Fact sheets updated/new 2011-12, 168-169 Food Standards News, 73 Food Standards Notification Circular, 117, 119 Food Surveillance Newsletter, 73 general publications, 165-169 Monitoring of Emerging Issues Newsletter, 73 scientific publications, 170-171 pyrrolizidine alkaloids, 44-45
Q qualitative deliverables, 22 quantitative deliverables, 23 Question Time briefings, 98 questions on notice, 97
R raw (unpasteurised) milk products, 43 recalls see food recalls recruitment campaign, 68 reform function see innovation and reform function regulatory analysis, 60 regulator/ partners, 95-96
INDEX 201
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
regulatory standards, 26-62 highlights, 26-27 objectives, 26 outcomes, 26 strategic imperative, 26
rejection of draft standard or variation, 118 relationships in Asia-Pacific region, 62 reporting requirements in annual report, 10 requests under freedom of information, 95-96 research documents, 174 residues in food, 56
in imported food, 46 in packaged water, 41 Response to the Recommendations of Labelling Logic: Review of Food Labelling Law and
Policy (2011), 12 Retailers and Manufacturers Liaison Committee, 67 members, 125-126 retention of staff, 81,83 review and research documents, 174 reviews
Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, 50 Food Labelling Law and Policy, 41 of FSANZ decisions, 36 requested by Ministerial Council, 36, 41 risk assessment process, 56 rewards and recognition see staff rewards and
recognition
rice potential source of GM food, 38 risk analysis, chemicals international liaison group, 61 risk assessment
burden of foodborne illness, 56 case study of GM foods, 39 complex applications or proposals, 55 imported foods, 46 peer review of process, 56 pyrrolizidine alkaloids, 45 specialist academic input into, 65 surveillance, 52 Risk Assessment Branch, 89 risk management
corporate, 99-100 Food Standards Branch, 89 meat industry, 43 Roberts, Dr David, 184, 188 role and priorities, 94-96 RSA Citrix gateway, 79 RSPCA Cup Cake Day, 80 Rural Industries Research and Development
Corporation, 45
s safe food handling, 74 The Safe Food Institute Ltd, 37 safety see health and safety SAI Global, 165 Salminen, Professor Seppo, 58 Salmonella in ready to eat nuts and nut products
food survey, 52 Salmonella infections in humans, 57 salt see sodium/salt science evidence base, 28, 55-57 Science Strategy 2010-2015, 55 scientific publications, 170-171 scrutiny see internal and external scrutiny Seamons, Colleen, 88 seaweed and seaweed-containing products
survey of arsenic in, 54 security ICT, 79 seed sprouts
food standards for, 42 safety, 61 semi-dried tomatoes, imported, 46 Senate Estimates appearance before, 97 Senate Select Committee Inquiry into the food
processing sector, 98 senior management, 89-90 separations of staff, 83 7PM Project, 74 SharePoint environment, 79 Shepard, Professor Richard, 58 sildenafil, 46 Singapore Agrifood and Veterinary Authority, 70 Singapore Government, 70 Skeaff, Professor Murray, 58 Smith, Philippa, 16, 18, 99, 184, 185 Smith, Professor Anthony, 58 social media, 72, 74
see also Facebook; Twitter Social Science Research Unit of the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency (FSA), 60 Social Sciences Expert Advisory Group (SSEAG),
60, 67
members, 127 social sciences research see consumer and social sciences research sodium carboxymethylcellulose, 41 sodium/salt
changes to levels in foods, 69 software platform (Harvest), 55, 56 soybean potential source of GM food, 38
review of decision on, 37
202 INDEX
ANNUAL REPORT 2011-2012
SRC Ardmona visit to, 74 speaking engagements, 181-183 special medical purposes
food for, 14, 39-40 sports supplements containing DMAA, 47 sprouts see seed sprouts staff appointments, 83 staff classification levels, 85 staff experience, 84-85 Staff Forum, 80
bullying and harassment, 87 staff learning and development, 86, 87 staff location, 82 staff retention and turnover, 81,83 staff rewards and recognition, 88
reward system, 77 staff separations, 83 staff survey 2012, 14-15, 80-81 staff with disability, 83 staffing statistics, 82-85 stakeholder relationships, 64-74
communication, 71-74 highlights, 64-65 objectives, 64 outcomes, 64 stakeholders and regulatory partners, 66-71 strategic imperative, 64 survey of stakeholders, 15 Standard Development Committee for Meat and
Meat Products, 67 members, 128-129 Standard Development Committee for Raw Milk Products, 67
members, 127-128 Standards Australia definition of minor meat species, 43 standards development, 38-43
improving outcomes, 49-52 standards development Work Plan, 29-31 Standards Management Officer, 115, 116 State of the Service Report 2010-11, 82
Statement of Expectations, 93 Statement of Intent, 93 Statement of Interests Board members, 101
steviol glycosides amending existing provisions, 41 Stockwell, Dean, 90 strategic imperatives, 189
accountability, 92 people and organisational capability, 76 regulatory standards, 26 stakeholder relationships, 64
Strategic Internal Audit Plan., 99 Strategy Map 2009-12, 94, 189 structure and processes, 19 student projects,-59 sugarbeet
potential source of GM food, 38 sulphite levels in sausages, cordial and dried fruit food survey, 52, 53 Sunrise, 74 surveillance
international liaison groups, 61 surveys timely publication of survey work, 73 sustainable development, 82 Symbio Alliance, 51
T Tamplin, Professor Mark, 58 Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services
and ARC Linkage Project, 57 teleconferences, 99 Therapeutic Goods Administration
dietary supplements data held by, 69 testing of imported coffee products, 46 thiamine in bread, 44 timeframes for consideration of applications and
proposals, 33
Today Tonight, 74 training for Board members, 100 transparency and disclosure of information, 71 treaty between Australia and New Zealand, 95 Tritscher, Dr Angelika, 56 turnover of staff, 83 Twitter, 48, 66, 72
u undeclared allergens in food recalls, 48, 49 undeclared drugs in coffee products, 46 Unilever
visit to, 74 University of Canberra student projects and FSANZ, 59 University of New South Wales
student projects and FSANZ, 59 University of South Australia student projects and FSANZ, 59 unpackaged meats, 42 unpasteurised milk products, 43 urgent applications or proposals, 32
INDEX 203
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
V values, 189 Vanuatu in-country verification visits (BSE), 45
variations to food standards gazetted 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012, 29, 104-106 vegetables
nitrates and nitrites in, 54 Verizon, 79 veterinary chemicals see agricultural and veterinary chemicals vision, 189 visits
in-country verification visits, 45 to industry sites, 65, 74
w Walker, Neil, 184, 188 water, packaged residues in, 41 website, 66, 71, 74
Board matters, 99, 101 frequently asked questions, 48 information on applications, 64, 115
media releases, 174 Nutrition Panel Calculator (NPC), 72 publications, 73, 165-171 recruitment campaign, 68 statements of expectation and intent, 93 Wellington office
relocation, 102 telecommunication link with Canberra, 77, 79 wellness program, 87 Western Pacific Regional Office of WHO (WPRO), 62 WHO Collaborating Centre for Food Contamination
Monitoring, 61-62 whole-of-government approach food incidents, 46 food regulation, 37
sustainable development, 82 Wilkinson, Kate, 12 Williams, Dr Peter, 58 Women *s Day, 74
Work Health and Safety Act 2011, 86 Work Plan see standards development Work Plan workforce diversity, 83-84, 88 workforce experience, 84-85 workforce planning, 77 workplace agreement, 84, 86 Workplace Diversity Strategy, 88
workplace harassment and bullying, 87 Workplace Wellness Program, 87 World Bank, 62 World Health Organization
Coordinator of Unit on Risk Assessment and Management 56 WPRO, FAO, OIE, ASEAN and APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum, 62
204 INDEX
*.
AUSTRALIA
Boeing House 55 Blackall Street BARTON ACT 2600
PO Box 7186
Canberra BC ACT 2610 Australia
P +61 2 6271 2222
F +61 2 6271 2278
E info@foodstandards.gov.au
NEW ZEALAND
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PO Box 10559, The Terrace Wellington 6143 New Zealand
P +64 4 978 5630
F +64 4 473 9855
E info@foodstandards.govt.nz
