Skip to main content

Review of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991

Have your say

This consultation is run by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

The Review of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (FSANZ Act) is a comprehensive examination of the effectiveness of the Act and the associated operations and responsibilities of Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care is leading the review of the FSANZ Act.

FSANZ is the independent agency responsible for developing and administering standards within the Food Standards Code for both Australia and New Zealand.

This consultation seeks feedback on the early assessment impact analysis, which outlines a series of reform components to be considered as part of the FSANZ Act review. The reform components are grouped under 4 themes:

  • purpose and objectives of FSANZ
  • reforming standard-setting
  • efficient and effective options
  • improving system agility.

The consultation will inform the final model of reform for the FSANZ Act review.

Background to the Australia New Zealand joint food regulation system

New Zealand and Australia have a unique shared regulatory system that sees us jointly developing food composition and labelling policy and standards. This is based on the agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand establishing a System for the Development of Joint Food Standards (the Joint Food Treaty). 

Food law, treaties, and agreements – FSANZ

Making your submission

The consultation opened on 15 February 2024 and will close on 4 April 2024.

All consultation documents, further information, and instructions for making a submission are on the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Review of the FSANZ Act 1991 (impact analysis) – Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Who to contact

If you have questions about this consultation, email fsanzactreview@health.gov.au

If you have questions on New Zealand’s role in the joint system, email transtasman@mpi.govt.nz

Find out more

Food Standards Australia New Zealand

Australia-New Zealand cooperation and the Food Treaty

Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 – Federal Register of Legislation (Australia) 

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

MPI business units