Joint Australia NZ Food Standards adopted
In 2002, New Zealand adopted the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, and all its amendments, as joint food standards (except for the Australia-specific chapters and standards).
The 2002 Standard which adopted the Code has now been superseded by the Adoption of the Joint Food Standards under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code Notice. The Notice took effect from 26 February 2018.
- Download the Notice for adoption of the joint food standards [PDF, 126 KB]
- Read about the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
- Check the Food Standards Code
Updates to food standards
The Notice adopts the standards up to and including amendment number 176 (excluding amendment 169). You can find these amendments to the Food Standards Code on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) website.
As further amendments to the Food Standards Code are made we'll update New Zealand's adoption of the standards through Notice amendments.
Amendment No. 206 – Review of the kava standard
In October 2022, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) opened a public consultation as part of a review of the amendments to the kava standard in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. These amendments have not yet been adopted by New Zealand to enable an assessment to be made on the impacts in the New Zealand context.
In March 2022, the FSANZ Board agreed on amendments to the Code as part of urgent Proposal P1057 to:
- ensure kava beverage is prepared and consumed in line with historically-safe practices;
- clarify the current prohibition on the use of processing aids and food additives in the manufacture or processing of dried or raw kava root and kava beverages; and
- require that kava is sourced from Noble varieties of the kava plant, which have a history of safe use.
The FSANZ website details the process for the consultation and how to make a submission.
Proposal P1057 - Review of the kava standard
Email your submission by 8pm on 16 November 2022 to submissions@foodstandards.gov.au
The feedback you provide to FSANZ will not be shared automatically with New Zealand government agencies. We also request you provide a copy of your feedback to transtasman@mpi.govt.nz
FSANZ will have regard for all submissions as part of the review process and will decide whether to confirm the changes or prepare an alternative proposal.
This review will be completed by 23 March 2023, following which final decisions will be made.
Food Standards 2002 no longer apply
The New Zealand (Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code) Food Standards 2002, which originally adopted the Code into New Zealand law, no longer apply. These revoked Standards and their amendments are still available to download for your reference.
