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The 2002 Standard which adopted the Code has now been superseded by the Adoption of the Joint Food Standards under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code Notice.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 March 2022, amendments were made to the kava standard in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). While the amendment (number 206) took immediate effect in Australia, the Minister for Food Safety has not adopted the amendment into New Zealand law. New Zealand will do further engagement with the Pasifika community during the next 12 months while Food Standards Australia New Zealand assesses the amendments.
Amendment 206 relates to Proposal P1057. This was an urgent proposal to review the regulation of kava in the Code to ensure it adequately addressed public health and safety – related to the potential increased availability of kava to the wider community.
Proposal P1057 Review of the kava standard – FSANZ website
Kava is a product of significance for New Zealand’s Pasifika communities so any changes to the Food Standards Code relating to kava require sufficient time to consider. Further engagement will take place with the Pasifika community to understand the aspirations of the communities and industry, to feed into the review in 12 months and ensure the regulations for kava remain fit for purpose in New Zealand. More information on next steps will be available soon.
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.
