Have your say
In November 2019, the Food Ministers Meeting (formally known as the Australia New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation) endorsed a plan to reform the binational food regulation system to ensure it remains strong, robust, and agile into the future.
As part of the ambitious reform plan endorsed by the Forum, a Review of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (FSANZ Act) is being undertaken by the Australian Government. The FSANZ Act sets out the role of the joint food standards body and how it must go about the development of food standards. Australia now has released a consultation document outlining a range of possible reform options for public consultation. Note that these proposals are for consultation and do not imply the endorsement of either the Australian or New Zealand Governments.
Making your submission
The consultation opened on 6 April 2021 and will close at midnight on 18 May 2021.
Information on the review and making submissions is on the Australian Department of Health’s Consultation Hub.
Background to the wider review of the 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).
In addition to the review of the FSANZ Act, 3 other projects are being progressed under the plan which collectively reform the binational food regulatory system. They are the:
- review of the Australian Food Regulation Agreement
- review of jurisdictional consistency across the joint system
- operations review.
Next steps
You can keep informed about future steps in the reform process through the following link:
Food regulation in Australia and New Zealand
Who to contact
If you have any questions about this consultation or the broader reform agenda, or if you wish to subscribe for updates, email FoodRegulationModernisation@health.gov.au
If you have any 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)
