Australian and New Zealand food standards ministers have agreed a number of important changes to the two countries' food legislation.
The ministers agreed to tighten the regulations governing health and related claims, including measures to protect public health by providing scientific substantiation of high risk claims.
They also allowed the use of generic health claims for ease of use where evidence is clear and minimal regulation where there are no risks to public health. A watchdog will be established to monitor the use of health and related claims.
The ministers also agreed to extend the temporary provision allowing the folate/neural tube defect health claim under certain conditions from 13 August 2002 to 13 February 2004 or until a new health claims standard is introduced.
The growing concern about foods with added caffeine prompted the ministers to agree to the development of a policy governing products such as caffeinated beverages and guarana bars. The health, safety and behavioural aspects of added caffeine and the views of industry will be examined in addition to toxicological research, the ministers said.
Among the other measures agreed at the meeting, which took place in Sydney last week, were the introduction of a new standard covering infant formula, a change to the labelling requirements for spirits and liqueurs which will extend the current regulations to Duty Free sales, and the extension of the ban on the use of industrial hemp as a novel food, claiming that allowing its use would "send a confused message to consumers about the acceptability and safety of Cannabis".
The ministers agreed to approve the use of tall oil phytosterols as novel food ingredients in edible oil spreads, although they stipulated that any products containing the ingredients carry a mandatory advisory statement to help ensure the product is used safely. They also approved the use of food derived from the glyphosate-tolerant corn line NK603.
In addition, ministers asked the Australia New Zealand Food Agency (ANZFA) to investigate the issues of fortifying bread with thiamin, margarine with vitamin D and bread or flour with folate, as well as commissioning the agency to provide advice on the marketing of products to children following concerns over a mint which is designed to look like the drug ecstasy.
The ministers also asked ANZFA to proceed urgently with the development of a wine standard for Australia to maintain the requirement of the old Food Standards Code and thus ensure continuation of the current access of Australian wine to the European Community market.