Food and Health E-ssentials

Australia, New Zealand Issue Imported Food Control Order 

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has issued an Order modifying certain provisions of its requirements related to “risk food” imported from other countries.

The Order, “Imported Food Control Order 2019,” was issued on 17 September and modifies provisions of FSANZ’s Imported Food Control Regulations 2019. Specifically, the Order requires that 25 different food products imported into Australia or New Zealand be “inspected, or inspected and analysed.” The list of risk foods identified in the Order include beef, certain types of cheeses, certain types of fish, nuts, spices and human milk and human milk products.

In addition, beef and beef products, raw milk cheese, certain ready-to-eat meat products, and human milk and human milk products must be accompanied upon importation by a “recognised foreign government certificate” attesting to its safety.

Under the terms of the order, the inspection requirements are also applicable to beef and beef products, cassava chips and brown seaweed produced in New Zealand. In addition, New Zealand beef and beef products must be covered by a recognised government certificate. The requirements of FSANZ’s order applicable to risk foods are now in effect.

The text of FSANZ’s Imported Food Control Order is available here.