Who’s Minding the Store Downunder: The regulator protecting public health and safety.

1. Who’s Minding the Store Downunder: The regulator protecting public health and safety. Deon Mahoney Food Standards Australia New Zealand Seattle University School of Law Office of Continuing Legal Education 10-11 April 2008

2. Exotic and dangerous wildlife

3. Australia - Primer • 1 Commonwealth Government: • 6 States + 2 Territories + 700+ Local Govt Areas • 21 million people • Island nation – we don’t have: • Foot and mouth disease • Exotic zoonoses • H5N1 • Major exporter of agricultural commodities and processed foods • Significant imports of food

4. Australians enjoy access to a very safe and diverse food supply …

5. Food safety issues…. • Contaminated food causes approximately 5.4 million cases of gastroenteritis per annum* • 1.2 million visits to medical practitioners* • 2.1 million days of work lost per annum* • Total cost of foodborne illness in Australia is estimated at $1.249 billion per annum# Attribution to food vehicles is a major issue * Hall and Kirk, 2005 # Australian Government Dept of Health and Ageing, 2006

6. Policy Development Standards Setting Implementation Australia New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council Role - develop domestic food regulation policy Comprises - Ministers from the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, and the States and Territories. Each jurisdiction brings a "whole of government" view to the Council Policy Guidelines Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Role – develop food standards State + Territory + New Zealand Agencies Role – enforce food standards Food Regulation – Who does what

7. FSANZ - Responsibilities • FSANZ sets food standards that: • protect the health and safety of food consumers; • ensure consumers are informed about the food they buy; and • prevent deceptive and misleading conduct. • FSANZ regulatory measures should also: • Be based on risk analysis using the best available scientific evidence • support an innovative food industry; and • ensure consistency with international obligations

8. Food Standards Code Food hygiene Composition of food products (Australia only) Additives and new foods Labelling - including claims Food Standards Code Microbiological limits Contaminants and residues Primary production and processing (Australia only)

9. Current Activity • Whole-of-chain Primary Production and Processing Standards • Seafood, Dairy products, egg and egg products, poultry meat, raw milk products, etc • Fortification • Folate, Iodine, etc • Health claims Reflects focus on both health protection from acute illness and prevention of chronic disease.

10. Contemporary Issues • Acrylamide • Ethyl carbamate • Food colours • Allergens • Nanotechnology • Low level contaminants • etc

11. Food Imports – Special issues • Mitigating the risk associated with imported food • AQIS - Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service administers the Imported Food Inspection Scheme: • Inspection based on risk category • Starting to recognise importers food safety management systems through compliance agreements • FSANZ - Provides advice on risk

12. Food Imports – Risk list • Evolved a Decision Making Tool – Determines the level of inspection for imported food • Based on: • History • Likelihood • Adverse effects – populations • Risk mitigation post-importation • High Risk: 100% Inspection and Testing • Remainder: 5% Inspection and potential for testing

13. Summary • Australia is seeking pragmatic solutions to food safety problems • Horizon scanning for new and emerging foodborne hazards • Consumer knowledge, food beliefs and perceptions are important issues • Trend towards outcome based standards, with a focus on prevention rather than end-product testing arrangements • Addressing acute and chronic health issues

14. www.foodstandards.gov.au