5 DECEMBER NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

4653

New Zealand Food Standards Council that it adopt draft variations to the Food Standards Code.

Dimethyl dicarbonate (A259). This application, received on 9 June 1995 from Bayer Australia Limited, seeks to permit the use of dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC) as a cold sterilising agent in alcoholic and non-alcoholic, carbonated and non-carbonated beverages.

The authority has prepared draft variations as amended to Standards A1—Labelling and Advertising, A4—Preservatives, A11—Specifications for Identity and Purity of Food Additives, Food Processing Aids, Vitamins, Minerals and Other Added Nutrients, O4—Soft Drinks and Soft Drink Products, O7—Orange Juice and Related Products, O9—Fruit Drinks and Fruit Drink Products and R9—Supplementary Foods.

The recommendation, if approved by council, will permit the use of dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC) as a cold sterilising agent in non-alcoholic carbonated and non-carbonated beverages.

Use of processed eucheuma seaweed (A262). This application, received on 22 June 1995 from Goodman Fielder Limited and Woods Pty Limited, seeks to permit the use of natural grade carrageenan (also known as processed eucheuma seaweed) as an alternate form of carrageenan.

The authority has prepared draft variations to Standards A10—Modifying Agents and A11—Specifications for Identity and Purity of Food Additives, Food Processing Aids, Vitamins, Minerals and Other Added Nutrients to permit the use of processed eucheuma seaweed.

The recommendation, if approved by council, will allow for the addition of processed eucheuma seaweed as a permitted vegetable gum to food during manufacturing.

Deletion of Standard B5—Malt and Malt Extract (A275). This joint application, received on 3 July 1995 from the Council of Australian Food Technology Associations Inc (CAFTA), Nestle Australia Limited, Burns Philp & Co Limited and Coopers Brewery, seeks to delete or amend clauses of Standard B5 of the Food Standards Code.

The authority prepared draft variations to Standard A1—Labelling and Advertising, Standard B1—Cereals, Legumes, Flours, Meals and Bread and Standard K1—Sugar and Related Products and has proposed the deletion of Standard B5—Malt and Malt Extract.

The recommendation, if approved by council will reduce the prescriptiveness of the Food Standards Code and will better meet the needs of industry.

Animal protein in canned foods for infants and young children (A281). This application, received on 19 July 1995 from the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation (AMLC), seeks removal of clause (7) of Standard R5—Canned Foods for Infants and Young Children. This standard imposes compositional and labelling requirements related to the protein content of such foods where a reference is made in the label, other than in the ingredient list, to a source of animal protein.

The authority prepared draft variations to Standard R5—Canned Foods for Infants and Young Children.

The recommendation, if approved by council, will remove the maximum protein levels which apply when a source of animal protein is named or its presence is implied in a label or advertisement for strained and junior canned foods. It will also require an alternative age suitability statement, ‘only suitable for infants aged from six months’ in the label of strained infant foods with more than 3 g of protein per 100 kJ.

Calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate in canned fish (A282). This application, received from Unifoods, a division of Unilever Australia, seeks to vary Standard D2—Canned Fish and Canned Fish Products, to permit the use of calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (CaNa2EDTA) in canned crustaceans and canned molluscs, at a maximum level of 250 mg/kg. The authority proposed at full assessment to extend the permission to all canned fish, including canned salmon and tuna. According to the Food Standards Code, fish is defined as a fish or part of a fish ordinarily used for consumption by humankind and includes a crustacea or mollusc.

The authority prepared draft variations to Standard D2—Canned Fish and Canned Fish Products, to provide for all canned fish products.

The recommendation, if approved by council, will vary Standard D2 by permitting not more than 250 mg/kg calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate in canned fish, including salmon and tuna.

Extended use of lysozyme in cheese (A289). This application, received on 5 October 1995 from Chr Hansen Pty Limited and Canadian Inovatech Inc, seeks to extend the use of lysozyme (EC 3.2.1.17) in cheese.

The authority prepared draft variations to Standard H9—Cheese and Cheese Products, and Standard A11—Specifications for Identity and Purity of Food Additives, Food Processing Aids, Vitamins, Minerals and Other Added Nutrients, as amended.

The recommendation, if approved by council, will extend the use of lysozyme (EC 3.2.1.17) to cheeses other than cottage cheese, cream cheese, neufchatel cheese and whey cheese.

You can get more information on these matters from either address below:

Standards Liaison Officer
Australia New Zealand Food Authority
P.O. Box 7186
CANBERRA MAIL CENTRE ACT 2610
AUSTRALIA
Telephone: (00 61 06) 271 2219
Facsimile: (00 61 06) 271 2278

or

Standards Liaison Officer
Australia New Zealand Food Authority
P.O. Box 10-559
The Terrace
WELLINGTON 6036
NEW ZEALAND
Telephone: (04) 473 9942
Facsimile: (04) 473 9855