NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

25 JULY 1957

General

Australia New Zealand Food Authority

Australia New Zealand Food Authority Act 1991

Australia New Zealand Food Authority—Food Standards

The following notices are made pursuant to the Australia New Zealand Food Authority Act 1991—All correspondence, including requests for further information on the matters detailed below, should be forwarded to the following:

Standards Liaison Officer
Australia New Zealand Food Authority
Box 7186
CANBERRA MAIL CENTRE ACT 2610
AUSTRALIA
Tel: (00 61 6) 271 2219

or

Ms Elizabeth Flynn
Contact Officer
Australia New Zealand Food Authority
P.O. Box 10-559
The Terrace
WELLINGTON 6036
Tel: (04) 473 9942

Notice Pursuant to Section 14

Sulphur Dioxide in Sun Dried Tomatoes (A314). The authority received an application (A314) from Fruitmark Pty Limited on 11 June 1996, to permit the addition of up to 3 g/kg sulphur dioxide to sun dried tomatoes.

The authority has made a preliminary assessment, accepted the application to amend the Food Standards Code, and will now make a full assessment. To assist this process, the authority invites submissions on matters relevant to the application by 4 September 1996.

Notice Pursuant to Section 19

Lipase in Baked Goods (A264). The authority has completed an inquiry into the draft variations to amend the Food Standards Code, prepared after full assessment of application (A264) from Novo Nordisk Bioindustrial Pty Limited and has recommended that the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council adopt the draft variations to Standard A16—Processing Aids.

The recommendation, if approved by council, will permit the use of lipase derived from a strain of Aspergillus oryzae in baked goods, including bread. Additionally, lipase derived from Rhizopus arrhizus has been included in Standard A16, as previously lipase from this source had been inadvertently deleted from Standard B1—Cereals, Legumes, Flours, Meals and Breads, and not included in Standard A16 during its preparation.

Ascorbic Acid in Soft Drinks and Electrolyte Drinks (A272). The authority has completed an inquiry into the draft variations to amend the Food Standards Code prepared after full assessment of application (A272) from Reckitt and Coleman Products, and has recommended that the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Council adopt draft variations to Standard A7—Antioxidants, Standard O4—Soft Drinks and Soft Drink Products and Standard R9—Supplementary foods.

The recommendation, if approved by the council, will allow for the addition of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid and their sodium salts as antioxidants to soft drinks and electrolyte drinks at a maximum level of 250mg/L.

Notice Pursuant to Sections 16, 19 and 36

Mercury in Ling Fish (A296). The authority received application (A296) from Sealord Products Limited on 14 December 1995, to allow the mean permitted mercury levels for ling (fish) to be increased to 1.0 mg/kg.

It has completed a full assessment of the application, and has prepared draft variations to Standard A12—Metals and Contaminants in Food, of the Food Standards Code.

The authority, pursuant to section 36 of the Australia New Zealand Food Authority Act 1991 (the Act), has decided not to invite public submissions because the application raises issues of only minor significance and complexity. Therefore to omit to invite public submissions for the purposes of holding an inquiry into the draft variations will not adversely affect the interests of any person or body.

Section 63 of the Act provides that, subject to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975, an application for a review of the authority’s decision may be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal by a person or body whose interests are affected by the decision to omit holding an inquiry in relation to the application.

The authority will now recommend that the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council adopt the draft variations.

Notice Pursuant to Section 22

Review of the Maximum Permitted Concentrations for Cadmium in Food (P144). The authority has prepared a proposal (P144) to review the maximum permitted concentrations for cadmium in all foods.

The authority has been accepted the proposal to amend the Foods Standards Code, and will now make a full assessment. To assist in the process, the Authority invites written submissions on matters relevant to the proposal by 4 September 1996.