NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE

29 AUGUST

2473

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
P.O. Box 7186
CANBERRA MAIL CENTRE ACT 2610
AUSTRALIA
Tel: (00 61 06) 271 2219
Fax: (00 61 06) 271 2278

or

Ms Elizabeth Flynn
Acting Manager, New Zealand Operations
Australia New Zealand Food Authority
P.O. Box 10-559
The Terrace
WELLINGTON 6036
Tel: (04) 473 9942
Fax: (04) 473 9855

Notices Pursuant to Section 14

The authority has made preliminary assessments, accepted the following applications and will make full assessments. To assist in this process, the authority invites written submissions on matters relevant to the applications by 9 October 1996.

Xylanase Processing Aid for Starch (A317). This application was received on 16 June 1996, from the Nordisk Bioindustrial Pty Limited, to vary the Food Standards Code to permit the enzyme endo-1,4-β-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8), a type of hemicellulase, for use in starch processing. This enzyme is produced using recombinant DNA techniques from a strain of Aspergillus Oryzae carrying the gene coding for the enzyme from Aspergillus aculeatus and is inserted by plasmid pToC237. The trade name for this product is Shearzyme.

Edible Coating for Fresh Processed Fruit & Vegetables (A319). This application was received on 12 July 1996 from the Australian Food Industry Science Centre to vary the Food Standards Code to permit ascorbic acid and its sodium salt, sorbic acid and its salts, and the modifying agents listed in Groups I (vegetable gums), II (mineral salts), and III (food acids) in Table I of Standard A10—Modifying Agents, as ingredients of edible coatings for use on fresh processed fruits and vegetables. The coating is intended to prevent enzymatic browning and reduce microbial growth without the use of sulphur dioxide.

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Australia New Zealand Food Authority—Food Standards

The Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) was created to develop and implement uniform food standards in Australia and New Zealand. Any person or organisation can apply to ANZFA to have food standards developed or varied.

The authority publishes notices asking for public submissions in relation to applications. Public submissions help the authority make an informed assessment.

The processes of ANZFA in assessing applications are described in the booklet Introducing the Australia New Zealand Food Authority. Please contact one of the officers below for your copy.

For further information, please contact:

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

or

Ms Elizabeth Flynn
Acting Manager, New Zealand Operations
Australia New Zealand Food Authority
P.O. Box 10-559
The Terrace
WELLINGTON 6036
Tel: (04) 473 9942
Fax: (04) 473 9855

All submissions should be forwarded by mail or facsimile to the above named by 9 October 1996.

Matters Before the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council

The authority has completed inquiries into the following applications and has recommended to the council that draft variations to the Australian Food Standards Code be adopted. The authority will now hold a further inquiry into these matters in New Zealand so that a further recommendation to the council can be made which incorporates New Zealand views.

Kava (A242). This application was received from the Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services. The authority has recommended that the council adopt a new Standard O10—Kava, and a draft variation to Standard A12—Metals and Contaminants in Food.

The recommendation, if approved by the council, will mean that kava will be allowed to be sold in Australia as a food provided there is compliance with the National Code of Kava Management, and with any relevant State and Territory legislation. Importation of kava for sale as a food will be permitted by importers licensed by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services.

Vitamin E in Table Spreads, Margarines, Fats and Oils (A247). This application was received from the Australian Margarine Manufacturers Association. The authority has recommended that the council adopt draft variations to Standards A9—Vitamins and Minerals, G1—Edible Fats and Oils, G2—Margarine and G5—Table Spreads.