Australia
Codex Contact Point
Codex Contact Point, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources GPO Box 858 Canberra ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA
Telephone:
+61 2 6271 6682
Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Website:
http://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/food/codex
Competent authorities
Name of authority:
The domestic food regulatory system in Australia is a cooperative bi-national arrangement between the Australian and New Zealand Government and Australian States and Territories. Australia has a food regulatory system that protects and enhances public health and safety across the whole of the food chain. The system is based upon a partnership between government, consumers and industry. The food regulatory system separates the responsibility of policy development, standards setting and the implementation and enforcement of standards set for food between government agencies.
www.foodstandards.gov.au
www.agriculture.gov.au
Mandate/competence:
The domestic food regulatory system in Australia is a cooperative bi-national arrangement between the Australian and New Zealand Government and Australian States and Territories. Australia has a food regulatory system that protects and enhances public health and safety across the whole of the food chain. The system is based upon a partnership between government, consumers and industry. The food regulatory system separates the responsibility of policy development, standards setting and the implementation and enforcement of standards set for food between government agencies.
The Department of Health is responsible for development of food regulation policy, research and investigations to provide sound data on foodborne illness. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is responsible for the establishment of food standards taking into account the best available scientific evidence and good regulatory practice. Australian requirements for public health and safety are detailed in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). The Code applies to all food for sale including those imported into or manufactured in Australia.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources helps protect Australia's food producers by managing the risk of exotic pests and diseases entering the country. In respect of imported food, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources enforces the Food Standards Code and is responsible for inspection and testing of imported product at the border.
The Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources’ role is to develop and implement policies and programs that ensure Australia's agricultural, fisheries, food and forestry industries remain competitive, profitable and sustainable.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources also provides export inspection and certification services and develops strategies to gain, improve or maintain market access for live animals and reproductive material, and a wide range of food and inedible products of animal origin. The Exports Division provides residue monitoring services to Australian primary industries.
INFOSAN Emergency Contact Point
Food safety and consumer protection – laws and regulations
The current list of legislation, related to food safety and consumer protection in each country, is extracted from FAO's database on Food Legislation FAOLEX. While FAOLEX makes every effort to serve as a high quality, reliable source of information, no guarantee is given that the information provided in FAOLEX is correct, complete, and up-to-date.The national Codex programme
National Codex consultative mechanism
We also have a registration form on our website for stakeholders to register their interest in providing input to Australian positions on Codex issues and or standards under development. Once a stakeholder is registered they are added to a contact list and receive emails requesting comments on draft Codex standards as well as electronic working groups and reports of committees. Stakeholders are also invited to participate in Panel Meetings prior to a Committee in order to provide comments for consideration when developing Australia’s positions for the Committee.