Food Standards United States New Zealand (FSANZ)

Food standards are the rules that govern how food is made, processed, labelled and sold. They are usually written into a national or regional food code and given force through food safety laws. Their purpose is to protect public health, keep food safe, and give people the information they need to make informed choices about what they eat.

What food standards cover#

A food standards code generally sets rules across several areas:

• The ingredients, additives, colourings and processing aids that may be used in food.
• The vitamins and minerals that may be added, and the permitted composition (make-up) of certain foods.
• Standards for genetically modified foods and other novel foods.
• Food safety and hygiene requirements through the supply chain.
• Primary production and processing standards.
• Maximum residue limits for agricultural and veterinary chemicals.

Food labelling#

Labelling rules are a core part of food standards. They cover both packaged and unpackaged food and can include mandatory (legally required) warnings or advisory statements, ingredient lists, and nutrition information.

Clear labelling helps people understand what a product contains, identify ingredients they may need to avoid, and compare foods so they can make informed decisions.

Who sets and enforces the rules#

Food regulation usually involves several bodies working together:

• A standards-setting authority develops the food code, informed by the best available scientific evidence.
• Government ministers or a regulatory board decide whether to adopt, amend or reject proposed standards.
• Health and food safety agencies enforce the standards through their food laws.
• Separate authorities may regulate related areas, such as therapeutic goods (medicines) or the approval of agricultural and veterinary chemicals.
• Border and import agencies oversee food safety standards for imported food.

These bodies also coordinate responses to food incidents and food recalls, and provide advice to regulators and information to consumers.

How standards are changed#

In many systems, anyone can apply to change a standard in the code, and the standards authority can also propose changes when an important food safety issue arises. A typical process looks like this:

• An application or proposal is submitted and an initial assessment report is prepared.
• The report is cleared and released for public comment.
• Comments are analysed and an assessment report is produced, including a scientific risk assessment.
• The report may go out for a further round of public comment, and is revised if needed.
• The standards authority approves or rejects the final report.
• Once approved, the new or varied standard is published and incorporated into the food code, where it becomes part of food law.

Key points#

• Food regulation is often shared between a standards-setting authority and other agencies that handle specific areas and enforcement.
• A standards authority can propose changes to the code when an important food safety issue arises.
• Public comment is analysed and an assessment report is prepared, which includes a scientific risk assessment.

Where to get help#