Committees and groups are established as required to provide input on issues current to FSANZ work. Information relating to how FSANZ establishes Scientific or Expert Advisory Groups can be found here . A selection of advisory groups utilised in recent times is given below.
Standards Development Advisory Committees (SDACs) / Standards Development Committees (SDCs)
These committees can consist of individuals from Australia and New Zealand government agencies, industry bodies, public health bodies and consumer groups. SDACs are established to assist in the development of different standards, as required, providing advice on scientific, technical and policy issues relevant to the review process. SDACs have been established to consult on matters such as mandatory fortification with folic acid, mandatory fortification with iodine, nutrition, health and related claims and primary production and processing standards.
Iodine Scientific Advisory Group (ISAG)
Established to provide scientific advice on issues relating to the consideration of mandatory fortification with iodine. Membership comprised seven external experts providing input on risk assessment, issues of at-risk groups and medical matters.
Scientific Advisory Group for the Development of the Substantiation Framework for Nutrition, Health and Related Claims
Consisting of twenty members, this group assisted in the development of the Framework with their expertise in nutrition and epidemiology. The group reviewed the evidence for eight diet-disease relationships. Those determined to be convincingly substantiated will underpin the pre-approved high level health claims. The group had assistance of external experts who prepared individual reviews.
Data & Evaluation External Advisory Group
A twelve-member stakeholder group established to provide expertise into the scientific and technical evaluation of food regulatory measures.
Dairy Scientific Advisory Panel
A panel of experts providing input into the chemical risk assessment and the dairy microbiological risk profile. The expertise of the members includes on-farm hygienic practices, food processing, microbiological risk assessment, public health epidemiology, and chemical safety.
Infant and Young Child Scientific Advisory Group
The Infant and Young Child Scientific Advisory Group (ICSAG) is an expert scientific advisory group that advises FSANZ on any matters relating to food for infants and young children. The inaugural meeting of the ICSAG took place on 10th December 2007.