| Key information |
Establishment |
- National Food Authority (Australia only) 1991
- Australia New Zealand Food Authority 1996
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand 2002
|
Government oversight |
Senator the Hon Fiona Nash, Assistant Minister for Health; Chair, Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation1 (the Forum on Food Regulation or the Forum) |
Chair, FSANZ Board |
Ms Philippa Smith AM |
Chief Executive Officer |
Mr Steve McCutcheon |
FSANZ staff
(30 June 2014) |
112 employees (ongoing and non-ongoing), located in Canberra and Wellington offices |
Funding 2013–14
(Portfolio Budget Statement) |
Australian Government appropriation—$18.56m
Other—$2.17m |
Food regulatory system |
- policy development (Forum on Food Regulation)
- standards development (FSANZ)
- enforcement (states, territories, New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Agriculture, local government)
|
| Legislative responsibilities |
Enabling Act of Parliament |
Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 |
Section 18 objectives
(‘core' objectives applied to FSANZ's regulatory measures function) |
- protection of public health and safety
- provision of adequate information to consumers
- prevention of misleading or deceptive conduct
|
Section 18 objectives ‘have regard to' objectives applied to FSANZ's regulatory measures function) |
- need for [food] standards to be based on risk analysis using the best available scientific evidence
- promotion of consistency between domestic and international food standards
- desirability of an efficient and internationally competitive food industry
- promotion of fair trading in food
|
Treaty between Australia and New Zealand |
Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand concerning a Joint Food Standards System |
| Structure and processes |
Organisational structure |
See organisation chart on page xix |
Governance |
- 12-person Board (three members nominated by the New Zealand Government) (Appendix 11)
- Operates under the FSANZ Act and the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997
- Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee reports to the Board on financial accountability, internal audit and compliance systems
|
Corporate planning |
- Corporate Plan 2012–15
- Business Plan 2013–14
- Portfolio Budget Statement (Health portfolio)
- FSANZ Strategy Map (Appendix 12)
|
FSANZ outcome (Program 1.1) |
A safe food supply and well informed consumers in Australia and New Zealand, including through the development of food regulatory measures and the promotion of their consistent implementation, coordination of food recall activities and the monitoring of consumer and industry food practices |
Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code |
Any individual or organisation can apply to amend the Food Standards Code. FSANZ can also initiate changes to the Code, usually to protect public safety or assist in addressing issues of long-term public health importance. The latter are normally requested by the Forum on Food Regulation. |
Application Handbook |
Contains details of information required by FSANZ for assessing applications to amend the Code |
Assessment of applications and proposals to amend the Food Standards Code |
- General procedure (nine months to complete assessment)—one round of public consultation
- Minor procedure (three months to complete assessment)—limited consultation with government agencies and any affected parties
- Major procedure (12 months to complete assessment)—two or more rounds of public consultation
- High level health claims procedure (nine months to complete assessment)—one round of public consultation, if applicant does not elect for confidential treatment
|
FSANZ risk analysis process |
- Risk assessment—determining the likelihood and severity of hazards
- Risk management—identifying hazards and measures to minimise the risk determined in risk assessment
- Risk communication—ensuring stakeholders are aware of, and understand, the risk being addressed and the control measures
|
Food recall process |
FSANZ coordinates a national food recall system for Australia, in association with the states and territories and the food industry |
National Food Incident Response Protocol |
FSANZ coordinates an integrated, whole-of-government response for national incidents |
| Summary of financial performance 2013–14 |
Financial outcome |
Operating revenue $21.777m
Operating expenses $20.954m |
Certificate of Compliance |
2013–14 Certificate of Compliance sent to the Department of Finance and Deregulation before 15 October, as required |
