(January 2014)
Maintaining the safety of food requires constant vigilance by government, industry and consumers as the food supply changes as a result of new technologies, expanding trade opportunities, ethnic diversity in the population and changing diets.
Food regulators aim to ensure health and safety risks from food are negligible for the whole population, and that consumers can make informed choices. When this is achieved, public confidence in the effectiveness of food regulation is maintained.
FSANZ develop and reviews food standards covering the composition and labelling of food sold in Australia and New Zealand and Australia-only food standards addressing food safety issues and primary production and processing
FSANZ uses risk analysis, an internationally accepted process, for standards development and many other situations where food-related health risks need to be assessed, managed and communicated.
FSANZ uses a risk analysis framework in developing new food standards, evaluating proposed changes to existing food standards, for monitoring and surveillance activities, assessing food technology practices and considering emerging food safety issues. Using the risk analysis framework is intended to ensure effective regulatory decisions. Its use encourages communication between all interested parties including consumers.
The Risk Analysis in Food Regulation publication provides a broad overview of how FSANZ uses the risk analysis framework to manage a diverse range of food-related health risks.
More information
Risk Analysis in Food Regulation
Dietary exposure assessments
