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Caffeine

Caffeine Caffeine occurs naturally in foods, such as coffee, tea and cocoa and has a long history of use as a mild stimulant. Products are also available with added caffeine, including cola-type soft drinks and formulated caffeinated beverages (energy drinks). Some caffeine products​ are not considered safe for consumption and have been banned in Australia and New Zealand.​ These products usually come in the form of powders and syrups and are typically marketed as sports supplements.  ​ Caffeine content of some food and drinks: Caffeine-infographic.png Is there a safe limit for caffeine? There is no recognised health-based guidance value, such as an Acceptable Daily Intake, for…

Published 1 November 2023

Application A614 - Food Derived From Glyphosate-Tolerant Cotton Line GHB614

Application A614 - Food Derived From Glyphosate-Tolerant Cotton Line GHB614 First Review R

Published 2 November 2023

Application A615 - Food Derived From Insect-Protected Cotton Line COT67B

Application A615 - Food Derived From Insect-Protected Cotton Line COT67B First Review R

Published 2 November 2023

A1095 Natamycin - Extension of Use in Yoghurt

A1095 Natamycin - Extension of Use in Yoghurt

Published 5 April 2016

A1281 - Food derived from herbicide-tolerant and insect-protected corn line DP910521

A1281 - Food derived from herbicide-tolerant and insect-protected corn line DP910521 This application seeks approval for the sale and use of food derived from corn line DP910521, genetically modified for herbicide-tolerance and protection from insect pests.

Published 19 June 2024

Pregnancy and healthy eating

Pregnancy and healthy eating A healthy diet is important for pregnant women and their developing baby.​ It's best to start eating well before you become pregnant. If you think you might be pregnant already, don't worry—start following advice as soon as you can. During pregnancy, more of certain nutrients, such as iron, iodine and folic acid are needed, but only a small amount of extra kilojoules. Normal weight gain over the course of a pregnancy is around 11.5–16.0 kg for women who are a healthy pre-conception weight. What to eat It is important to choose a wide variety of nutritious foods. Lots of well-washed fruit and vegetables, wholegrain breads and cereals Dark green leafy vegetables naturally contain iron and…

Published 3 November 2023

Folic acid/folate and pregnancy

Folic acid/folate and pregnancy Folate is a B group vitamin needed for healthy growth and development. This vitamin is known as folate when it is found naturally in food, such as green leafy vegetables, and as folic acid when it is added to food, such as bread and breakfast cereals, or used in dietary supplements. If you are thinking about having a baby you need to know about folate. Folate is essential to the healthy development of babies in early pregnancy. A baby’s growth is the most rapid in the first weeks of life – often before you are aware you are pregnant. The neural tube closes and fuses very early in pregnancy; if it doesn’t close, the result is a neural tube defect (NTD) such as spina bifida.  It is a legal requirement in Australia and New…

Published 3 November 2023

Iodine and pregnancy

Iodine and pregnancy If you are thinking about having a baby you need to know about iodine. Iodine is an essential mineral that we get from the food we eat. While seafood is a good source of iodine, the amount of iodine in other food like milk and vegetables varies depending on where it is grown and how it is made. The developing baby in the womb, babies and young children are at greatest risk from a diet low in iodine. Mild to moderate iodine deficiency can cause learning difficulties and affect physical development and hearing. In recent years there was a re-emergence of iodine deficiency in Australia and New Zealand, with nearly half the population thought to have inadequate iodine intakes. Since 2009, the Australian and New Zealand governments have required the salt used…

Published 3 November 2023

Meat pies

Meat pies (Last updated January 2017) Australians each eat an average of 12 meat pies a year, that’s 270 million pies, while in New Zealand they are even more popular, with the average Kiwi eating 15 meat pies, which is 66 million a year. So it’s no wonder that at Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) many visitors to our website are seeking information about meat pies. Much of the interest in meat pies is about how much meat is in a pie and what kind of meat is used. The Food Standards Code stipulates that a meat pie must contain a minimum of 25 per cent of meat flesh. According to the Code, meat flesh means:

‘The skeletal muscle of the carcass of any buffalo, camel, cattle, deer, goat, hare, pig, poultry, rabbit or sheep, slaughtered other than in a wild state (i.e. not…

Published 3 November 2023

Hemp seeds as food

Hemp seeds as food Proposal to permit foods derived from hemp The Food Standards Code was amended in 2017 to permit the sale of low THC hemp seed foods. In April 2017 ministers responsible for food regulation considered FSANZ's approval of a proposal to permit the sale of low-THC hemp seed foods. Ministers did not seek a review of the decision. Contact your local food enforcement agency to check legislation to support the legal sale of low-THC hemp seed foods. Hemp Hemp or industrial hemp is a cannabis plant species (Cannabis sativa). Historically, hemp has been used as a source of fibre and oil.…

Published 3 November 2023