Australasia Updates Food Standards Code with Amendment 228

In a recent development, the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has issued an official gazette regarding Amendment 228 to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. This amendment covers several key areas, including:

• Schedule 3 - Identity and Purity
• Schedule 15 - Substances that may be used as food additives
• Schedule 18 - Processing aids
• Schedule 26 - Foods produced using gene technology

The specific changes included in this amendment are as follows:

• A1254 - Expanding the permitted use of rosemary extract as a food additive
• A1273 - Allowing the use of steviol glycosides as an intense sweetener for special purpose foods
• A1275 - Permitting the use of transglutaminase enzyme from genetically modified Bacillus strains as a processing aid
• A1276 - Approving the use of GM soybean line MON94313 in food products
• A1277 - Approving the use of GM Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655 INB-2FL_03 to produce 2'-fucosyllactose

These updates to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code aim to keep pace with evolving food technologies and consumer demands, while ensuring food safety and quality standards are maintained. Food businesses operating in the Australasian market should review these changes and ensure compliance with the revised regulations.