FoodLegal Bulletin, October, 2006 >>
| 1. | Why are Enzymes not being Mentioned on the Label? Why are They Treated More Favourably than other Chemicals in Food? If consumers are entitled to know the contents of their food, why is there no legal requirement for the labelling of enzymes in ingredients lists? Some enzymes are also the products of genetic engineering (which need not be a bad thing) but why are enzymes exempted from the labelling requirements for GM foods? In this 3,300 word article, we look at what enzymes are, how they are currently used in food, and we examine exemptions and concessions provided for enzymes in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Read more >> |
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| 2. | Is Tap Water Good Enough? - Quality Control of the Water used in Food Processing and Preparation The water used in food processing and manufacture is subject to strict controls. This is to ensure that water-borne diseases, including parasites, bacteria and viruses do not contaminate foodstuffs. This 2600-word article investigates whether or not tap water may be used in the Australian food industry and the related question of when water is considered fit for human consumption. Read more >> |
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| 3. | Exposing the Food Safety Offenders - Why Australia is Lagging Behind Should the food authorities around Australia release the names and addresses of food safety violators? This article of 1,200 words discusses the current legal position. Read more >> |
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| 4. | How Far Can You Go In Sledging Your Competitor? When are you exposed to defamation risks? Recent Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (‘ACCC’) discussion and a high-profile court case have drawn more attention to comparative advertising and laws that govern the limits on what can legally be said about rival products or services. A retail shopping chain or a restaurant might be convinced they are better than their competitors; some might even have the evidence to back up a claim that certain product prices or models outperform others. However, before launching a campaign to highlight these features, marketers might like to consider this 1650-word article containing insights from the laws of comparative advertising, the laws of defamation and other relevant laws pertaining to competition regulation and food standards. Read more >> |
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| 5. | How and When Your Package can be Described as "Recyclable" or "Biodegradable"? Claims about the ‘environmentally-friendly’ credentials of packaging materials are under increased scrutiny throughout Australia. Currently, there have been moves to limit the usage of plastic bags in supermarkets. This 1900-word article gives an overview of when businesses might be able to claim their products are ‘recyclable’ or ‘biodegradable’ and how such claims might appear on a label or package. A matrix of Federal laws, as well as the Australian packaging industry’s national covenant and other packaging industry standards and codes can apply. In this article we aim to help consumers and regulators sort their way through the maze and avoid the problems that are becoming apparent in the Australian marketplace. Read more >> |
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| 6. | Legal Responsibilities of the Food Laboratory in OHS and Related Laws This 650 word article is an outline of the legal framework and requirements for food laboratories and the relationship with employee occupational health and safety. There are two areas of law that are applicable, namely statutory law being the relevant legislation, and the common law duty of care that can be owed by food laboratories either as employers or contractors. This article deals primarily with the relevant statutory laws. Read more >> |
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| 7. | Recent Food Law Updates Recent developments in food law and regulatory compliance including laws affecting the content of meat pies, country of origin labelling, calcium in chewing gum, as well as a State government inquiry into food regulation in Victoria, and a report on a recent agreement between the governments of NSW and New Zealand in relation to food law enforcement. Read more >> |
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