FoodLegal Bulletin, July, 2007

Has your food business addressed the possibility of a flu pandemic? FREE Show More Info
FREE ARTICLE!
It is a wise management philosophy to plan for business risks and to consider worst case scenarios, irrespective of unpredictability. The Federal government has developed detailed plans and checklists for businesses to prepare for the contingency of a bird flu pandemic. This article provides further background and guidance.

"Australian Grown": A "growing" concern Show More Info
This article is a revision of an earlier version of an article on this subject and follows discussion with Australian Made Campaign Limited that clarified aspects of the new scheme. In this article, we look at the current legal structuring of the “Australian Grown” scheme that was launched by the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in June 2007. The aim of the scheme is to boost the marketing opportunities for local fruit and vegetable producers.

Mandatory fortification of bread with folate passed by Ministerial Council Show More Info
In May 2004, the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council (“the Ministerial Council”) requested Food Standards Australia New Zealand (“FSANZ”) to investigate a proposal for a food standard to be introduced for mandatory fortification of bread with folate as a means of combating the incidence of spina-bifida and other neural tube defects. On 22 June 2007, the Ministerial Council affirmed the draft standard included in the First Review Report published on 23 May 2007 for the mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid for inclusion in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (“the Food Standards Code”). This article outlines what the new standard will require and examines the policy questions behind the endorsement of the standard.

The Food Industry Guide to Allergen Management and Labelling Show More Info
In this article, we comment on new industry guidelines for allergen management and labelling and explain the legal background for allergen labelling.

Genuine Concerns Without Hysteria about Listeria Show More Info
Over the past year, there have been numerous cases reported of listeria causing food contamination leading to product recalls. Whether food-processing plants are operated during a very hot summer or a very wet winter, the vulnerability to a listeria outbreak must always be considered and steps taken to eliminate the risks of occurrence. This article explains the nature and cause of listeria contamination and how laws endeavour to deal with the problem and ensure food safety practices that avoid its occurrence or recurrence.

Food Law Updates Show More Info
Recent developments in food law include the passing of the new Food Standards Australia New Zealand Bill and a new court decision on restaurants and food defamation law.

OPINION: New Laws may help meet International Standards Show More Info
Australia’s food standards are a work-in-progress. But a law change passed in Federal Parliament last month may give businesses a stronger voice in controlling their costs when meeting international ‘best practice’ according to consultant Peter Gallagher of Inquit Pty Ltd in the following article by him.