Foreword (April 2021)

Foreword

By Joe Lederman (FoodLegal Chairperson), John Thisgaard and Jenny Awad (FoodLegal Bulletin Co-Editors)

Welcome to the April 2021 edition of FoodLegal Bulletin!

 

1.     Plain English Allergen Labelling

New Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL) requirements have come into effect. FoodLegal conducts private training for food companies in the new PEAL requirements, and can provide consulting services or training on request.

 

2.     In this April 2021 edition of FoodLegal Bulletin

Our FREE article “Current developments in food law and policy in Australia and overseas” provides this month’s update on new regulatory developments and scientific developments that impact food producers and suppliers, beginning with Australia, but also internationally.

Our second FREE article “Time to review the role of dietary histamine in the food allergy and intolerance debate” by FoodLegal Scientist Dr. Rozita Vaskoska reviews the role of histamine in the human body, the symptoms of histamine poisoning and intolerance, the presence of histamine in certain foods, the limited impact of current processing histamine levels, and other issues.

Our article “How the National Plastics Plan and single-use plastic bans could shape plastic use” details the National Plastics Plan announced in March 2021 and the single-plastic bans being implemented in Australian States.

New allergen laws which took effect in February 2021 require the declaration of individual tree nuts. Our article “Tree nuts and the PEAL allergen labelling variation: Legal and scientific considerations” analyses the changes and considers the ramifications.

Our article “The problem for food packaging innovations against the existing constraints of Australian food labelling compliance regulation” by addresses the current food regulatory framework in Australia and New Zealand regarding innovative technologies technologies associated with food labels, including multi page labelling, QR code and other forms of electronic labelling, edible labels, intelligent labels and further new formats, and the need to review current legal gaps and consider new opportunities and traps for unwary food companies.

Our article “When might a government agency be compelled to accept liability for adverse effects that result from a mandatory obligation?” explores the issue of government liability in the context of a case brought by kiwi farmers in New Zealand.

We hope you enjoy this April 2021 edition of FoodLegal Bulletin!

Joe Lederman, John Thisgaard and Jenny Awad

Editors
FoodLegal Bulletin


This is general information rather than legal advice and is current as of 30 Oct 2021. We therefore recommend you seek legal advice for your particular circumstances if you want to rely on advice or information to be a basis for any commercial decision-making by you or your business.