Regulator seeks opinions on a raft of new food safety proposals

The regulator first invited opinions on the wine application in a bid to limit “stuck fermentations​”, which is allowed in other wine-making countries. 

The Winemakers’ Federation of Australia applied for the change, arguing that stuck fermentations can occur when too much sugar is found in the grape juice. 

“The application states that due to climate change and reduced harvesting seasons, this is occurring more often and that adding water to the grape juice will reduce the level of sugars​,” said Fsanz chief executive Steve McCutcheon. 

“We are proposing to set a limit on the amount that can be added so a certain level of sugars must be maintained. Similar levels are in place in the United States​.” 

It has also called for submissions on an application to permit irradiation of blueberries and raspberries to control pests.

McCutcheon said the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries had applied for permission to use the technique as an alternative treatment to chemicals. 

“We has reviewed the evidence on the safety of these irradiated fruits and found they are safe to eat​,” he said. 

“The literature also shows the level of irradiation being proposed won’t reduce the nutritional quality of the fruits​.” 

Food irradiation is used in more than 50 countries to destroy bacteria and pests and to extend the shelf life of food. It has been used to treat food including fruits since the late 1950s. 

“All irradiated foods must be labelled with a statement that the food, ingredients or components have been treated with ionising radiation​,” said McCutcheon. 

“In December 2011, the ministers responsible for food regulation supported a recommendation from an independent review of food labelling to review the mandatory labelling of irradiated food. Ministers have asked FSANZ to do this work. This review is underway​.” 

Meanwhile, Fsanz has assessed an application from a private company to use propionates to control Listeria monocytogenes. 

Propionates are currently approved for use in Australian and New Zealand as preservatives in a range of other food products, including bread, fruit and vegetable spreads and sauces. 

“Fsanz’s safety assessment has identified no public health and safety concerns for consumers​,” said McCutcheon. 

The regulator is also turning its attention to an application to extend the current permission for the use of L-cysteine monohydrochloride to treat peeled and/or cut avocados and bananas. 

The food additive, which is currently approved for use in root and tuber vegetables, would be used to extend the shelf life of such products by limiting enzymatic browning. 

Again, Fsanz does not believe the move would raise any public health or safety concerns, based on its assessment.

All decisions by Fsanz on standards are notified to ministers responsible for food regulation. The ministers can decide to adopt, amend, or reject standards or they can ask for a review. 

The closing date for each of these submissions is August 10.