What You Need to Know About the Food Standards Code

What is the Food Standards Code?

The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code is a comprehensive framework that establishes the legal requirements for products manufactured, sold, or imported into Australia, Australian states and territories, and New Zealand. This Code was developed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), previously known as the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA). Its purpose is to protect public health and ensure consumers can trust that all food products meet strict safety and quality standards.

Main Objectives

The FSANZ standards code provides clear guidelines for food safety across different food categories, such as:

• Food Labelling and Packaging: Provide essential information on food packaging to support consumer awareness and prevent misleading claims.

• Allergen Information: Require prominent identification of common allergens to reduce health risks for sensitive individuals.

• Food Safety and Processing: Define hygienic practices and control measures to maintain the integrity and safety of food from production to consumption.

Who Should Follow the Food Standards Code?

Any business producing, handling, or selling food in Australia is legally required to comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The Code mandates that food businesses implement systems to prevent contamination and train their staff in food safety procedures.

Additionally, on December 8, 2022, a new annex to Food Standards 3.2 2 was introduced: Food Standards Code 3.2 2A, also known as the Standard for Food Safety Management Tools. This extension classifies food businesses based on the type of operations they perform. These categories include:

• Category 1: Businesses like restaurants, caterers, and takeaway outlets that handle high-risk, ready-to-eat food and need to keep it at safe temperatures

• Category 2: Retail food businesses like delicatessens, convenience stores, and market stalls that handle mostly pre-packaged food or require minimal preparation of high-risk items

Food Standards Code Chapters

The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code divides food regulation into four chapters, each addressing a specific aspect of food regulation across the supply chain. These chapters are:

Chapter 1: General Food Requirements

This chapter outlines the foundational standards for all food sold in Australia and New Zealand. It covers essential topics like ingredient labeling, permitted additives, microbiological criteria, and rules related to genetically modified food.

Chapter 2: Specific Food Standards

Here, you’ll find detailed guidelines for individual food types. These standards apply to categories such as dairy, meat, seafood, cereals, beverages, and other common food products, ensuring each meets safety and quality benchmarks.

Chapter 3: Food Safety Standards

Applicable only to Australian food businesses, this chapter focuses on safe food handling within commercial settings. It includes protocols for hygiene, food preparation, staff training, and temperature control from the kitchen to the consumer.

Chapter 4: Primary Production and Processing

This chapter sets out the standards for the initial stages of the food supply chain, from farm to processing. It applies solely to Australia and includes requirements for sanitation, waste management, and production practices in sectors like meat, dairy, and horticulture.

Food Standards Enforcement

While FSANZ jointly develops the Food Standards Code, the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 is the legislative framework’s foundation.

Adherence to the Code is managed separately in Australia and New Zealand. Each country has its systems and agencies to ensure compliance and maintain food safety standards within its jurisdiction.

Australia

In Australia, the state and territory governments ensure food businesses comply with the Code through local health departments and safety agencies, which conduct inspections, issue notices, and investigate incidents.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry oversees imported food nationally, ensuring it meets Australian standards through risk assessments and border sampling.

Additional agencies involved in upholding food safety include:

• Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA): The agency regulates therapeutic claims and related products used in food.

• Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA): The agency oversees the safe use of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in food production.

New Zealand

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) enforces the Code in New Zealand. MPI monitors compliance across the entire food supply chain—from production to retail—by conducting audits, food safety checks, and public health investigations.

Public health units also oversee food handling practices at the local level, working in collaboration with MPI to address non-compliance and respond to food safety issues.

How to Ensure Compliance with the Food Standards Code

Failing to comply with the FSANZ Food Standards Code can lead to product recalls, fines of up to $275,000, and potential liability claims if consumers experience health issues from non-compliant products.

To avoid these serious consequences and protect your business, it’s essential to follow best practices for food safety and regulatory compliance. Here are some steps you can take:

• Establish Enterprise-Wide Audit Programs: Large food chains regularly audit their processes, covering everything from warehousing and distribution to in-store food handling. These audits, conducted by internal teams and third-party inspectors, help identify risks, check procedures, and ensure compliance with regulations.

• Implement Tiered Training Frameworks: Invest in training systems that work for all roles, from frontline staff to operations managers. These programs often include e-learning modules, refresher courses, and on-site workshops to ensure employees understand their legal responsibilities under the Code.

• Leverage Regulatory Advisory Partnerships: Work with regulatory experts when launching new products or entering new markets. They help you navigate compliance requirements specific to each region and ensure your product formulations, labels, and claims meet all necessary regulations.

• Maintain Centralized Compliance Records: Use digital compliance systems to manage safety audits, training logs, corrective actions, and product labeling updates. These records ensure traceability and are essential for inspections, investigations, or product recalls.

• Regularly Review Risk Coverage Policies: Regularly review and update your insurance policies. Make sure they cover foodborne illness outbreaks, recall costs, and supply chain disruptions to protect your business from major financial risks.