Food
AQIS is responsible for administering two sets of requirements with which imported food must comply. The first set of requirements address quarantine concerns. The second set of requirements address food safety and are those set out in the Imported Food Control Act 1992.
Food must first meet quarantine requirements, otherwise it will not be permitted into Australia. Only once imported food has cleared quarantine are the food safety requirements applied.
Quarantine
The Quarantine Act 1908 requires that all imports of food comply with the quarantine conditions for their import. Quarantine restrictions apply to many raw foods and certain processed foods brought through the airport or mailed to Australia for private use. The following items are restricted:
- eggs and egg products
- dairy products
- uncanned meat
- seeds and nuts
- fresh fruit and vegetables
Commercial importers of food such as fresh fruit and vegetables or food containing milk, egg, meat or other animal products will need to obtain an import permit prior to importing the food. You can do initial checks for quarantine requirements by searching the Import Conditions Database (ICON). For more information contact your nearest AQIS office.
Food safety
Like food that is produced domestically, food that is imported into Australia must meet Australian food standards. The food safety of imported food is a responsibility shared across many government agencies, including those at local, state, territory and federal levels.
The food regulatory system in Australia
Policy decisions about food are made by the Australia New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council which is chaired by the Minister for Health and Ageing. This council, which includes Ministers for each state and territory government and the New Zealand government, receives policy advice from the Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC). This committee is chaired by the Department of Health and Ageing. Relevant officials from state and territory and New Zealand food regulatory agencies are also represented on this committee.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is the government body responsible for developing and maintaining the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. Australian law requires all food to meet the food safety standards set out in the Food Standards Code. The Food Standards Code applies to all food offered for sale in Australia, whether produced domestically or imported.
FSANZ monitors food safety incidents worldwide and provides advice to the AQIS on monitoring and testing imported food. FSANZ advises AQIS when food poses a medium-high risk to human health and on appropriate testing. It also provides risk assessment advice to state and territory regulators, who are responsible for all food at point of sale, including imported food.
More information about the food regulation system in Australia.
Role of AQIS on imported food safety
AQIS's role on imported food safety is part of a broader food regulatory system as discussed above.
Food entering Australia is subject to the Imported Food Control Act 1992, which provides for the inspection and control of imported food using a risk-based border inspection program, the AQIS Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS). FSANZ advises AQIS on the risk categorisation of foods for inspection under the IFIS.
Role of state and territory authorities
In addition to the inspection activity undertaken by AQIS at the border, state and territory authorities have responsibility for all food, including imported food, that is available for sale. Each state and territory authority has its own food legislation, which is based on the national Model Food Act developed by FSANZ and endorsed by the ANZFRMC. State and territory action on food is different from, but complementary to, that which occurs under the IFIS. On matters involving imported foods that AQIS has not inspected or that have been found later not to be compliant, FSANZ, AQIS and the state and territory authorities work closely to address them.
Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA)
Under the Imported Food Control Act 1992, random and active surveillance category food from New Zealand are exempt from the IFIS as these come under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement (TTMRA).
Australia and New Zealand are jointly working to reduce the remaining barriers to trade in food in line with the TTMRA principles. This work is being done by officials from AQIS, FSANZ and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.
The only New Zealand foods that are subject to inspection at the border are those classified as risk category foods. Equivalence determination of food safety systems covering dairy products was reached in 2007, enabling dairy products to be brought under the TTMRA and the removal of border inspection for these products. Each remaining risk food is now being assessed for equivalence of the food safety management systems in each country.