Imported food surveys and reviews

Review of the tests applied to imported seafood

The Australian Government’s 2007 policy document titled ‘Labor’s plan for sustainable fisheries’ included a commitment to undertake a review of:

• the provisions of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) that are relevant to seafood; and
• the current testing protocols for imported seafood products.

The review of the provisions of the Code was addressed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).  FSANZ concluded that the standards in the Code are scientifically robust and provide the appropriate level of protection for Australian consumers of seafood.

To progress the second part of the policy AQIS engaged CSIRO Food Science Australia to review of the current testing protocols for imported seafood products.  CSIRO Food Science Australia was provided with background information from the AQIS Imported Food Program including legislation, testing protocols, test results, details for industry and government stakeholders and a copy of the FSANZ review.

Download

• CSIRO Food Science Australia report Review of the Current Testing Protocols for Imported Seafood Products  PDF [125kb]   Word [475kb]
  
• Addendum to the CSIRO Food Science Australia report Review of the Current Testing Protocols for Imported Seafood Products
• AQIS response to the CSIRO Food Science Australia report Review of the Current Testing Protocols for Imported Seafood Products
• FSANZ report Review of Provisions in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code as they relate to Imported Seafood

If you require further information, please contact:

Imported Food Program
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
GPO Box 858
Canberra, ACT 2601
Telephone: +61 2 6272 5488
Fax: +61 2 6272 5423
E-mail: Food Imports

Imported food surveys

In addition to the routine testing of imported food conducted as part of the Imported Food Inspection Scheme, AQIS conducts additional testing of imported food through survey work. The surveys aim to gather information to inform the risk assessment processes undertaken by Food Standards Australia New Zealand, and to provide data to assist in determining the most appropriate routine testing of imported food.

AQIS, in conjunction with state and territory food regulatory authorities, participate in nationally coordinate surveys under the Implementation Sub Committee (ISC) Food Surveillance Network.

ISC is a sub-committee of the Food Regulation Standing Committee and its role is to develop and oversee a consistent approach across jurisdictions to the implementation and enforcement of food regulations and standards, regardless of whether food is sourced from domestic producers, export registered establishments or from imports.

• Imported horticultural products survey
• Imported seafood survey
• Imported spices survey