A bulletin for the Australian Food Industry November 1997
Contents: Food Science Australia | Hand drying and hygiene | BSE and humans | Food regulation review | Cadmium in foods | Microbiological criteria for foods | New regulation for gene technology
New regulation for gene technology
In a joint statement at the end of October, the Federal Ministers for Primary Industry and Energy, the Environment, and Industry, Science and Tourism announced an outline of new regulations to cover gene technology in Australia.
The Government has introduced a package of measures designed to provide appropriate regulation.
The aim of the package is to improve the regulatory framework for gene technology products using existing mechanisms as far as possible. This would mean that ANZFA continues to regulate foods while other bodies such as the National Registration Authority, Therapeutic Goods Administration and National Health and Medical Research Council will continue to regulate in other specific areas. However a new Gene Technology Office will be set up to coordinate approval processes as well as undertake risk assessment of products which fall outside the scope of other authorities.
At this stage the initiative does not appear to have any direct implications for the food industry. The Government has given the Department of Industry, Science and Tourism six months to develop a more detailed proposal following consultation with States and other stakeholders.
Contact: Cheryl Cartwright, Office of Minister for Industry, Science and Tourism, 02 6277 7580
Food Science Australia
PO Box 52, North Ryde 1670. Tel +61 2 9490 8397 Fax +61 2 9490 8499
Email enquiries@csiro.au