Australia’s high-quality, world-recognised food producers need to be protected from the increasing threat of ‘fake’ foods being marketed as real food.
Deputy Leader of the Nationals and Chair of the Australia New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation, Senator Bridget McKenzie said that today that the Forum has requested the Food Regulation Standing Committee to develop an options paper covering labelling, standards and other elements for consideration at the May 2019 meeting.
"Recent cases of ‘fake’ foods reflect increasing concerns that the current food standards code is not keeping pace with developments in food manufacturing," Minister McKenzie said.
"We need to tackle this issue and the first step is a broad review of the code to ensure they are fit for purpose. We need to ensure our farmers are respected as well as consumers by way of having correct, accurate and transparent information on the products they buy."
"I am pleased to say that all voting members of the Forum agreed with the request and we look forward to considering any improvements to the legislation."
The Forum is made up of federal, state and territory and New Zealand Ministers with responsibility for food regulation.
"It is critical that our primary producers have full confidence that their quality products are not being undermined by impure or adulterated merchandise," Minister McKenzie said.
While it certainly isn’t the Government’s job to dictate what people eat, we do have a role to ensure robust and transparent standards that provides confidence for consumers, and protects our food industries."
