Food Standards Australia New Zealand
International activities and engagement.
(June 2013)
Collaborating with international agencies is increasingly important as globalisation of the food supply
continues. Our international engagement has given prominence to the work of FSANZ and our
investment in international work has flow-on benefits to the Agency and its stakeholders. Networking
and sharing knowledge with international counterparts, contributes to the development of
internationally consistent standards, enhancement of FSANZ’s reputation, access to the most current
research, and intelligence on emerging food safety issues.
General overview of FSANZ’s international engagement
Collaborating with international agencies responsible for food safety is a high priority for FSANZ. We
have been engaged in international activities related to food safety for many years and continue to
identify and participate in new initiatives. While food-related risks around the world may vary, sharing
data and information on methodologies and best practices, and analysis of emerging scientific issues
can promote consistent approaches to the assessment and management of these risks. A number of
FSANZ staff participate on expert bodies of the major food-related multilateral organisations, ensuring
the international currency of FSANZ’s risk analysis work.
FSANZ regularly collaborates internationally through the following avenues:
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The Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)
The World Health Organisation of the United Nations (WHO)
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
The Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR)
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA)
Codex Alimentarius Commission
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
Food Safety Quadrilaterals Group (QUADS)
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Safety Cooperation Forum (FSCF)
Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety Expert Committee
China Centre for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) International Expert Advisory
Committee
Networks such as the International Food Chemical Safety Liaison Group (IFCSLG) and the
International Microbiological Food Safety Liaison Group (IMFSLG)
International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI)
International Health Regulations (IHR)
The International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN)
As a WHO Collaborating Centre for Food Contamination Monitoring (WHOCC)
Activities of the WHO Regional Office of the Western Pacific Region (WPRO)
Various Memoranda of Understanding with regulatory counterparts in other countries (MoUs)
Co-Chief Editor of the International Journal for Food Safety Regulatory Analysis.
Framework for international engagement
The work that FSANZ undertakes internationally, relates directly to statutory requirements in the Food
Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991. These requirements are set out in the Act as follows:
Part 1 - 2A Object of Act:
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(d) the establishment of common rules for both countries [Australia and New Zealand] and the
promotion of consistency between domestic and international food regulatory measures without
reducing the safeguards applying to public health and consumer protection
Part 2 - 7 Functions (1) The functions of the Authority are:
(d) to promote consistency between standards in Australia and New Zealand with those used
internationally, based on the best available scientific evidence
(n) to participate in international, regional and bilateral negotiations on matters that may be
included in standards
Part 2 - 10 Objectives of the Authority in developing or reviewing food regulatory measures and
variations of food regulatory measures:
(2) In developing or reviewing food regulatory measures and variations of food regulatory
measures, the Authority must also have regard to the following:
a. the promotion of consistency between domestic and international food standards
b. the desirability of an efficient and internationally competitive food industry
The FSANZ Science Strategy 2010-15 highlights the increasing importance of FSANZ’s International
work through two strategic areas:
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Building our Collaboration and International Linkages
Continue to Provide Leadership in Developing Food Regulatory Science Capacity
However for all the strategic areas covered in the science strategy, international engagement is
critical to FSANZ meeting the aims of the strategy as we would be unable to work effectively in the
field of food regulatory science without our international connections.
The FSANZ Science Strategy Implementation Plans, which are compiled annually, focus on
enhancing communications with our national and international regulatory partners, better predicting
emerging issues, ensuring our scientific skills, and food safety capacity building in the Asia-Pacific
region with our trading partners.
The ANAO Performance Audit, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (2010) recognised the value
of FSANZ participation in groups such as the Quadrilateral Group (QUADS) and membership of
international forums such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) to promote regulatory
consistency; positively influence outcomes; share information and scientific expertise with countries
that are similar to Australia; remain current with emerging food science technology and issues; and
work towards international harmonisation of its standards setting.
Benefits of international engagement
Building our Collaboration and International Linkages
Contribution to Codex, activities of the FAO and WHO are key ways we engage internationally.
FSANZ staff chair and represent Australia on various committees and are heavily involved in
preparation ahead of these meetings. FSANZ leads the Australian delegation to the following Codex
Committees:
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the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA)
the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food (CCCF)
the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH)
the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) and
the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology
For these Codex committees, FSANZ prepares the Australian brief in consultation with Codex
Australia, and input from other Australian Government agencies and stakeholders. FSANZ often has
additional roles such as chairing in-session physical working groups or electronic working groups that
undertake specific tasks between sessions. FSANZ staff prepare the delegation reports and chair pre
and post-meeting briefings with the Australian delegation members.
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FSANZ is also heavily involved in the work of some of the other Codex Committees that are led by
other Australian Government agencies, for example:
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the Codex Committee on Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS)
the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL)
the Codex Committee on General Principles (CCGP)
the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR)
the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC)
the Executive Committee of the Code Alimentarius (Exec)
Australia has worked effectively with countries that hold more polarised views and has been influential
in negotiating compromise positions.
More information on FSANZ’s involvement in Codex is available in the FSANZ Annual Report and a
complete list of Codex forums can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Forestry’s website.
FSANZ staff act as experts in FAO/WHO consultations including the development of risk
assessments for consideration at the meetings. The benefits of involvement in these consultations
include keeping abreast of the most current data, assessment methodologies, best practices, and
analysis of emerging scientific issues. FSANZ staff that attend these meetings as experts, are widely
recognised as global leaders in their area of expertise and have significant influence in advancing risk
assessments and risk assessment methodologies.
In particular, several FSANZ staff are routinely requested to participate at the yearly JECFA meetings
as experts in the fields of toxicology and dietary exposure. For example, a FSANZ staff member has
prepared the papers and led the discussions at many meetings of the JECFA and JMPR.
As a result of our direct staff involvement in these expert meetings FSANZ has timely access to
outcomes JECFA. FSANZ staff participation places Australia in a strong position to establish and
support priorities for the FAO and WHO.
Our participation in the QUADS which comprises senior officials from relevant organisations in
Australia (FSANZ, AQIS and DAFF), Canada, New Zealand and the United States, provides an
opportunity for Australia to discuss emerging issues with these partners and consider consistent
positions on Codex work. Some QUADS working groups have proven to be highly beneficial in
fostering consistency and collaboration in newer areas of food regulation such as social science and
regulatory economics research through the Quads Social Research Coordination Group, and the
Quads Food Safety Regulation Economics Working Group.
The benefits of the Codex, WHO/FAO and QUADS work includes the opportunity to influence the
development of broad risk analysis principles, development of internationally consistent standards,
enhancement of FSANZ’s reputation and standing amongst stakeholders and international peers,
access to the most current research. This work also contributes to harmonisation of international
standards which in turn may have positive impacts on trade, as well as the protection of public health
and safety.
Formalised Agreements for Information Exchange
To ensure a good working relationship with partner agencies in other countries, FSANZ has various
agreements in the form of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) or Letters of Exchange in place to
facilitate the sharing of information. For example, we now have MoUs or Letters of Exchange with the
United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA),
the Food Standards Agency of the United Kingdom (UK); the Food Safety Commission of Japan
(FSCJ), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Health Canada and the Korea Food and Drug
Administration (KFDA). These formalised agreements have proven to be highly beneficial for the
sharing of confidential information on a range of matters. For example, the arrangements enable
exchange of confidential information on research already underway or contemplated for the future,
including: literature reviews; undertaking surveys; risk assessments; and the development of risk
management and risk communication options on a range of food safety issues of mutual interest. This
exchange of information has proven absolutely critical to facilitate and prioritise the work of FSANZ
and respond to national and international food safety incidents.
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Areas where FSANZ has worked together with international agencies and leveraged off each other’s
expertise to avoid duplication of effort have included management of the melamine incident in China,
Bisphenol A (BPA), issues on weight loss foods adulterated with illegal therapeutics, and foods
contaminated with radioactivity following the Japan, Fukushima nuclear event.
International Networks
Networks such as the International Food Chemical Safety Liaison Group (IFCSLG) and the
International Microbiological Food Safety Liaison Group (IMFSLG) have proven invaluable in sharing
early copies of assessment work and fostering consistency and transparency during the management
of food incidents.
FSANZ’s designation as a WHO Collaborating Centre on Food Contamination Monitoring is a
demonstration that the Agency’s work is highly regarded and the data which FSANZ generates is
sought after by international agencies.
Continue to Provide Leadership in Developing Food Regulatory Science Capacity
FSANZ is widely recognised as a centre of excellence in food regulation. Associated with this, FSANZ
has taken a leadership role in the Asia-Pacific region by establishing collaborative relationships,
undertaking a range of capacity building activities in the region, and providing training to visiting food
safety officials. Building capacity in the area of food safety is well recognised as a key contributor to
improved public health outcomes, trade facilitation, and the economic development of countries within
the region.
The International Journal of Food Regulatory Risk Analysis
FSANZ and Health Canada Food Directorate have jointly organised the launching of a new e-journal,
the International Journal of Food Regulatory Risk Analysis, where both FSANZ and Health Canada
are Co-Chief Editors. The journal will fill a gap in sources of the literature publications of interest to
food regulation and aims at gathering reports on the latest developments in risk assessments
associated with current and emerging food chemical, microbiological and nutritional safety issues.
China Centre for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) International Expert Advisory Committee
The CFSA is the Chinese agency responsible for risk assessments of food related matters and a
range of food monitoring and surveillance activities, including the China Total Diet Survey. FSANZ
has been appointed to the CFSA’s International Expert Advisory Committee, which will provide advice
and guidance that will contribute to the enhancement of their food safety research and scientific
regulatory capacity and harmonisation of their risk analysis activities with international standards and
best practice. FSANZ membership also provides us with an opportunity to further strengthen the
already fruitful collaboration and communication Australia has with Chinese Government agencies
that have food safety responsibilities.
APEC Food Safety Partnerships
A key initiative that demonstrates FSANZ’s leadership in developing food regulatory science capacity
is the role of the FSANZ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as Co-Chair of the APEC Food Safety
Cooperation Forum (FSCF). The APEC FSCF was established in 2007, in Australia and involves the
21 APEC member economies. The APEC FSCF is recognised across the region and has raised the
profile of food safety both within individual economies and across the Asia-Pacific region. The APEC
FSCF capacity building activities have contributed to a positive change in food regulatory frameworks
and technical capacity in a number of developing countries. More information on the APEC FSCF can
be found on the FSANZ website
As Co-Chair of the APEC FSCF, FSANZ has had significant influence in advancing the goals of the
FSCF and has provided high level guidance and leadership, reflected in the growth and success of
the FSCF. Extensive collaborative relationships have been established between APEC member
economies, but also with international organisations involved in the business of food safety, such as
the WHO, FAO, ASEAN and the World Bank. In terms of food safety capacity building activities,
FSANZ has implemented a wide range of activities, on a cost-recovery basis, spanning areas such
as: developing food laws; standards and enforcement systems; risk assessment and risk
management in a range of subject areas; risk communication; managing food safety incidents; and
undertaking assessment of food safety capacity building needs.
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The APEC FSCF’s, Partnership Training Institute Network (PTIN) was created specifically to address
the need to engage the food industry and academic food safety experts with the regulators, to
strengthen capacity building in the area of food safety. This work aims to increase capacity building
activities to improve technical competence and understanding of food safety management among
stakeholders in the supply chain. More information on the FSCF PTIN can be found on the APEC
website.
Outside the APEC FSCF, FSANZ also offers food safety capacity building assistance and training, on
a cost recovery basis and is often requested to share its expertise on a range of food regulation topics
with developing countries that are advancing their national food control systems. FSANZ often hosts
international delegations from a wide variety of countries, including Japan, Saudi Arabia, Brunei,
Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia and China to exchange information on food regulation, scientific risk
assessments and risk communication. FSANZ is also hosts international representatives who are
seconded for short periods to work on specific projects.
Benefits of International Engagement to other Strategic Areas of the FSANZ Science Strategy
2010–15
A few key examples are provided below on how our international engagement has assisted FSANZ in
a range of other Strategic Areas and in some cases has been critical for the effective management of
issues.
Increasing our Scientific Capacity
Some new areas of scientific endeavour that FSANZ is embarking on involving international
partnerships include:
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investigation into the latest research on probabilistic modelling and scientific uncertainty,
including use of consistent terms to risk communicate uncertainty and measurement
uncertainty
research into the toxicity of Tutin and pyrrolidizine alkaloids using animal models in partnership
with external researchers
consumer and social science, and regulatory economics projects.
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
In the event of food incidents, established networks such as the QUADs, the IFCSLG and INFOSAN
have ensured that FSANZ’s message in relation to the incident is consistent with the communication
messages of other food regulators such as Health Canada, the UK FSA and the European
Commission.
FSANZ has been a leading partner in developing the International Food Information Council
Foundation’s website called the International Center of Excellence in Food Risk Communication. The
website at www.foodriskcommunications.org provides resources to help government officials, health
professionals, academics, food producers, journalists, the public and other stakeholders communicate
and understand concepts, practices, research, and data about food safety, nutrition and health.
The Communication Section within FSANZ also regularly meets with QUADs countries to discuss
issues of significance in communications and to share information.
Our Capacity to Identify and Respond to Emerging Issues
MoUs and Letters of Exchange with food regulatory counterparts have enabled FSANZ to receive
confidential information on food microbiological and food chemical issues with the potential to impact
on the Australian and New Zealand food supply. FSANZ staff attend international conferences and
seminars on food safety emergency response, food safety risk benefit analysis, risk communication
and risk assessment. Our networks provide an opportunity for us to readily exchange information on
emerging issues which enables forward planning and discussion within FSANZ of potential food
safety risks.
Through existing networks FSANZ keeps abreast of developments in strategic forecasting in
particular the work which is underway in the European Union (EU) to systematically mine data to
identify potential areas of food adulteration. This type of system requires extensive funding
commitment which is out of scope of FSANZ however we can benefit from this work by tapping into
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the intelligence developed through international collaboration.
Measuring our Performance through Peer Reviews
FSANZ participation in this broad range of international activities has provided the opportunity for
extensive global networking with food safety regulators, regional groups, and academia. It has
enabled FSANZ to tap into the expertise of individuals who are leaders in their field of knowledge to
peer review reports, documents, and FSANZ frameworks for undertaking risk analysis work in specific
discipline areas. The peer review process provides a reliable insight and guidance to the organisation
and ensures that outputs maintain a high quality standard.
Conclusion
FSANZ engages internationally through a diverse range of activities. The activities described above
have different purposes and meet the different needs of the Agency hence the benefits are
synonymous with the specific nature of the engagement. Beyond the specific benefits there are flowon affects to the way FSANZ does business such as facilitating the sharing of information, access to
experts across the world, networks that include contacts who can provide quick responses in
emergency situations, access to colleagues to provide peer review, opportunity for secondments and
formalisation of existing working relationships. These benefits all contribute to improving the quality,
efficiency and effectiveness of FSANZ’s work.
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