Frequently Asked Questions

Q1	Where can I find out what ingredients I can put in a food and what has to go on the label?
A1	All food sold in Australia has to comply with the local Food Act in the State or Territory in which its being sold and with Nationally agreed Food Standards published in the Australia New Zealand Foods Standards Code by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). At Brooke-Taylor & Co we're experts on the Food Standards Code. We can help you find your way around the relevant regulations , assist you in compliance and even prepare & submit applications to FSANZ to vary or amend the Code on your behalf. How can we help you?
Q2	Is my new food/ingredient a novel food and do I have to get it approved?
A2	All novel foods are required to undergo pre-market approval but a new food or ingredient isn't novel just because it's new. Your new food or ingredient is only novel when it has: a: no significant history of consumption in Australia or New Zealand, AND b: characteristics and/or patterns of use raising questions about its safety, which warrant Authorities undertaking a health and safety assessment Talk to us about how Brooke-Taylor & Co can assist you in preparing a new food or new ingredient report to determine whether it has a relevant history of safe human consumption, help you seek an opinion from the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Novel Foods Advisory Panel or even prepare and submit an application for approval of a novel food on your behalf.
Q3	I want to import a new food product from overseas. Can you help me with the nutrition panel and ingredient list?
A3	Yes we can. If you know all the ingredients, have a US or EU nutrition panel and a copy of your proposed label, conversion to the ANZ format is very straightforward. Ask us for a quote.
Q4	Is the US Nutrition Facts panel OK?
A4	No, the label needs a Nutrition Information Panel in the specified ANZ format. How can we help you?
Q5	Its too difficult for the manufacturer to change the label can I still import the food anyway?
A5	AQIS inspects imported food under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme for compliance with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. 100% of medium and high risk foods are referred for inspection. In addition, 5% of all other foods are randomly chosen for inspection. You might slip through but if your food fails inspection because of a non-complying label, you could face the cost of relabelling it or even find the consignment rejected. Once in Australia, the food may be subject inspection by State, Territory or local government officials and you could be instructed to withdraw or even recall it if there are significant labelling defects, such as non-declaration of an allergen. At Brooke-Taylor & Co we can help you get the label right before you run into trouble. How can we help you?
Q6	I can't find all the ingredients in the Food Standards Code
A6	Not all food ingredients are listed in the Code. Also there are often a number of synonyms for food additives and the name used overseas may not be the same as the name we use here in Australia. How can we help you?
Q7	What about allergen labelling?
A7	You must identify any of the allergens listed in the Food Standards Code if they or anything processed from them is present because its been intentionally added to a food. You may also want to consider precautionary labelling for allergens present due to cross-contact, because for example they are handled in the same production facility. At Brooke-Taylor & Co we're experts in Allergen Labelling.
Q8	What Vitamins and Minerals can I add to my food?
A8	That depends on what your food is. The ANZ Food Standards Code is very specific about which vitamins and minerals may be added to food and the foods they may be added to. How can we help you?
Q9	My new food is really healthy what can I say about it on the label?
A9	The ANZ Food Standards Code does not allow therapeutic or prophylatic claims on food and has very strict rules about when you may and may not make claims on food labels and in advertising relating to health and nutrition. How can we help you?