Date of effect: 01 December 2021
Attention
Importers and brokers acting on behalf of importers.
Purpose
To advise importers and brokers that the Imported Food Control Order 2019 was amended on 01 December 2021.
Key points
- We have amended the Imported Food Control Order 2019 (the Order) to update food that is classified as risk food:
- Kava products are classified as risk food consistent with risk advice provided by Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
- The descriptions for current risk foods, ready-to-eat berries and ready-to-eat pomegranate arils have been updated to clarify these as either fresh or frozen, or dried. This will allow these foods to be regulated according to their characteristics and accompanying risk. This change will reduce regulatory impact for importers of dried, ready-to-eat berries from 9 November 2022, as only fresh or frozen berries and pomegranate arils, that are ready-to-eat and not retorted, will require a food safety management certificate to be imported.
- We have extended the commencement date for certain bivalve molluscs and bivalve mollusc products that must be covered by a recognised foreign government certificate by twelve months, to 9 November 2023. Refer to bivalve molluscs and bivalve mollusc products for further information.
Upcoming changes to the inspection of food
| Food | What has changed |
|---|---|
|
Kava, in the forms permitted by Standard 2.6.3 of the Food Standards Code (the Code) |
Classified as risk food. |
|
Berries that are ready-to-eat (currently a risk food) |
Classified separately as:
Only consignments of fresh or frozen, ready-to-eat berries that are not retorted, must be covered by food safety management certificates for importation. This requirement takes effect on 9 November 2022. |
|
Pomegranate arils that are ready-to-eat (currently a risk food) |
Classified separately as:
Only consignments of fresh or frozen, ready-to-eat pomegranate arils, and pomegranate seeds, that are not retorted, must be covered by food safety management certificates for importation. This requirement takes effect on 9 November 2022. |
|
Bivalve molluscs and bivalve mollusc products excluding those that are:
|
The date that consignments must be covered by a recognised foreign government certificate has been extended from 9 November 2022 to 9 November 2023. |
Instructions
- Learn more about the requirements to import food into Australia, including risk-based classification (risk or surveillance) and inspection rates, under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme.
- Find out what tests apply to risk food and surveillance food.
- Learn more about food safety management certificates.
- Learn more about foreign government certification.
Background
Food Standards Australia New Zealand provides us with advice on whether imported foods present a potential medium or high risk to public health. We use this advice to classify food in the Imported Food Control Order 2019 and apply an appropriate inspection and testing regime through the Imported Food Inspection Scheme.
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