A project is underway to include imported food safety requirements into our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON). Currently this system only includes the biosecurity import conditions for commodities regulated under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
Under the Imported Food Control Act 1992 we also regulate food that is imported for sale to check it is safe and meets Australia’s food standards via the Imported Food Inspection Scheme. Food safety requirements are currently available from department webpages - Import requirements by food type.
In BICON the imported food safety requirements will mirror the layout of existing biosecurity import conditions. After searching the food in the quick search field and answering several questions, a food safety requirements case will be provided with information about:
- whether the food is permitted
- how the food is classified (risk or surveillance)
- the supporting documentation required
- the analytical tests that may apply to the food and the permitted limits
- the obligations at an imported food inspection
- how to book a laboratory to test the food.
It will be easy to navigate between the biosecurity import conditions and the food safety requirements, where these exist, by clicking on a single toggle.
Project benefits
Food importers, brokers and trading partners will benefit from this project by having:
- easier access to information about our border requirements for imported food with the biosecurity and imported food safety requirements housed in one database
- reduced delays at the border as information will be available from a single source and will be easier to understand
- improved delivery of service by the department and improved ability to train new department biosecurity and imported food staff.
The project is expected to be completed in 2025. Further information will be published as the project progresses.
Version history
| Date | Amendment details |
|---|---|
| 29/07/2024 | First version of the webpage published on website. |