30 June 2016
Who does this notice affect?
This notice is of interest to brokers and importers of cheese under Tariff Code 0406: Cheese and Curd.
When does this notice take effect?
These profiling changes will come into effect Monday 11 July 2016.
What has changed?
On 9 May 2016, changes were made to cheese classified as risk under the Imported Food Control Act 1992. Imported Food Notice ‘IFN 06-16 Tests applied to risk food’ was published to advise importers and brokers of the changes.
The relevant Community Protection (CP) questions will now be amended to reflect these changes and accurately describe cheese that is classified as risk. Importers must provide brokers with manufacturer’s information to be able to answer the CP question correctly.
Details of the changes
Cheese in which growth of Listeria monocytogenes can occur
Previously all soft, semi-soft, fresh cheese etc were classified as risk food and 100 per cent of consignments were referred to the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS). Based on the new criteria, some of these cheese types may no longer be classified as risk food and the referral rate to the IFIS will reduce from 100 per cent to five per cent. The department’s webpage on this cheese describes cheese that is classified as risk food to assist brokers in answering the new CP question correctly.
This CP question will be changed from:
IFIS: ARE THE GOODS SOFT CHEESE, SEMI SOFT CHEESE, SURFACE RIPENED CHEESE, SOFT-SMOKED CHEESE, FRESH CHEESE, FRESH CURD CHEESE OR FRESH WHEY CHEESE?
To:
IFIS: ARE THE GOODS CHEESE IN WHICH GROWTH OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES CAN OCCUR? SEARCH ‘CHEESE IN WHICH GROWTH CAN OCCUR’ AT WWW.AGRICULTURE.GOV.AU FOR MORE INFORMATION
Raw milk cheese
The department has recently classified raw milk cheese as a risk food and 100 per cent of consignments will be referred to the IFIS. There is some confusion between the definition of raw milk cheese and the use of the term ‘raw milk’ on documentation and certificates. To assist brokers in answering the new CP question correctly, the question now includes a reference to the definition of raw milk cheese on the department’s website.
This lodgement question will be changed from:
IFIS: ARE THE GOODS RAW MILK CHEESE THAT HAS NOT UNDERGONE A HEAT TREATMENT STEP DURING PRODUCTION? REFER TO STANDARD 4.2.4 CLAUSE 16 OF THE AUSTRALIAN NEW ZEALAND FOOD STANDARDS CODE.
To:
IFIS: ARE THE GOODS RAW MILK CHEESE THAT HAS NOT UNDERGONE A HEAT TREATMENT STEP DURING PRODUCTION? SEARCH ‘RAW MILK CHEESE’ AT WWW.AGRICULTURE.GOV.AU FOR MORE INFORMATION
Further information?
For further information, please email Imported Food Enquiries at foodimp or phone 1800 900 090.