09 June 2022
Who does this notice affect?
Food importers and brokers acting on behalf of food importers.
What is changing?
Food importers are reminded that all food imported as food intended for sale is subject to biosecurity import conditions under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and food safety requirements under the Imported Food Control Act 1992.
BICON houses the biosecurity import conditions that all imported food must first meet. Food safety requirements are currently published on the department's website.
The department has commenced a project to incorporate imported food safety requirements into BICON. These requirements will be published alongside biosecurity import conditions. The project is expected to be completed in early 2024.
What is driving this?
Publishing information in the BICON database for both sets of requirements will provide:
- easier access to information for all stakeholders (brokers, importers, staff) as biosecurity import conditions and imported food requirements will be housed in one database
- reduced delays at the border due to misunderstanding of imported food requirements
- improved delivery of service.
How industry can help
In the interim, food importers and brokers are reminded to check the following for the food they import:
- Biosecurity import conditions in BICON; and
- Imported food requirements on the department’s website.
Currently BICON cases, for commodities with a human consumption end use, advise importers to check imported food requirements. Links are provided to information about the Imported Food Inspection Scheme including mandatory certification requirements for beef and raw milk cheese.
Beef and beef products require mandatory foreign government certification to meet Australia’s strict food safety requirements for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy. These requirements are in addition to the requirements under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and are not included on the biosecurity import permit.
Raw milk cheese also requires mandatory foreign government certification to be imported.
Further information
For further information please visit Importing food into Australia or contact the Imported Food section foodimp@awe.gov.au
Check our imported food notices for updates on imported food requirements.