
Foreword (December 2019 - January 2020 bumper edition) By Joe Lederman (FoodLegal Chairperson), John Thisgaard and Jenny Awad (FoodLegal Bulletin Co-Editors) Welcome to the December 2019 - January 2020 bumper edition of FoodLegal Bulletin! In this December 2019 - January 2020 bumper edition of FoodLegal Bulletin Our FREE article “Current developments in food law and policy in Australia and elsewhere” provides this month’s update on new regulatory developments and scientific developments that impact food producers and suppliers, beginning with Australia, but also internationally. In our second FREE article “Permission vs Forgiveness: A case study on the cost of compliance” FoodLegal Principal Charles Fisher explores the benefits a food business can achieve by investing in product compliance upfront, as opposed to dealing with regulators later down the track. One of the biggest food marketing trends to arise in the past few years has been to convey the premium nature of a product and appeal to consumers’ desire for simplicity by emphasising “artisanal” aspects. Our article “The law of ‘artisanal’ claims in Australia” examines the regulatory framework surrounding “artisanal-style” claims, and takes a look at some of the more popular claims to highlight the regulatory issues to consider. A new mandatory Dairy Code has been introduced by the Australian Federal Government. Our article “The impact of the new mandatory Dairy Code of Conduct for Australian food businesses” examines the scope and likely impact of the new Dairy Code of Conduct. Our article “Food regulators signal actions on Health Star Rating, food framework and plant-based descriptors” considers the issues considered at the latest meeting of Australian food ministers and provides an analysis of the potential regulatory implications for Australia’s food sector. Australia’s trade measurement regulations require most food products to display a statement of measurement. Our article “Do you always need a trade measurement statement indicating product ‘weight’?” explores various scenarios where a trade measurement statement might not be required or might be declarable in other formats. Our article “Does a food business need to renew its systematic review for a self-substantiated health claim?” addresses the existence and extent of any requirement to maintain and update substantiation evidence in considering the role of self-substantiation in Australia’s health claim regulatory framework. Our article “The global regulation of maximum residue limits” explores how residue limits are regulated within Australia and the implications of Australia’s international agreements as a member of the World Trade Organization. We hope you enjoy this December 2019-January 2020 “bumper edition” of FoodLegal Bulletin! Joe Lederman, John Thisgaard and Jenny Awad Editors FoodLegal Bulletin This is general information rather than legal advice and is current as of 17 Dec 2019. We therefore recommend you seek legal advice for your particular circumstances if you want to rely on advice or information to be a basis for any commercial decision-making by you or your business.

Foreword (December 2019 - January 2020 bumper edition)

By Joe Lederman (FoodLegal Chairperson), John Thisgaard and Jenny Awad (FoodLegal Bulletin Co-Editors)

Welcome to the December 2019 - January 2020 bumper edition of FoodLegal Bulletin!

In this December 2019 - January 2020 bumper edition of FoodLegal Bulletin

Our FREE article “Current developments in food law and policy in Australia and elsewhere” provides this month’s update on new regulatory developments and scientific developments that impact food producers and suppliers, beginning with Australia, but also internationally.

In our second FREE article “Permission vs Forgiveness: A case study on the cost of compliance” FoodLegal Principal Charles Fisher explores the benefits a food business can achieve by investing in product compliance upfront, as opposed to dealing with regulators later down the track.

One of the biggest food marketing trends to arise in the past few years has been to convey the premium nature of a product and appeal to consumers’ desire for simplicity by emphasising “artisanal” aspects. Our article “The law of ‘artisanal’ claims in Australia” examines the regulatory framework surrounding “artisanal-style” claims, and takes a look at some of the more popular claims to highlight the regulatory issues to consider.

A new mandatory Dairy Code has been introduced by the Australian Federal Government. Our article “The impact of the new mandatory Dairy Code of Conduct for Australian food businesses” examines the scope and likely impact of the new Dairy Code of Conduct.

Our article “Food regulators signal actions on Health Star Rating, food framework and plant-based descriptors” considers the issues considered at the latest meeting of Australian food ministers and provides an analysis of the potential regulatory implications for Australia’s food sector.

Australia’s trade measurement regulations require most food products to display a statement of measurement. Our article “Do you always need a trade measurement statement indicating product ‘weight’?” explores various scenarios where a trade measurement statement might not be required or might be declarable in other formats.

Our article “Does a food business need to renew its systematic review for a self-substantiated health claim?” addresses the existence and extent of any requirement to maintain and update substantiation evidence in considering the role of self-substantiation in Australia’s health claim regulatory framework.

Our article “The global regulation of maximum residue limits” explores how residue limits are regulated within Australia and the implications of Australia’s international agreements as a member of the World Trade Organization.

We hope you enjoy this December 2019-January 2020 “bumper edition” of FoodLegal Bulletin!

Joe Lederman, John Thisgaard and Jenny Awad

Editors

FoodLegal Bulletin

This is general information rather than legal advice and is current as of 17 Dec 2019. We therefore recommend you seek legal advice for your particular circumstances if you want to rely on advice or information to be a basis for any commercial decision-making by you or your business.