Foreword (May 2020)
By Joe Lederman
(FoodLegal Chairperson), John Thisgaard and Jenny Awad (FoodLegal Bulletin
Co-Editors)
Welcome to the May 2020 edition of
FoodLegal Bulletin!
In this May 2020 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.
Our second FREE
article “MaximumResidue Limits: Is FSANZ endorsement of Codex MRLs right or wrong?” raises
concerns about the potential effects of a FSANZ proposal to consider a default to
automatic harmonisation with international MRLs.
Our article “When can a food
description become a protected Geographical Indicator?” explores the
questions surrounding how and when a food description can obtain international
protection as a Geographical Indicator, addressing the current international dispute
in the prosecco scenario as a case study.
Our article “Proposed draft
changes for Australian export rules for meat and meat products” addresses
how proposed amendments might apply to the export of Australian meat and meat
products, and explores how the Government proposes to address some of the
previous submissions from stakeholders.
In the context
of various consumer trends towards plant-based foods and raw and natural
products, the article “Natural toxic and
antinutrient compounds in plants and processing steps to eliminate them”
by FoodLegal Scientist Rozita Vaskoska examines the natural toxicities in many
plant foods. Food regulators might need to give greater attention to inform
consumers of these additional health and safety risks.
Our article “Victoria’s proposed
Container Deposit Scheme and other waste management initiatives” considers
how the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme fits in with other Victorian waste
management initiatives. The article considers other opportunities in the food
product packaging regulatory environment, and how the proposed Victorian scheme
will operate in conjunction with the Container Deposit Schemes of other
Australian jurisdictions.
We hope you
enjoy this May 2020 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 6 May 2020. 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.