FSANZ(FSANZ)
Definition
Food Standards Australia New Zealand — the regulatory body that develops and maintains the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code governing food labelling, safety, and composition.
Regulatory Source
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth)— The Act that establishes FSANZ as the bi-national statutory authority responsible for developing and maintaining the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code
Last verified against current standards: April 2026
Regulatory authority: Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
What is FSANZ?
FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) is the statutory authority responsible for developing food standards for Australia and New Zealand. It maintains the Food Standards Code, which sets requirements for food labelling, composition, safety, and primary production.
FSANZ does not enforce the Code — enforcement is the responsibility of state and territory food authorities in Australia and the Ministry for Primary Industries in New Zealand.
Key Standards Relevant to Food Manufacturers
- Standard 1.2.1: Requirements for labelling and information provision
- Standard 1.2.3: Mandatory allergen declaration requirements
- Standard 1.2.7: Nutrition, health, and related claims
- Standard 1.2.8: Nutrition information panels (NIPs)
- Standard 1.2.10: Percentage labelling (characterising ingredients)
- Standard 1.2.11: Country of origin labelling
Why FSANZ Matters for Food Manufacturers
All food sold in Australia must comply with the Food Standards Code. Non-compliance can result in product recalls, regulatory penalties, and legal liability.
Related Terms
Allergen Declaration
A mandatory label statement identifying the presence of priority allergens in a food product, required under FSANZ Standard 1.2.3 of the Food Standards Code.
Food Standards Code
The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code — the collection of standards governing food composition, labelling, safety, and production maintained by FSANZ.
Nutrition Information Panel
A mandatory table on packaged food labels in Australia displaying the average quantity of energy, protein, fat, saturated fat, carbohydrate, sugars, and sodium per serve and per 100g or 100mL.