We all know that appropriate nutrition is needed for good health and general wellbeing. Most of us generally make an effort to achieve at ‘healthy’ diet however figuring out exactly what this entails can be confusing. There certainly is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition;consideration needs to be given to allergies, intolerances, nutrient requirements, as well as a host of social, cultural and personal factors. If it wasn’t hard enough negotiating these elements in deciding what is ‘best’ for you and your family, there is a plethora of information (much of it conflicting) available to flounder your way through. Quiet clearly this can be very overwhelming and a big stumbling block in your journey to a healthy lifestyle. Fortunately in Australia and New Zealand there is a governing body, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), which regulates food production, labelling, hygiene, agricultural residue, food surveillance and recalls. Specifically FSANZ oversees the development and administer of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code), which details the requirements of foods in terms of additives, labelling and Genetically Modified foods. Having this code enforced assures the quality and standard of products produced, imported and sold in Australia. The FSANZ code is very detailed, but here are some key elements which will assist you navigate your way through this nutrition and information minefield. Remember, much of the information available on the internet is sourced from America (or sourced from a source from America), and doesn’t necessarily reflect the standards of Australia and New Zealand. Products must be labelled in accordance with the FSANZ code and include appropriate declarations and warnings, such as “this product is not suitable as a complete milk food for children under 5 years” or warnings such as, contains sulphites, gluten, egg, or nuts, as known allergens. All ingredients, including additives, must be listed in descending order (the largest by weight first, with the exception of flavourings and added water). Additives can only be added to food in order to achieve an identified technological function according to Good Manufacturing Practice, such as extend shelf life, improved taste or appearance. · Although some additives are known to cause adverse reactions in people who are sensitive, all additives undergo a safety assessment before being approved for use in Australia and New Zealand and are considered safe for the general population. Genetically Modified foods, ingredients, additives and processing aids must be labelled as such and before being permitted in the food supply must be deemed safe by FSANZ standards. Currently the only Genetically Modified produce approved in Australia is soybean, canola, corn, potato, sugarbeet, cotton, wheat, rice and Lucerne (hay).
Being informed about the regulations which govern the food supply helps clear some of the confusion around these contentious issues, helps you make informed decisions, and can help you interpret nutritional information more critically. If you would like more on these topic, have a look at: FSANZ Better Health Channel: Food additives Better Health Channel: Genetically Modified Foods Better Health Channel: Food Labels Explained A late article entrant, but I found it none the less: http://www.abc.net.au/health/features/stories/2013/02/14/3684208.htm#.URyGwWfciH8
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AuthorNikki is a PhD qualified Nutritionist and an expert in children's eating. Categories
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