ANZFA

(Australia New Zealand Food Authority)

 APPLICATION A413

REQUEST TO INCLUDE HERBS, SPICES, NUTS, OILSEEDS AND TEAS

IN STANDARD A17:
IRRADIATION OF FOOD IN THE AUSTRALIAN FOOD STANDARDS CODE

 There are two stages of public consultation which form part of the application review process, in regard to Steritech Pty. Ltd.'s abovementioned application.  The first stage has closed. 

As at March 22, ANZFA state it will be July, 2001 before the second stage commences.

Please check the ANZFA website on a regular basis to ensure that the second round of public consultation is not brought forward. The website address is www.anzfa.gov.au.  Use their search facility to find "food irradiation" as it is not shown on their home page.  Check also the last day for lodging your objections and the relevant points to be addressed.

Or write, fax or phone ANZFA for this information (address and numbers as shown below):

Ms. J. Williams
Project Manager - Application A413
Australian New Zealand Food Authority
P.O. Box 7186
BARTON.  ACT.  2600.
Fax:        (02) 6271 2278
Phone:    (02) 6271 2222

Should you decide not to write a submission, shown below are sample comments you could include in a letter.  Also shown is relevant address.  

Please ensure that your letter includes the date, your address, name and signature.
Cut & Paste this one below or use a Word version.
(to get a copy to your PC, rightclick here then 'save target as . .')

Australian & New Zealand Food Authority
P.O. Box 7186,
CANBERRA.  MC ACT.  2610.

Dear Sirs,

Re:  Application A413 - Irradiation of Herbs, Spices, Nuts, Oil  Seeds and Teas

I strongly object to the above application on the following grounds:

Industries associated with the groups of foodstuffs included under Application A413 are opposed to irradiation of their products.

Irradiation does not necessarily kill all the micro-organisms that can cause illness, and it can leave intact the toxins they produce.

Used at the last stage of production, irradiation masks dirty processing and handling methods and unacceptably high levels of bacterial contamination prior to "treatment".

Scientific studies have shown that irradiated food poses serious risks to health in that the process results in the following:  

In view of the foregoing, effective methods other than irradiation (including e-beam accelerators), should be investigated in relation to sterilisation and disinfestation.

 Yours faithfully,