Health Claim Standard up for grabs, Food Legal Symposium opportunity to convey message
At a special teleconference hook-up last Friday (20 July 2012), Australian and New Zealand ministers…At a special teleconference hook-up last Friday (20 July 2012), Australian and New Zealand ministers responsible for the regulation of food met to consider the treatment of General Level Health Claims in the draft Standard for Nutrition, Health and Related Claims.
The ministers discussed options for a new regulatory system for General Level Health Claims. This included pre-approved food-health relationships, as well as the option of self-substantiation of new claims which comply with detailed criteria that would be set out in a proposed new version of the Standard.
The ministers confirmed support for the use of a nutrient profiling scoring criteria (NPSC) to ensure that health claims only appear on ‘healthy foods’. The intent is that foods that contain high levels of sugar, fat and salt will not be able to claim health benefits.
The ministers also asked the Food Regulation Standing Committee and Food Standards Australia New Zealand to work together and continue to consult with public health groups, consumers, industry and officials in further developing the approach to general level health claims in the standard for Nutrition, Health and Related Claims.
The ministers agreed to extend the review period for the Standard again. The new deadline is 31 October 2012.
The ministers have made it clear that they are looking for further feedback from the industry. It is important for food companies to convey their views on the key issues that will provide guidance on these regulations.