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Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson has welcomed a decision by the trans-Tasman Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation that could help innovative food businesses develop new foods for health.
Health claims on food packaging was top of the agenda at the Forum’s meeting in Canberra on Friday, which Kate attended.
The Forum previously considered proposals requiring all health claims to be pre-market assessed, but yesterday the group decided to explore additional options for ‘general level health claims’.
These are claims that refer to health, but not to a specific disease or disorder.
"Businesses have raised concerns with me that requiring all health claims to be pre-market assessed would be overly prescriptive for general level health claims," says Kate.
"The decision today signals that the Forum is listening to stakeholder concerns. It is a step in the right direction, and means that we can explore additional options for general level health claims with stakeholders in a collaborative process.
“New Zealand produces some really innovative foods for health and so it’s important we develop a framework for label claims that supports our innovative producers and provides confidence for consumers.”
The Legislative and Governance Forum on Food Regulation is a gathering of Ministers from all Australian States and Territories, the Australian Commonwealth Government and New Zealand.
Source: Office of Kate Wilkinson.
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Posted on 06-06-2012 10:02 | By SpeakUp
Is this talk of ‘health initiative’ not another smokescreen of ‘innovation’ to mask total control of food and human rights? While standards for big industry are sensible, the same cannot be said for ‘cottage industry’. The NZ food bill is nothing short of draconian control (all in line with UN stipulations). To grow and share food is one of the most basic human rights. The same goes for seed. The Food Bill 160-2 seriously impedes initiatives like community gardens, food co-ops, heritage seed banks, farmers markets, bake sales, and roadside fruit & vegetable stalls. These ventures are a lifeline for many people already. They are an important educational and awareness enhancing part of society. They will also form the backbone of survival during severe recession or during a breakdown of supply lines in case of greater calamity. These communal ventures ought to be commended and supported for their societal benefit, and not limited by bureaucracy and regulation. But nowadays any bureaucratic control can be implemented with the excuse of health and safety. Persuasion is fine, coercion is wrong. Education to promote healthy food is the way to go rather than bureaucratic control. But then the bureaucrats would need to find a real job, wouldn’t they?