Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a variety of schemes and standards in place to regulate the use of ingredients in food and cosmetics. While there is no single list of banned or restricted chemicals, the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) and the Australian Border Force play a role in regulating the import and export of chemicals. The AICIS Executive Director has the power to approve, restrict or prohibit the introduction or export of industrial chemicals listed in international conventions and protocols. The Australian National Security monitors chemicals that may be used for unlawful activities, and state and territory authorities manage compliance with restrictions on access, use, and disposal. Food additives undergo a thorough safety assessment before being approved for use in Australia and New Zealand, and some ingredients that are banned in other countries are permitted in Australia, such as certain food dyes and pesticides.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of banned ingredients in Australia | Not specified |
| Chemicals banned in Australia | Azodicarbonamide, rBGH, rBST, fungicides like carbendazim, synthetic food dyes, etc. |
| Chemicals permitted in Australia but banned elsewhere | Tartrazine, BHA, etc. |
| Regulatory bodies | AICIS, Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme, Australian National Security, Safe Work Australia, National Transport Commission, Australian Border Force, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Therapeutic Goods Administration, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
There is no single list of banned ingredients in Australia
In Australia, there is no single list of banned or restricted chemicals or ingredients. Instead, bans and restrictions are regulated by each state and territory authority. Chemicals are regulated on a national level by four different government schemes, depending on their intended use.
The Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) is one such scheme. The AICIS Executive Director has the power to approve, restrict, or prohibit the introduction or export of industrial chemicals listed in international conventions and protocols that Australia follows to protect human health and the environment.
Food and ingredients in food are regulated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand, which develops and administers the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. All additives undergo a thorough safety assessment before being approved for use in Australia and New Zealand. Food additives that are banned or restricted elsewhere may be permitted in Australia and New Zealand, such as tartrazine and BHA.
Other schemes that play a role in regulating chemicals include Safe Work Australia, which provides information on classifying hazardous chemicals according to the law, and the National Transport Commission, which sets out the requirements for transporting dangerous goods, including chemicals. The Australian Border Force controls the import and export of certain goods, including toxic organic pollutants and hazardous chemicals.
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Food additives and colours are regulated
Food additives and colours are highly regulated in Australia. All additives and colours must undergo a safety assessment by FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) before they can be used in food or drinks sold in Australia. FSANZ sets safety limits for food additives to ensure that no one consumes unsafe levels, even if they eat a large amount of foods containing the additive over their lifetime. FSANZ also reviews all new evidence about the safety of food colours and additives.
Some additives and colours are reported as "banned" in some countries but are permitted in Australia. This may be because manufacturers have never sought permission to use the additive, usually because alternatives are approved. It could also be due to circumstances unique to a country, such as different dietary exposure or unique regulatory systems and legislation. For example, some additives were banned in the US in the 1970s and 1980s due to animal studies indicating they were carcinogenic. However, subsequent studies by agencies like the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have not supported these conclusions.
Tartrazine, a food additive colour approved in many countries, was evaluated by JECFA in 2016, which concluded that it did not pose a health concern for the general population, including children. Similarly, FSANZ surveys in 2008 and 2012 found that the estimated dietary exposure to tartrazine and other colours was less than 5% of the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), confirming that added colours in food and beverages do not pose a health and safety concern for children in Australia.
To help consumers avoid additives, most additives in food or drink must be labelled with either the name or the specific internationally recognised code number of the additive.
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Food Standards Australia New Zealand develops the Food Code
While there is no single list of banned or restricted chemicals in Australia, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) develops and administers the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, which regulates food ingredients, processing aids, colourings, additives, vitamins, and minerals. The FSANZ sets labelling requirements, including mandatory warnings and advisory labels, for both packaged and unpackaged food items. All additives undergo a thorough safety assessment before being approved for use in Australia and New Zealand. For instance, while some food colours and additives are banned in other countries, they are permitted in Australia and New Zealand. An example is tartrazine, which is approved as a food additive colour in several countries and was deemed safe for dietary consumption by the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) in 2016.
The FSANZ also coordinates and monitors food recalls in Australia to protect consumers from unsafe food products. Recalls are often due to the presence of undeclared allergens, foreign matter, or plastic contamination. Additionally, the FSANZ provides resources such as the 2-hour/4-hour rule to help food businesses ensure food safety. The FSANZ welcomes feedback and input from the community and stakeholders on changes to the Food Standards Code.
The Food Standards Code serves as a legislative instrument under the Legislation Act 2003, and changes to it are publicly notified in the Food Standards Gazette. The code includes standards specific to New Zealand, such as Standard 2.9.6 for special purpose foods. While FSANZ does not provide advice on compliance with the Code, guidance on understanding the Federal Register of Legislation is available on their website.
The classification of medicines and poisons is addressed separately under the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons, also known as the Poisons Standard. This standard serves as a record of decisions regarding the classification of medicines and chemicals used in consumer products. Safe Work Australia provides resources for classifying hazardous chemicals, and the National Transport Commission sets requirements for transporting dangerous goods, including chemicals.
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Chemicals are regulated by 4 government schemes
In Australia, the importation, manufacture, and use of chemicals are regulated by four government schemes, each focused on particular chemical groups and uses. These schemes are in place to protect Australians and the environment from the effects of hazardous chemicals.
The four schemes are as follows:
- The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA): This scheme helps regulate bans and restrictions on chemicals and consumer product ingredients, including cosmetics. The TGA's website provides access to the Poisons Standard, where individuals can search for chemical names, any bans or restrictions, and maximum concentrations.
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ): FSANZ develops and administers the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, which regulates the use of food ingredients, processing aids, colourings, additives, vitamins, and minerals. It is important to note that some colours and food additives reported as banned in other countries are permitted in Australia and New Zealand, as they have undergone thorough safety assessments.
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA): The APVMA evaluates, registers, and regulates prospective products until the point of sale. The authority covers agricultural and veterinary chemicals, including those used in agricultural, forestry, fishery industries, and by veterinarians and consumers.
- Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS): AICIS regulates the importation and manufacture of industrial chemicals. The AICIS Executive Director has the power to approve, restrict, or prohibit the introduction or export of industrial chemicals listed in international conventions and protocols.
These four schemes work together to regulate chemicals in Australia, ensuring the protection of human health and the environment. While there is no single list of banned or restricted chemicals in Australia, these schemes play a crucial role in managing the risks associated with various chemical groups and their intended uses.
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The AICIS Executive Director can approve or restrict chemicals
In Australia, there is no single list of banned or restricted chemicals. Instead, bans and restrictions on chemicals and their usage are regulated by each state and territory authority. These regulations are based on four different government schemes, each focusing on a particular type of use.
The Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) is one such regulatory authority. The AICIS Executive Director has the power to approve, restrict, or prohibit the introduction or export of industrial chemicals listed in international conventions and protocols that Australia follows to protect human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals.
The Executive Director is an independent statutory office holder appointed by the Governor-General with specific powers and functions under the Industrial Chemicals Act 2019. The current Executive Director is Graeme Barden, who is assisted by staff in the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
The AICIS Executive Director's role includes approving, restricting, or prohibiting the introduction or export of industrial chemicals to protect human health and the environment. They can also initiate variations to assessment certificates and make decisions regarding the protection of Confidential Business Information (CBI) and the approval of chemical names.
If a person or entity is non-compliant with the IC Act, the AICIS Executive Director can impose penalties and sanctions, including requiring the entity to stop introducing and supplying illegally introduced industrial chemicals. The Director can also accept a written enforceable undertaking from the non-compliant party, allowing them to resolve the contravention and prevent future instances of non-compliance. This undertaking protects human health and the environment while providing an alternative to formal enforcement action.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no single list of banned or restricted chemicals in Australia. Bans and restrictions on ingredients are regulated by each state and territory authority.
Some ingredients banned in Australia include azodicarbonamide, rBGH, and rBST. Fungicides like carbendazim are also banned in Australia.
Synthetic food dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 6 are banned in the UK and highly regulated in Europe and Australia, but they are used in American Fanta. Tartrazine is banned in some countries but is approved as a food additive in Australia.
The Poisons Standard is a resource that can be used to search for chemical names and any bans or restrictions. The Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) provides information on banned or restricted chemicals, and the Australian Border Force controls the import and export of certain goods, including toxic organic pollutants and hazardous chemicals.
