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Food Standards Australia New Zealand

Science Strategy 2010-2015

FSANZ SCIENCE STRATEGY 2010-2015

Contents

Message from the Chief Scientist.....................................................................................................3

Introduction, Purpose & Scope.........................................................................................................5

FSANZ Values.....................................................................................................................................9

Strategic Areas..................................................................................................................................10

Strategic Area 1: Increasing our Scientific Capacity....................................................................12

Strategic Area 2: Extending the Evidence Base...........................................................................16

Strategic Area 3: Building our Collaboration and International Linkages..................................20

Strategic Area 4: Enhancing our Communication and Stakeholder Engagement...................24

Strategic Area 5: Enhance our Capability to Identify and Respond to Emerging Issues........27

Strategic Area 6: Continue to Provide Leadership in Developing Food Regulatory Science Capacity.............................................................................................................................................30

Strategic Area 7: Measuring our Performance.............................................................................34

Attachment 1. FSANZ Scientific Organisational Structure..........................................................37

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Message from the Chief Scientist

The scientific work of Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) forms the foundation of our ability to continue to ensure food safety and protect the public health and safety of consumers.

FSANZ first developed its Science Strategy “Striving for Excellence in Food Regulatory Science” to cover the period 2006-2009, describing how we intended to further enhance our scientific resources to maintain the safety of the food supply in Australia and New Zealand in rapidly changing times.

At the time, the then Chief Scientist of FSANZ, Dr Marion Healy, reflected that we were witnessing changes in the nature and makeup of food and consumer expectations about what they want from food, and alluded to the greater interest of governments, both national and international, in using food and food regulation to achieve long-term public health outcomes through programs such as mandatory fortification. The situation has not changed, and in fact it could be argued that the pace of change has increased.

The Science Strategy for 2006-2009 set out to build on a number of initiatives including enhancing our public health nutrition and social science capability, increasing collaboration with Australian State and Territory Government agencies and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority on our respective science programs, and strengthening external engagement with Australian States and Territories, New Zealand Government agencies and the wider scientific and technical community. This first Science Strategy has proven highly successful and significant advancements have been achieved in relation to the goals we set. For example, FSANZ has established a Chief Public Health Nutrition Advisor position to facilitate our current and future work around public health nutrition. Also the areas of social science and economic research have been strengthened to reflect their increasingly important roles within FSANZ. At the same time, given the ever increasing demand for maintaining scientific expertise in the chemical and biological sciences, we have established the new position of General Manager, Risk Assessment. FSANZ also recognises that we operate within defined resources, and are putting greater emphasis on prioritising and managing our activities to consolidate and build on the excellent reputation we have already achieved in scientific areas.

It is now time to develop a new Science Strategy for the period 2010-2015 that will continue to build on the good work of the previous strategy, and provide us with a platform for our future scientific focus going forward. Fundamental principles by which we undertake our science, espoused in the previous Science Strategy, those of Performance, Integrity, Leadership, Collaboration, International Linkages, Improvement and Responsiveness, will continue to underpin our future scientific work and will remain the principles for the Science Strategy 2010-2015. Our strategic aims, as outlined in the first Science Strategy, will also largely remain the same. However, the second Science Strategy identifies ongoing

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mechanisms that we will continue to employ, and future mechanisms that we will introduce, to maintain and further enhance our scientific capability. In this regard, the second Science Strategy will not only set out high level principles and aspirations, but contain a second tier that will also outline yearly plans that target areas for specific work in these challenging times, managed within available resources.

FSANZ will continue to maintain the safety of the Australian and New Zealand food supply in partnership with Australian States and Territories and New Zealand. To do this we need to continue to leverage existing resources and enhance our scientific resources in the most efficient and effective manner as described in this Science Strategy 2010-2015. I take this opportunity to commend the document to all our stakeholders.

Dr Paul BrentChief Scientist

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Introduction, Purpose & Scope

About FSANZFSANZ is an independent statutory agency with bi-national responsibilities for developing food regulatory measures. The overarching vision of FSANZ is a safe food supply which supports the health of people in Australia and New Zealand. In line with this vision, FSANZ has responsibility for developing food regulatory measures including food standards and joint codes of practice with industry covering content and labelling of food in Australia and New Zealand. FSANZ also has responsibility for establishing primary production standards, food safety standards and in promulgation of maximum residue limits into the Code for agricultural and veterinary chemical residues set by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority1 (APVMA) for Australia.

The food regulatory system in Australia and New Zealand is the result of an intergovernmental agreement which separates the responsibility of policy development, standards setting and the implementation and enforcement of standards set for food (Figure 1). Policy is developed by the Australian States and Territories and the Australian and New Zealand governments and policy agreement is ultimately made by the Australia New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council (ANZFRMC). Food standards setting is the responsibility of FSANZ, with the primary decision maker being the FSANZ Board with the final decision on standards made by ANZFRMC. The enforcement and implementation of food standards for all food offered for sale is the responsibility of the States and Territories with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service also responsible for imported produce in Australia; the New Zealand government is responsible for both imported and domestic products. Collaboration and integration across all of these areas is essential in developing effective food regulation.

1 The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is an Australian government authority responsible for the assessment and registration of pesticides and veterinary medicines and for their regulation up to and including the point of retail sale. Part of these responsibilities is the setting of maximum residue limits for food commodities in Australia.

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The process FSANZ uses to develop food regulatory measures is very open with input from government, industry, consumers and other stakeholders. In developing, reviewing or varying food regulatory measures, FSANZ adheres to three primary objectives2:

protection of public health and safety; provision of adequate information relating to food to enable consumers to make

informed choices; and prevention of misleading or deceptive conduct.

In developing and varying standards, FSANZ must also have regard to:

the need for standards to be based on risk analysis using the best available scientific evidence;

the promotion of consistency between domestic and international food standards; the desirability of an efficient and internationally competitive food industry; the promotion of fair trading in food; and any written policy guidelines formulated by the Ministerial Council.

Food Regulatory Science in FSANZTo meet these objectives FSANZ ensures that food regulatory measures are based on the best available scientific evidence, using a risk analysis framework. Risk analysis frameworks

2 Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991

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POLICY DEVELOPMENTAustralian State & Territories and the

Australian and New Zealand Governments

IMPLEMENTATION & ENFORCEMENT

Australian States and Territories and Australian

Quarantine Inspection Service, New Zealand

Authorities

STANDARDS SETTINGFood Standards Australian

New Zealand

Figure 1: Food Regulatory Framework


Risk AssessmentEvidence based

Risk ManagementOutcome based

Risk CommunicationInteractive exchange of information & opinions

provide a structured approach to examine and assess the risks and benefits associated with food and food ingredients, and to formulate, implement and communicate risk management decisions. FSANZ applies the risk analysis approach to setting standards. The risk analysis framework used by FSANZ to make food regulatory decisions encompasses the broad spectrum of scientific areas in which FSANZ works including nutrition, toxicology, microbiology, consumer and social sciences and economic research. FSANZ uses the risk analysis framework3 (Figure 2) as a decision-making tool that allows separation of the scientific aspects of risk analysis from the broad range of factors which impact on the ultimate risk management decisions. However it is important to recognise that scientific approaches may also be used to inform the selection of risk management options. Risk Assessment is the evidence based analysis of all relevant scientific information and data relating to a food health risk. Risk management is the outcome based analysis of the risk assessment, policy guidance and other relevant information to develop and recommend risk management options.

In its role of standards setting, FSANZ undertakes food regulatory science, defined as the use of risk analysis, including the analysis of all available information and data, to inform food regulatory activities including standards development. Food regulatory science recognises that food regulatory decisions encompass a broad range of scientific areas and that other factors, such as trade and consistency with international food standards, also need consideration in order to ensure the best food regulatory decisions. Further information on FSANZ’s food regulatory science is available in our document, Analysis of Food-Related Health Risks.

3 http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/aboutfsanz/scientificcapabilities/riskanalysis.cfm

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Figure 2: Risk Analysis Framework

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/_srcfiles/Food%20Related%20Health%20Risks%20WEB_FA.pdf

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/_srcfiles/Food%20Related%20Health%20Risks%20WEB_FA.pdf


Purpose and Scope of Science Strategy 2010-2015The FSANZ Science Strategy 2010-2015 provides an overview of the way FSANZ uses the best available scientific evidence to develop food regulatory measures. The scope of the science strategy is broad and covers the range of scientific work undertaken by FSANZ in the risk analysis process.

The strategy identifies seven strategic areas and within each area, three to four strategic aims which FSANZ will focus on enhancing over the next five years. These strategic areas and aims are outlined in further detail in this document. This strategy is not intended to provide extensive details on specific areas of FSANZ scientific work, rather it identifies some of the key areas we will focus on enhancing. The Science Strategy 2010-2015 is targeted at FSANZ stakeholders and other interested parties in addition to providing guidance to FSANZ staff.

The primary intention of the Science Strategy 2010-2015 is to describe how FSANZ will further enhance its scientific capability and resources to continue to meet future food regulatory needs and challenges. Underpinning the Science Strategy will be yearly implementation plans, which will provide further information on the specific objectives and deliverables under each strategic aim. These objectives and deliverables will clearly identify actions that FSANZ will take in order to ensure the science strategy is implemented and ensure that FSANZ continues to evolve and enhance our food regulatory science.

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FSANZ Values

Professional values relate to the principles that guide our decisions and actions. In undertaking our scientific work it is important to recognise the values of the organisation including:

Striving for professionalism and excellence in whatever we do;

Collaborating effectively to achieve results;

Being inclusive in how we work;

Being transparent in our decision making and processes;

Being proactive and responsive in identifying and questioning of issues raised;

Demonstrating innovation and creativity as well as consistency in the work we do; and

Showing leadership of the highest standard.

Adherence to these values will support achievement of the strategic aims within each strategic area that is the focus of this Science Strategy.

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Strategic Areas

FSANZ has identified a number of key strategic areas covering the broad range of scientific areas in which FSANZ works. The strategic areas are intended to be overarching, covering all areas of food regulatory science. The Science Strategy informs and supports these areas of work and other areas that underpin the day to day work of FSANZ. The key strategic areas identified are closely linked to the strategic imperatives identified in the FSANZ Corporate Plan which shape the overarching strategic framework for FSANZ.

The key strategic areas for the Science Strategy 2010-2015 are:

1. Increasing our Scientific Capacity

2. Extending the Evidence Base

3. Building our Collaboration and International Linkages

4. Enhancing our Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

5. Enhancing our Capability to Identify and Respond to Emerging Issues

6. Continuing to Provide Leadership in Developing Food Regulatory Science Capacity

7. Measuring our Performance

Each of these key strategic areas is described in the subsequent sections of this Science Strategy. For each key strategic area a number of strategic aims are identified and described.

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Enha

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cien

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Measuring our Performance Peer review Strategic imperatives

Continuing to Provide Leadership in Developing Food Regulatory Science Building knowledge Harmonising food regulations Prioritising capacity building Building collaborative partnerships

Enhancing our Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Engage with stakeholders Communicating widely Promoting our science Transparency

Enhancing our Capability to Identify & Respond to Emerging Issues Identifying issues Investigating issues Building linkages Predicting issues

Building our Collaboration & International Linkages Jurisdictions & Government

agencies International agencies Research & educational bodies Industry

Extending the Evidence Base Data analysis Data collection Data management Sharing data

Increasing Our Scientific Capacity People Information & Data Analysis tools


Strategic Area 1: Increasing our Scientific Capacity

The food supply is constantly changing as a result of new technologies, expanding trade opportunities, ethnic diversity in the population and changing individual diets. The challenge for FSANZ is to continue to ensure the safety of the food supply by developing effective food regulations that are based on science. FSANZ’s ability to develop effective food regulations relies on our capability and our capacity to assess scientific data and information and manage and communicate the conclusions of the assessment. Maintaining and enhancing our scientific capacity in relation to our staff, resources and our tools used to undertake food regulatory science is essential.

FSANZ also faces the new challenge of expectations that food regulation can be used to improve long term population health outcomes. This requires careful consideration by FSANZ and a need to ensure a high level of specialist skills and expertise in the public health area.

People

A key component of maintaining and enhancing our scientific capacity and capability is to ensure a diverse and highly skilled workplace. FSANZ currently has a broad range of scientific expertise, covering many disciplines including:

Toxicology Nutrition Microbiology Consumer science Social sciences Molecular genetics Economics Food technology Epidemiology Chemistry

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Strategic Aim

Continue to build our scientific expertise in existing and new areas of food regulatory science.

Increasing our Scientific Capacity People Information and Data Analysis Tools


Due to the constantly changing nature of the food supply and identification of different food-risks, FSANZ must continually asses our internal capabilities and capacity to ensure that we can meet current and future challenges relating to food regulatory science. Ensuring highly skilled scientific staff across the range of scientific discipline areas is essential to ensuring that FSANZ can assess, manage and communicate the variety of potential health risks associated with foods. Undertaking regular skills audits of the organisation, and focussing recruitment activities on skill gaps, will assist in identifying any skills gaps that may exist.

In addition to ensuring a diverse internal skill set, it is important that FSANZ staff continue to undertake professional development to maintain and enhance their skills and knowledge. One of the methods for FSANZ staff to do this is by actively participating at national and international conferences, meetings and training courses. Providing staff with the opportunity to present at conferences that relate to food regulatory science will continue to enhance staff skills and knowledge. Participation at these conferences also provides an opportunity for broader discussion about FSANZ including discussions with key stakeholders. Additionally it will be important that FSANZ identifies future food regulatory issues, including the development and application of new technologies, and ensures that staff development and recruitment processes provide the skills and expertise within the organisation that can address these as well as any identified gaps in scientific capacity.

A further opportunity to enhance staff skills and knowledge is through in-house training; mentoring; placements with other agencies; and formal training courses. Succession planning is an important aspect of enhancing staff skills in both technical areas and in leadership and senior management. Under the previous Science Strategy 2006-09, FSANZ initiated a program of in-house training to cross skill staff in various scientific areas. This program allows staff to develop their skills and knowledge in areas outside of their core expertise. It is anticipated that this program will continue to be developed and cover a wide variety of scientific areas.

Information and Data

FSANZ uses a variety of information and data to inform our food regulatory science. Ensuring that this information and data is assessed in a consistent way and is of the highest quality is essential in ensuring our food regulatory science is robust.

As part of the risk analysis process, the risk assessment requires the examination of scientific data on a particular physical, chemical (including nutrients) or microbiological hazard in food. The risk assessment process is comprised of four steps namely: hazard identification; hazard characterisation; dietary exposure assessment; and risk characterisation. The data used to inform the risk assessment may be obtained from

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Strategic Aim

Undertake the highest quality food regulatory science and ensure it is current and robust.


laboratory investigations (toxicological or microbiological studies) or human epidemiological studies, as well as data on the level of exposure to specified food chemicals from dietary and other sources. For some application and proposal work FSANZ also utilises consumer research data, which assists in providing information on consumer perceptions of food issues and is used in the risk assessment and development of risk management options. The examination and combining of the data from all relevant scientific sources provides the risk assessment outcome which is used to infer a level of human health risk. In order to ensure the highest quality food risk assessment, FSANZ should continue to source and utilise the most appropriate data and information to inform its food regulatory science decisions. To do this FSANZ requires access to relevant scientific journals and search databases.

It is recognised that in some cases the evidence base is insufficient to allow a decision to be made on a food regulatory measure, due to the high level of uncertainty that is associated with the science. In these cases it needs to be made clear that there are insufficient data and information to inform food regulatory science decisions. If possible, the agency will seek to generate the required data to reduce the level of uncertainty associated with the science, which could be undertaken by FSANZ alone or in partnership with research institutions. The agency will actively look for opportunities to undertake joint research activities that will address gaps in the existing evidence base. Additional data and information may become available after food regulatory decisions are made. It is important that FSANZ continues to monitor and assess data in relation to food regulatory decisions to ensure it remains robust and to decide when new data are required.

Analysis Tools

To ensure the highest quality food regulatory science, FSANZ uses a risk analysis framework. The risk analysis framework is important in providing a structured approach to considering the diverse range of risks that may occur in food. The approach to risk analysis used by FSANZ is based on the general framework adopted by international agencies, although the diversity of issues FSANZ considers requires some flexibility to encompass the food regulatory environment in which FSANZ operates. The risk analysis framework is essentially a decision-making framework that allows separation of the scientific aspects of risk analysis from the broad range of factors which impact on the ultimate risk management decisions. It is important to note that there is an inherent relationship between appropriate risk management options being based on high quality risk assessments.

The risk analysis framework applied by FSANZ incorporates risk assessment, risk management and risk communication. Risk Assessment is the evidence based analysis of

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Strategic Aim

Maintain the functionality and application of the Risk Analysis Framework


all relevant scientific information and data relating to a food health risk. Risk management is the outcome based analysis of the risk assessment in conjunction with the consideration of policy guidance and other relevant information to determine and select appropriate risk management options. Risk communication involves the interactive exchange of information and opinions throughout the risk analysis process concerning risk, risk-related factors, and risk perceptions, among risk assessors, risk managers, consumers, industry, the academic community and other interested parties. Risk communication also includes the explanation of risk assessment findings and the basis of risk management decisions.

FSANZ’s internal organisation is arranged around the functional application of the risk analysis framework, with risk assessment and risk management scientists (Attachment 1). There are separate risk assessment and management sections for most scientific disciplines and specialist risk communicators. In undertaking food regulatory science, FSANZ uses multidisciplinary teams including risk assessors, risk managers (including consumer scientists and economists4) and risk communicators for individual projects. This structure ensures input from relevant areas for all stages of the project. In addition to individual project teams, FSANZ also has over-arching cross-discipline groups including the Senior Science Group, International Steering Group and the Food Incident Response Group which facilitate wider staff engagement and discussion of various projects.

Continuing to ensure the integrity of the risk analysis framework in FSANZ work, including its suitability for assessing the wide variety of risks associated with food, is important in ensuring food regulatory decisions are based on the best evidence available, are managed appropriately and are communicated widely.

4 Consumer and social sciences contribute to both risk assessment and risk management activities, though they are organisationally located in the risk management branch.

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Strategic Area 1: Increasing our Scientific Capacity

FSANZ’s scientific capacity is essential to ensuring our continued ability to undertake the highest quality food regulatory science. Ensuring diverse scientific skills, high quality information and data assessment and utilising the best available tools will assist FSANZ in maintaining its scientific capacity. To achieve this FSANZ will:

Continue to build our scientific expertise in existing and new areas of food regulatory science.

Undertake the highest quality food regulatory science and ensure it is current and robust.

Maintain the functionality and application of the Risk Analysis Framework. Attract and retain staff who are highly trained in technical areas and/or leadership by

offering appropriate professional development and succession planning opportunities.


Strategic Area 2: Extending the Evidence Base

A wide range of scientific and technical data is utilised by FSANZ to inform food regulatory decisions. FSANZ has a significant program for the collection of data to assist in informing food regulatory science. FSANZ actively coordinates surveillance, monitoring and evaluation surveys as well as undertaking consumer and economic surveys in partnership with Australian States and Territories and New Zealand. In developing the data collection program, a forward plan of standards development activities and emerging issues is considered so that data generated are relevant and current. Currently the program collects a wide range of data including:

Microbiological status of foods Food chemical content of foods Food composition (nutrient content) Economic (cost–benefit) Consumer behaviour, attitudes and knowledge towards food related issues

In collaboration with other government agencies in Australia and New Zealand, FSANZ collects data on the food supply to ensure that foods are safe and comply with standards, including those for microbiological contaminants, chemical contaminants, residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals and substances added to food. Surveillance activities generate scientific analytical data through targeted surveys relating to particular substances in particular foods, or wider surveillance of a range of substances in a wide variety of food. These data on the food supply enable FSANZ to undertake a robust risk analysis to assess food safety and to inform regulatory activities, ensure confidence in a safe food supply.

A surveillance program led by FSANZ aims to collect data on the presence and concentration of substances in foods. A significant component of the FSANZ surveillance program is the Australian Total Diet Study (ATDS) which is Australia’s most comprehensive assessment of consumers’ dietary exposure (intake) to pesticide residues, contaminants and other substances. The regular survey aims to obtain a broad picture of the level and extent of chemical contaminants in the food supply. The ATDS can also be used to obtain analytical data on a range of other substances found in food including food additives and nutrients. FSANZ also manages the work of the surveillance and monitoring component for the Food Regulation Standing Committee’s Implementation Sub-Committee (ISC)5. The central element of the ISC surveillance and monitoring component is the Coordinated Food Survey

5 ISC’s primary responsibility is to develop and oversee a consistent approach across Australian States and Territories and New Zealand to the implementation and enforcement of food regulations.

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Extending the Evidence Base Data analysis Data collection Data management Sharing data


Plan (the Plan). The Plan is developed, implemented and reviewed as a collaborative approach across Australian States and Territories and New Zealand for surveillance and monitoring activities that develop the evidence base used for standards development, effective implementation and interventions.

The Australian nutrient food composition database is maintained by FSANZ. Nutrient data for foods comes from a variety of sources including: analysed values generated from analytical programs commissioned by FSANZ; data obtained from other countries food tables; data supplied by the food industry; data taken from food labels; imputed values from similar foods; or values calculated using a recipe approach. FSANZ has been improving the quality and quantity of analysed values for foods by developing analytical programs which focus on the foods identified as being key nutrient contributors for Australians. Nutrient analysis is then targeted towards these foods to ensure that the food composition data are accurate.

In addition to surveillance activities, FSANZ also undertakes monitoring and evaluation of the food supply and regulatory measures. FSANZ regularly undertakes scientific and technical evaluation of the impact, effectiveness and appropriateness of implementing key food regulatory measures through its evaluation strategy and associated activities. Evaluation allows FSANZ to identify and assess the impact of key changes to food regulations on our stakeholders, including our regulatory partners in Australian States and Territories and New Zealand, the food industry, health professionals and consumers.

FSANZ continues to build its evidence base in relation to consumer knowledge, behaviours and attitudes towards a range of issues associated with food. For some instances in the risk analysis process it is important to be able to predict consumer behaviour in order to manage the risk effectively. Food labelling, whether it is for consumer information related to health matters, food safety and/or to enable consumers to make informed food choices, requires that consumers will understand the information on the label and that it assists them in choosing appropriate food. The collection of data in relation to consumer knowledge, behaviours and attitudes in relation to food purchase and use of labels assists in strengthening the evidence base.

Data analysis

The data FSANZ obtains through its surveillance, monitoring, evaluation and social science research surveys provide significant data and information to inform food regulatory science decisions. The data also aid in maintaining confidence that the food supply is being monitored, ensuring the public health and safety of the food supply. As FSANZ continues to

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Strategic Aim

Improve our data collection, analysis and reporting methodologies


consider a wide variety of issues, including fortification and health claims, it will become increasingly important to continue the coordination and collection of this data.

The methods used to collect, collate, analyse data are essential to ensuring the evidence base FSANZ utilises for its risk analysis is accurate and robust. Data collection methodologies will vary according to the type of data being collected and where and how it is intended to be used. As methodologies for surveys including sampling, analytical detection and analysis techniques continue to be improved, it is important for FSANZ to continue to adapt its processes to suit best practice. When considering undertaking survey work FSANZ should research appropriate methodologies for collection and analysis to ensure data produced are fit for purpose.

Analysis of data collected for a particular purpose requires a good understanding of the data including its limitations. It is important to note that all data collected and utilised by FSANZ will contain uncertainty and variability. Reporting the data accurately, including articulating the uncertainty and variability in data, will assist in building understanding of the data used and its strengths and limitations.

Data Collection

FSANZ also has an active role in coordinating the collection of data with national and international food regulatory partners. FSANZ works closely with regulatory partners to ensure collaboration on surveillance activities. Collaboration with regulatory partners assists in: ensuring the efficient use of resources; reduces duplication of information; ensures consistency in methodologies for sampling and analysis; assists in identifying and addressing data gaps; and provides a shared understanding of data needs.

Data Management

In undertaking risk analysis, FSANZ utilises data from many sources within its evidence base. It has been identified that the current data management systems which FSANZ utilises to house its evidence base require updating and were developed using proprietary software systems which are no longer widely used. FSANZ is currently in the process of developing a new data management platform which will create a central system to house FSANZ data. The updating of the data management systems will also include integration of data in order

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Strategic Aim

Improve and integrate our data management and analysis systems to meet future requirements

Strategic Aim

Continue to increase and coordinate the systematic collection of data


to improve our analysis. The system will be developed considering the future needs and requirements of the organisation.Sharing data

In addition to undertaking surveys and data collection, FSANZ also collaborates with other organisations to collect data. There are already a number of national and international organisations with which FSANZ shares data including DAFF in the area of residues surveys, Australian States and Territories and New Zealand in relation to surveillance and monitoring activities, and international food regulatory agencies in relation to analytical surveys which may be relevant to Australia or New Zealand. These data are important in informing FSANZ food regulatory science.

Collaborating and sharing information and data including methodologies, can assist in filling data gaps, or can add further evidence to food regulatory science. There are a number of national and international organisations which collect data in relation to food regulatory science, including other regulatory agencies and research institutions. FSANZ will aim to continually enhance relationships with these organisations to continue to increase our evidence base.

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Strategic Aim

Increase our collaboration with national and international food regulatory partners and organisations to collect and share data

Strategic Area 2: Extending the Evidence Base

Continuing to build and extend the evidence base is essential to ensuring FSANZ is utilising the best available information and data to inform food regulatory science. Ensuring that data are collected, collated, analysed and reported in a way that is fit for purpose and is of the highest standards and quality is essential in food regulatory science. Coordinating, managing and sharing of data are also important to ensure data are maintained and available for use in relevant food regulatory matters. To continue to extend the evidence base FSANZ will: Improve our data collection, analysis and reporting methodologies Continue to coordinate the systematic collection of data Improve and integrate our data management and analysis systems to meet future

requirements Increase our collaboration with national and international food regulatory partners and

organisations to collect and share data


Strategic Area 3: Building our Collaboration and International Linkages

The range and diversity of foods available in Australia and New Zealand has greatly expanded in recent decades as the food supply becomes increasingly global. Inherent with the expansion of the food supply is the expectation that food is safe for all to consumers all the time. FSANZ recognises that food-related health risks may be under consideration by a number of people, organisations and countries at any given time. Building collaboration and linkages with national and international agencies to share information, data and best practice, identify emerging risks and develop clear communication on risks in the food supply is important. FSANZ regularly engages and collaborates with external experts including national and international regulatory agencies, government departments, industry, universities and educational institutions to enhance our food regulatory science.

Government agencies

NationalBuilding and enhancing our linkages with Australian States and Territories and New Zealand government agencies is important to ensure food regulatory science meets its objectives. Collaboration assists in encouraging the exchange of views on scientific matters of interest to Australia and New Zealand food agencies and to develop a national/bi-national view. Enhancing collaboration also facilitates a greater understanding and consensus on the science which underpins food regulations including the information and methodologies used.

FSANZ currently collaborates with many scientists from Australian States and Territories and New Zealand government agencies in forums including:

Science Network Forum Workshops Scientific Advisory Groups Expert Advisory Groups Standards Development Advisory Committees

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Building our Collaboration & International Linkages Jurisdictions & Government

agencies International agencies Research & educational bodies Industry

Strategic Aim

Enhance relationships with relevant national and international scientists and agencies


Risk Management advisory groups e.g. Jurisdictional Forum Food Incident Group Australian Government Food Communication Group Annual or bi-annual meetings with agencies including the New Zealand Food Safety

Authority (NZFSA), the National Measurement Institute (NMI), the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Department of Health and Aging (DoHA) and the New Zealand Ministry of Health (NZMOH).

A number of networks are established through FSANZ in various specialist areas of work including surveillance, dietary modelling, food composition, epidemiology and evaluation.

FSANZ also participates as an observer on the Food Regulation Standing Committee (FRSC) and is a member of the Implementation Sub Committee (ISC). FRSC is responsible for co-ordinating policy advice to the Ministerial Council and ensuring a nationally consistent approach to the implementation and enforcement of food standards. ISC is a subcommittee of the Food Regulation Standing Committee. Its role is to develop and oversee a consistent approach across Australian States and Territories to the implementation and enforcement of food regulations and standards, regardless of whether food is sourced from domestic producers, export-registered establishments or from imports.

International Collaborating with international agencies involved in ensuring food safety is increasingly important as the food supply expands and becomes more global. There are many international scientific bodies FSANZ collaborates with to continue to develop data collection and analysis methodologies. While it is recognised that food-related risks around the world may vary, sharing information, data and best practices in relation to food science regulation can promote consistent approaches to the analysis of risks. A number of individual FSANZ staff are also engaged in international activities including participating on expert bodies of FAO, WHO and OECD further building our collaboration with scientists around the world.

FSANZ regularly collaborates with international agencies to share knowledge and expertise including:

The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) The World Health Organisation (WHO) The FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additive (JECFA) The FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) Codex Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

In addition, FSANZ collaborates with international agencies through established networks (e.g. the International Food Chemical Safety Liaison Group and the Food Safety Quadrilateral Group6), participates in staff exchanges and attends relevant meetings and workshops with other agencies.

6 The Food Safety Quadrilateral Group comprises senior officials from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America governments and convenes annually to discuss strategic issues around food safety and to collaborate on specific projects of mutual interest/benefit.

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Research and educational bodies and industry

As a small agency it is recognised that there may be specific food regulatory issues that arise for which FSANZ does not have the expertise. There are many research agencies and universities nationally and internationally with expertise in specific areas of relevance to food regulatory science. Strengthening our linkages with these research agencies, universities and other educational institutions by teaching, collaborative projects, invitations to participate in our activities or become part of our expert groups can assist with increasing the FSANZ knowledge base.

A number of existing mechanisms are in place to enhance FSANZ’s collaboration with research agencies, universities and educational institutions including:

FSANZ Fellows Program Student projects Scientific or Expert Advisory Committees

These programs and groups provide a foundation for FSANZ to seek advice and guidance on specific areas of food regulatory science. FSANZ staff are also invited to become part of professional institutions, including becoming fellows of universities, which assists in enhancing collaboration.

Collaboration with industry is also valuable to FSANZ, as the food industry provides expertise and data on a range of areas including industrial processes and practices. Industry experts can provide valuable data and information which assists in building the FSANZ evidence base. Continuing to build collaboration with industry including sharing knowledge and information in relation to FSANZ methodologies and risk analysis process will aid in developing a better understanding of food regulatory science.

FSANZ regularly collaborates with industry to share knowledge and expertise including through the Retailers and Manufacturers Liaison Committee (RML)7 and other networks established for specific food regulatory issues.

7 The RML is a network of major food retailers who meet regularly to discuss issues relating to the Code.

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Strategic Aim

Maximise our access to and utilisation of experts to provide advice on issues relating to food regulatory science


Specific Networks

The establishment of specific networks consisting of national and international government agencies, educational institutions or industry are useful for facilitating information sharing. FSANZ has a number of existing networks established to facilitate the sharing of expertise, information, data and best practice in relation to food regulatory science. Increasing our utilisation of existing networks and identifying and establishing new networks where appropriate will continue to enhance FSANZ linkages and further enhance food regulatory science.

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Strategic Aim

Develop new and enhance existing networks, including international, to facilitate information sharing

Strategic Area 3: Building our Collaboration and International Linkages

Building our collaboration and linkages with stakeholders assists in facilitating the sharing of information, data and best practice in relation to food regulatory science. Collaboration and developing networks also assists in identifying emerging risks and developing clear communication messages on risks related to food. Developing linkages and networks with jurisdictions, national and international scientists, academia and industry will assist in ensuring FSANZ has access to the best available information and data to make food regulatory decisions. To continue to build and enhance our linkages FSANZ will: Enhance relationships with relevant national and international scientists and agencies Maximise our access to and utilisation of experts to provide advice on issues relating

to food regulatory science Develop new and enhance existing networks, including international, to facilitate

information sharing


Strategic Area 4: Enhancing our Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

The food regulatory framework that operates in Australia and New Zealand is a collaboration between FSANZ, the Australian and New Zealand governments, State and Territory enforcement agencies, industry and consumers. Communicating our science, including any subsequent risk management options, with our stakeholders is an essential component of the risk analysis process. The purpose of communication is to allow for the sharing of information and opinions related to the scientific evidence and the perceived risks associated with the foods. It is the responsibility of all of our staff to ensure that there is effective communication of our science, involving an interactive dialogue between risk assessors, risk managers, specialist risk communicators and stakeholders. FSANZ has developed two strategies to assist in ensuring our communication and stakeholder engagement meets the requirements of our stakeholders.

Engage with Stakeholders

Sound stakeholder relations form an integral part of FSANZ work, particularly in relation to the scientific work undertaken. Stakeholders, including government, industry and consumers play an important role in providing opinions which can influence the strategic direction of food regulatory science. FSANZ recognises that effective stakeholder engagement is about constantly engaging with and listening to stakeholders. Stakeholder engagement is also about reaching out and involving stakeholders in the whole process including providing adequate time to consider the issues. FSANZ recognises that stakeholders are playing an increasingly important role in food regulatory science by providing different perceptions and views.

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Strategic Aim

Enhance linkages with our key stakeholders

Enhancing our Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Engage with stakeholders Communicating widely Promoting our science Transparency


Communicating widely

Our scientists have a role in ensuring that we communicate issues in a way that maintains the trust and confidence of the broader community. Our scientists aim to communicate our science in a manner that is accessible to all. To do this FSANZ uses a variety of mechanisms including our website which provides detailed information such as reports as well as fact sheets and webinars to explain aspects of our scientific assessments and risk management options. We recognise that it is important to ensure that our information is provided in a way that takes into account the knowledge base of all our stakeholders.

To ensure that we communicate our science in a way that is accessible for consumers, FSANZ has established a Consumer Liaison Committee (CLC)8. The CLCs main role is to provide advice and comment on a range of information and publications intended for publication including factsheets and website information.

Promoting our science

FSANZ undertakes scientific analysis of a range of issues which relate to food regulatory science. The nature of food regulatory science is such that often the work we undertake is unique. FSANZ aims to publish its work through reports, peer reviewed journal articles, factsheets and brochures so that this is available to the wider community. All scientific reports supporting standards development activities are publicly available on our website and we also publish our major surveillance, monitoring and evaluation activities. We have developed a ‘Technical Series’ of reports to ensure that our scientific reports continue to be accessible and are provided in a consistent format. Similarly, reviews of the scientific literature commissioned by FSANZ from external experts are generally available on the FSANZ website. Peer reviews of our approach to specific areas of food regulatory science are also made available on the website once completed.

8 The CLC is committee made up of ‘grassroots’ consumers who provide input and advice to FSANZ on various issues including the development of factsheets for consumers.

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Strategic Aim

Communicate our science to a range of stakeholders in an appropriate manner

Strategic Aim

Enhance our reputation by promoting our science


Transparency

We recognise that it is important to be transparent in our application of science and as such our scientific reports are publicly available through the FSANZ website. The FSANZ consultation process opens our scientific analysis up to a wide range of stakeholders, who can hold differing views. In assessing stakeholder opinions to our scientific analysis it is important that FSANZ considers and addresses all views and issues identified. FSANZ recognises that during the consultation process, additional information may become available which will need to be included in the scientific analysis. FSANZ will consider all additional information and views of stakeholders with diligence and transparency.

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Strategic Aim

Be open to the range of views and assess these with rigour, diligence and transparency

Strategic Area 4: Enhancing our Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

Communicating to a wide range of stakeholders is an essential element of the FSANZ process and assists in maintaining transparency within the food regulatory system. FSANZ has a diverse range of stakeholders who have varying knowledge levels of food regulatory science. In communicating widely, FSANZ needs to ensure that its uses a wide range of mechanisms and communication media to ensure all stakeholders have appropriate access to information on scientific issues. FSANZ also needs to promote its science and ensure that the range of views are considered as part of the risk analysis process. To continue to enhance our communication and stakeholder engagement FSANZ will:

Enhance linkages with our key stakeholders Communicate our science to a range of stakeholders in an appropriate manner Enhance our reputation by promoting our science Be open to the range of views and assess these with rigour, diligence and

transparency


Strategic Area 5: Enhance our Capability to Identify and Respond to Emerging Issues

Food-related issues which start locally may quickly become national issues and, in many cases, international issues. The ability to identify and respond to existing emerging issues quickly is critical to ensuring there is no public health and safety risk and to ensure public confidence in the food supply. FSANZ uses information from a wide range of sources to alert us to emerging food issues that may arise within Australia and New Zealand or worldwide. The two factors which play a significant role here are communications and trade.

Within Australia, there are established protocols for the coordination of Australian Government agencies responsible for food safety and food issues in the event of a national food incident. The National Food Incident Response Protocol may be used to coordinate action at the national, State and Territory or local levels when triggered. The Protocol provides guidance on the response to national incidents linked to microbiological, chemical, radiological, physical or unknown hazards. In the case of outbreaks of foodborne illness, health authorities and the Australian Health Protection Committee are responsible for managing the outbreak investigation.

In relation to imported food issues, FSANZ works closely with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) within the framework of the Imported Food Inspection Scheme. FSANZ provides advice to AQIS on the level of public health risk posed by specific foods, whereas AQIS has operational responsibility for inspection and sampling of imported food.

Identifying issues

The ease of international communication means that the reporting of food-related issues is very rapid, alerting both food regulators and consumers, often at the same time. FSANZ is proactive at monitoring various media, both nationally and internationally, to identify any trends in food issues which may be relevant to Australia or New Zealand in relation to food.

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Strategic Aim

Continue to identify issues relating to food regulatory science

Enhancing our Capability to Identify & Respond to Emerging Issues Identifying issues Investigating issues Building linkages Predicting issues


FSANZ prepares and distributes information bulletins and newsletters including Food Standards News, Food Surveillance News and the Monitoring of Emerging Issues newsletter capturing various aspects of food regulatory science. FSANZ staff also receives electronic updates of media clips relating to food regulatory issues.

Investigating issues

FSANZ is often required to investigate and respond to existing and emerging issues by undertaking a risk analysis. When considering existing and emerging issues, the extent and depth of the risk analysis will depend on a number of factors, particularly the time constraints on responding to the issue. In undertaking any investigation FSANZ needs to ensure that risk analyses are based on the best available scientific evidence. Ensuring adequate risk management option and communication to stakeholders surrounding FSANZ action in response to emerging issues is also important. FSANZ advice is delivered via regular media releases and fact sheets to ensure our stakeholders are up-to-date and well informed of our position on emerging issues.

Building linkages

The extensive global trade in food means that any local issue can quickly become an issue in many parts of the world. Communicating widely with our regulatory partners internationally and other stakeholders can assist in the early identification of emerging issues. FSANZ has a number of networks which facilitate the discussion on issues related to food incidents. These networks provide a sound forum for the identification of emerging issues as well as the sharing of risk analysis processes to determining effective outcomes to these issues. It is also important that FSANZ continues to identify and establish new networks which may assist in enhancing our ability to identify emerging issues.

Predicting issues

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Strategic Aim

Increase our capability to predict and investigate potential emerging issues

Strategic Aim

Continue to build linkages with national and international agencies and food regulatory partners to share information on emerged and emerging issues

Strategic Aim

Investigate and respond to existing and emerging issues


The ability to predict potential emerging issues can assist in being prepared for any issues which may occur in Australia or New Zealand. Increasing FSANZ capability to predict potential emerging issues relies on our ability to monitor wider networks for re-occurring food issues. In addition to predicting re-occurring food risks it is important that FSANZ has capacity and resources to investigate these further to ensure that if a food risk does occur FSANZ can be prepared with appropriate management strategies.

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Strategic Area 5: Enhance our Capability to Identify and Respond to Emerging Issues

FSANZ needs to continue to enhance our capability to identify and respond rapidly to emerging and existing issues via rapid risk assessments to ensure the public health and safety of consumers. Additionally, building linkages and networks which allow the flow of information assists in ensuring FSANZ has access to as much relevant information regarding issues as possible. Enhancing our ability to predict issues will also assist FSANZ in being prepared for any issues which may arise quickly. To continue to enhance our capability to identify and respond to emerging issues FSANZ will:

Continue to identify issues relating to food regulatory science Investigate and respond to existing and emerging issues Continue to build linkages with national and international agencies and food

regulatory partners to share information on emerged and emerging issues Increase our capability to predict and investigate potential emerging issues


Strategic Area 6: Continue to Provide Leadership in Developing Food Regulatory Science Capacity

The sharing of knowledge and resources relating to food regulatory science is important to continue to enhance food safety within the global food environment. FSANZ is widely recognised as a centre of excellence in food regulation, and a leader in food science regulation issues. FSANZ has a significant role in providing leadership in developing regional food regulatory science. FSANZ works with various other national and international government and non-government organisations to assist in building technical knowledge and skills in relation to food regulatory science within the global food community.

National Building knowledge and capacity within Australia and New Zealand in relation to food regulatory science is essential in ensuring a collaborative and effective food regulatory system. FSANZ’s role within the food regulatory system is to assess the science and to provide risk management options. Building our regulatory partners’ knowledge of the risk analysis process including risk assessment methods for different areas and how these are used in developing risk management options will further enhance our capacity to work collaboratively within the Australian and New Zealand food regulatory system.

InternationalFSANZ is particularly active in providing leadership in developing food regulatory science capacity in the Asia-Pacific region. FSANZ is the co-chair of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Safety Cooperation Forum (FSCF), which aims to strengthen food safety within the APEC region. The broad goals of the FSCF are:

to develop transparent information-sharing and communication networks that provide accurate and timely information to consumers and producers on food safety;

to harmonise food safety standards, to the extent possible, with international standards and encourage food safety systems consistent with members’ rights and obligations under the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and the Technical Barriers to Trade Agreements of the World Trade Organisation; and

to enhance skills and human resource capacities to enable the development of national food safety regulatory systems that are harmonised with international standards.

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Continuing to Provide Leadership in Developing Food Regulatory Science Building knowledge Harmonising food regulations Prioritising capacity building Building collaborative partnerships


The APEC cooperative approach recognises the need to develop a more robust approach to strengthening food and consumer product safety standards and practices in the region, using scientific risk-based approaches and without creating unnecessary barriers to trade.

FSANZ also actively participates in the development of international food standards through the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) and its various committees. Participation in the work of Codex ensures that FSANZ has influence in the methods and approaches used in food regulatory science as well as involvement in the development of individual standards.

Building food regulatory science knowledge

Increasing knowledge of issues in relation to food regulatory science is important in building capacity both nationally and internationally. FSANZ has an active role in hosting and contributing to activities relating to increasing knowledge and skills in relation to food regulation science. In undertaking this work FSANZ aims to strengthen local technical and scientific capacity and develop effective educational tools and programs.

Harmonising food regulations

Many countries, particularly developing countries, are not equipped to respond to or analyse the risks associated with food. Lack of technical knowledge and effective infrastructure significantly hinders a country’s ability to undertake analysis of issues relating to health and food safety. Building capacity to undertake high quality food regulatory science is important to assist in improving health and food safety outcomes. Additionally improving this capacity may also assist in harmonising food regulations and facilitating trade.

Capacity building aims to develop sustainable skills, organisational structures and resources to assist organisation in undertaking work in relation to food safety issues. FSANZ has an active role in providing capacity building activities within the Asia-Pacific region. Food safety capacity building activities aim to promote the strengthening of food safety control systems at the national level by improving sustainability and international compliance. Additionally

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Strategic Aim

Contribute to building food regulatory science knowledge with regulatory partners both nationally and internationally to increase capacity

Strategic Aim

Assist in improving capacity to harmonise food regulations in the region to improve health and food safety outcomes


FSANZ works closely with APEC to build robust food safety systems amongst APEC member economies so as to accelerate progress towards harmonisation of food standards with international standards.

FSANZ also contributes to the work of global harmonisation of food standards through Codex. A key role of the Codex is to ensure fair trade practices in the food trade and promote the coordination of food standards work undertaken by international government and non-government organisations. FSANZ plays an active role in many Codex committees, in some cases leading the Australian delegation.

Prioritising capacity building

Capacity building must start with an assessment of gaps and needs to ensure that the activities are appropriate and will address deficiencies in knowledge, skills or infrastructure. The assessment of gaps assists in developing regional priorities for strengthening food regulatory science. FSANZ has an active role in undertaking needs assessments and responding to requests for assistance in relation to identifying and responding to food regulatory science needs. FSANZ also has an active role in the coordination of activities aimed at addressing any gaps identified.

Building collaborative partnerships

In developing capacity, it is important to continue to develop and enhance linkages to facilitate the flow of information. These linkages can assist in the sharing of knowledge and information in response to existing and emerging issues and may also assist in identifying gaps in food science analysis. FSANZ has an active role in establishing new international collaborative relationships in food safety capacity building, in undertaking a range of capacity building activities in the region and in providing training to visiting food safety officials. FSANZ also encourages linkages within the region during training activities to continue to assist other countries in developing wider networks and sharing information.

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Strategic Aim

Continue to develop a more robust approach to strengthening, prioritising and coordinating regional food regulatory activities

Strategic Aim

Maintain and enhance linkages with other countries to enable the sharing of knowledge and resources


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Strategic Area 6: Continue to Provide Leadership in Developing Food Regulatory Science Capacity

Continuing to build capacity and knowledge of food regulatory science with national and international partners is essential in building collaboration and harmonising food regulatory systems. FSANZ has an active role in building food regulatory knowledge, including identifying and prioritising capacity building activities and ensuring sharing of information with regulatory partners. To continue to provide leadership in developing food regulatory science FSANZ will:

Contribute to building food regulatory science knowledge with regulatory partners both nationally and internationally to increase capacity

Assist in improving capacity to harmonise food regulations in the region to improve health and food safety outcomes

Continue to develop a more robust approach to strengthening, prioritising and coordinating regional food regulatory activities

Maintain and enhance linkages with other countries to enable the sharing of knowledge and resources


Strategic Area 7: Measuring our Performance

Ensuring our scientific output is of a high standard and meets the objectives outlined in the FSANZ Act is critical. Measuring our performance is a key way of ensuring that we meet our objectives. FSANZ uses two main methods of measuring performance of our scientific outputs:

1. Peer Review2. Strategic Imperatives

Peer review

FSANZ utilises both internal and external peer review mechanisms to review scientific outputs related to food regulatory science. Internally FSANZ has a number of discipline groups, chaired by a senior FSANZ scientist from the relevant disciplines. These disciplines include: food technology; chemical safety; nutrition; biotechnology; and microbiology. A key function of the discipline groups is to provide an internal peer review function on our scientific analysis of particular issues. In addition to the discipline groups, FSANZ’s Chief Scientist, Risk Assessment Branch Manager and Chief Public Health Nutrition Advisor also act as internal peer reviewers.

In addition to internal peer review mechanisms, FSANZ also utilises external expertise to provide a critique of our scientific outputs. Our statutory consultation procedures require us to consult on the scientific reports associated with the development and amendment of food regulatory measures. FSANZ utilises this process to seek expert opinions from scientists throughout Australia and Zealand. FSANZ also seeks formal peer review of a number of our key scientific assessments and reports from independent experts both domestically and internationally. The review process may take several different formats, ranging from individual experts to an expert committee. External peer review is usually sought on highly complex food regulatory science issues.

External peer review mechanisms are also utilised for our scientific processes or specific work areas. Under the last Science Strategy (2006-09) FSANZ subjected a number of our scientific processes to external peer review including:

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Strategic Aim

Continue to subject our scientific outputs and processes to review

Measuring our Performance Peer review Strategic imperatives


dietary modelling procedures and processes genetically modified (GM) food safety assessment procedures and processes; and food composition procedures and processes.

These types of peer reviews provide a rigorous critique of the processes used by FSANZ in undertaking food regulatory science, including identifying areas for improvement in the processes used by FSANZ. Continuing to subject our scientific outputs and processes to peer review will allow FSANZ to further develop the tools used in our food regulatory science.

Strategic Imperatives

Strategic imperatives are four key areas of strategy which shape the overarching strategic framework of FSANZ, and are identified in the FSANZ Corporate Plan 2009-2012. One of the primary strategic imperatives established for the development of food regulatory standards is that they are supported by good science and are based on a strong scientific evidence base. This imperative aims to ensure that the standards FSANZ develops are: clear and easy to understand; soundly based on evidence; and anticipate innovation and new technologies. FSANZ utilises both internal and external reviews of our scientific methodology, processes and practices to facilitate the continual enhancement of our scientific analysis processes. FSANZ also benchmarks its performance against international best practices, while having regard to the resources available to us.

To ensure that FSANZ continues to measure our performance in relation to food regulatory science, a number of strategies have developed to measure this. These strategies cover a number of specific areas of FSANZ food regulatory work including:

Reputation management Stakeholder engagement Communication Project Management9

9 FSANZ has developed a Project Management document to assist both new and experienced staff to plan, implement and complete projects in FSANZ. This document includes a project management methodology as well as definitions, checklists, templates and tips on good practice.

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Strategic Aim

Evaluate strategies adopted to improve our food regulatory science

Strategic Aim

Continue to monitor and evaluate the quality of our science

http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/_srcfiles/Corporate%20Plan%20Brochure.pdf


In measuring performance FSANZ will utilise these strategies, including the Science Strategy 2010-2015, to evaluate its performance.

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Strategic Area 7: Measuring Our Performance

To continue to maintain a high standard of food regulatory science, it is essential that FSANZ evaluates its performance to ensure that our key objectives are met. Subjecting FSANZ outputs and processes to peer review will assist in ensuring the highest level of food regulatory science. To measure our performance FSANZ will:

Continue to subject our scientific outputs to review Continue to monitor and evaluate the quality of our science Evaluate strategies adopted to improve our food regulatory science


Attachment 1

FSANZ Scientific Organisational Structure*

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Chief Scientist Branch

Strategic Science, International &

Surveillance

Chief Public Health Nutrition

Advisor

Risk Assessment Branch

Risk Assessment – Chemical Safety

Risk Assessment - Microbiology

Food Composition, Evaluation & Monitoring

Risk Assessment – Public Health

Nutrition

Food Standards - Canberra

Food Safety

Public Health Nutrition Standards

Consumer and Social Science

Regulatory Analysis

Food Standards - Wellington

Labelling and Information Standards

Product Safety Standards

Communication and Stakeholder

Engagement

Risk Assessment Risk Management

* This representation of FSANZ shows only the scientific sections and is not the entire FSANZ organisational structure. Additional sections (not included in this figure) are involved in the risk management of food regulatory science including the Office of Legal Counsel and Standards Management & Parliamentary Liaison.

Risk Communication

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