The Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation is calling for submissions on its foodborne illness reduction strategy targeting Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Foodborne illness caused by Salmonella has been significantly increasing over the past 20 years and, compared to many similar countries, Australia has one of the highest notification rates for these illnesses. Campylobacter is the most commonly notified cause of gastroenteritis in Australia, with the median number of annual cases estimated in 2010 to be around 234,000.

The Australian Foodborne Illness Reduction Strategy 2018-2021+ is being developed in collaboration with industry and is currently open for consultation. The strategy includes core areas of action over the short, medium and long terms, some of which will impact on the way food safety is managed in the horticulture industry, including reviewing the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and compliance provisions in the Model Food Act.

The forum’s secretariat is calling for submissions (preferably online) in response to the consultation document, which is available online.

This post appeared in the AUSVEG Weekly Update published 14 February 2018.