The Imported Food Control Amendment Act 2018 has amended the Imported Food Control Act 1992. Under the amended law, Australia can better manage imported food safety risks and meet international trading obligations. The changes will increase importers accountability for food safety, increase importers sourcing safe food, improve monitoring and management of new and emerging food safety risks, and improve incident response.
The amendments have become effective, except for the following:
- Food importers will have 12 months to adjust business practices before the new documentary evidence and traceability requirements become enforceable.
- The authority to require food safety management certificates for certain types of food will only come into effect after 12 months.
Comments can be sent until February 28, 2019.
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