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Imported Food Inspection Scheme
The Imported Food Inspection Scheme is jointly run by AQIS and FSANZ. FSANZ develops food risk assessment policy for the Imported Food Inspection Scheme and AQIS has operational responsibility for inspection and sampling.
The legal basis for the inspection of imported food in Australia is the Imported Food Control Act 1992.
Inspections of food against Australian requirements are carried out by authorised AQIS officers. The standards applied are those set down in the Australian Food Standards Code and these same standards apply to foods manufactured in Australia. FSANZ is responsible for developing and maintaining the Food Standards Code under the Australia New Zealand Food Authority Act 1991.
Achievements
- about 35,000 product lines were referred to Imported Food Inspection Scheme for inspection and testing; 1900 failed to meet the Australian Foods Standards Code
- a National Competition Policy Review of the Imported Food Control Act 1992 was completed, and
- reform of the Imported Food Advisory Committee into a more representative consultative committee was begun.
Analysis
The report of the National Competition Policy Review of the Imported Food Control Act 1992 contains 23 recommendations on improving service delivery to food importers. While consideration is still being given to the recommendations, AQIS has already embraced many of the report's concepts, for example, co-regulation based on the use of Quality Assurance or Compliance Arrangements linked to risk and performance.
AQIS is also developing more flexible and consistent sampling arrangements as well as ensuring more focused testing of foods. Central to this process is fundamental reform of the way the program operates in consultation with the industry.