Ministerial Food Council update
The Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council  met on December 3 in Adelaide to discuss a range of food and health issues. Some of the topics raised in the latest Food Communiqué included: the health implications of caffeinated energy drinks, improvement of public awareness of the nutrition content of take away food and recent international developments and efforts made by Australian and New Zealand industry in phasing out the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) chemicals in baby bottles.
The Council also considered a report by FSANZ and determined that exposure of BPA from food sources in Australia and New Zealand is well below the internationally established safe levels and poses no significant human health risk.
Ministers noted that the low levels of exposure are likely to decrease even further as a result of the industry initiatives to phase out the use of BPA in various food containers. The Ministerial Council sought assurances from FSANZ to continue to liaise with industry in relation to alternative packaging materials such as stainless steel, glass, or BPA-free plastics to ensure their safety. Read the Food Communiqué >>
Blewett Food labelling review
At the Council meeting, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Catherine King said Ministers received a detailed briefing by Dr Neal Blewett who chaired the independent Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy. "The Panel members are finalising their report and recommendations which will be provided to the Ministerial Council in late January and will then be publicly released," Ms King said.
Patsy Dinnen retires
 The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has bid a fond farewell to much-loved AFGC stalwart Patsy Dinnen.
Famous for her vivacious charm and warm personality with members, Dinnen – who has worked for AFGC since 2002 – leaves behind a wonderful legacy of memories, achievements and close friends as she celebrates her retirement in Canberra. Read more >>
Supply Chain
Pallet industry develop code of conduct
 A group of industry stakeholders, facilitated by the Office of the Victorian Small Business Commissioner (OVSBC), is proposing a Code of Practice for the transfer and loan of pallets in Victoria. The intention is that the code could be adopted nationally. Retailers, suppliers, pallet providers, logistics providers and industry associations are involved in the broader discussion group, with a working group to develop the Code.
AFGC will attend the broader group meetings and supporting the inclusion of measures which simplify and standardise pallet transfer processes and documentation. Learn more >> 
Australian Logisitics Council (ALC) new strategic plan
The ALC Strategic Plan 2011 - 2013 addresses the depth of the transport and logistics industry and the efficiency of the total supply chain. Read the ALC Strategic Plan >>
Highlights:
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Deliver a comprehensive transport & logistics infrastructure report on current status and future trends
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Promoting safety best practices
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Advocacy on energy efficiency
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Advocacy on Henry Tax Review
ALC December Update
The December edition of the Australian Logistics Council’s update is available for free download from www.austlogistics.com.au.
Government & Regulation
AFGC Submission on Product Stewardship Legislation Consultation
Key issues AFGC raised in response to the recent submission as part of the Federal Government's consultation into new Product Stewardship Legislation under the National Waste Policy include:
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Policy consistency
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Risk impact assessement
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Approach proportionate to risk and impact levels (i.e voluntary, co-regulatory or mandatory)
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Recommendation on when mandatory schemes are relevant
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Clear articulation of government and industry roles and objectives.
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Read submission summary >> Read submission >>
Product Information Form (PIF)
 PIF is used by companies to provide a wide variety of information on products about ingredients, their composition, the presence of allergens and other information. The PIF is intended to permit all ingredient suppliers and food manufacturers to use a single document to satisfy their information needs to meet the legal obligations under Food Standards and Consumer protection requirements. Keep up-to-date >>
Health, Nutrition & Scientific Affairs
GoScan Mobile Phone App
 bar codes member companies are working with GS1 Australia to develop a mobile phone application which will allow shoppers to scan product barcodes with their mobile phones and access a range of product information. It is anticipated that GoScan will be ready by mid next year. For further information contact Kim Leighton, AFGC Director, Food Policy & Regulation.
Code of Practice for Food Labelling and Promotion - Webinars January - February 2011
AFGC's Code of Practice for Food Labelling and Promotion will come into effect on 1 January 2010. At this series of webinars you will learn about the details of the Code of Practice, how to comply with specified provisions, and how your company may come on board as a formal signatory. Webinars will be held from late January to early February. Learn more & register to secure your place >>
Sustainability
Population Growth and Sustainability
The Federal Parliamentary Library released a new report on population growth and sustainability. The report asserts that "should Australia's population reach the 'Big Australia' projection of 35.9 million by 2050 this will not put serious pressure on Australia's non-renewable resource stock or capacity to feed the nation." Read the report >>
AFGC supporting Love Food Hate Waste Christmas Initiative
 Launched this month, Love Food Hate Waste this Christmas, provides consumers with an online guide to buying, storing and preparing food.
AFGC joined as inaugural sponsor of the NSW Department of Environment Climate Change and Water’s Love Food Hate Waste initiative in May this year, to work together to reduce some of the $2.5 billion worth of food that is thrown away in NSW each year. Currently AFGC is working with the Love Food Hate Waste initiative to help promote ways to avoid food wastage and composting of food waste.
Congratulations Dr Trish McGee!
 The Winner of the 2010 Pam Keating Award from the Waste Management Association of Australia (WMAA) is quiet achiever, Dr Trish McGee. Trish is the Program Manager – Shopping Centres, Airports and Tertiary Education Institutions and State Liaison for Victoria and Tasmania for the AFGC's Packaging Stewardship Forum.
The Pam Keating Award Stewardship women who have made a significant contribution to the Victorian environment industry. Trish has been involved in the area of sustainable waste management for over 12 years, and gained the award through her work over the past two years with the Packaging Steardship Forum and with state government agencies, Sustainability Victoria and EcoRecycle Victoria.
Queensland Rugby on the ball at Ballymore
 Queensland Rugby (QRU) is reducing its environmental footprint and maximising its recycling capacity with help from a group invested in the stewardship of our natural resources.
QRU has secured funding from AFGC's Packaging Stewardship Forum (PSF), whose members are Australia’s largest beverage manufacturers and their packaging suppliers, to install new recycling systems at Ballymore which will reduce overall impact on landfill.
PSF General Manager Jenny Pickles congratulated QRU on their enthusiasm in tackling the challenges associated with away from home recycling.
“Queensland Rugby recognised and was eager to maximise their recycling potential at Ballymore and we came on board with our expertise about how to do it," Ms Pickles said. Read more >>
Industry News
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