Department/Agency
Food Standards Australian New Zealand (FSANZ)
Decided by
National Standard Setting Body
Problem being addressed
Fresh fruit and vegetables are important components of a healthy diet, and horticultural produce in Australia is generally considered safe. However, production and consumption of fresh horticultural produce continues to result, on occasion, in foodborne illness.
RIS decision
Intergovernmental RIS required
Proposal
This consultation RIS examines a range of options for addressing the risks identified with the current standards for primary production and processing requirements for berries, leafy vegetables and melons, including:
• maintaining the status quo
• regulatory measures only
• a combination of regulatory and non-regulatory measures
• non-regulatory measures only.
For the preferred option, FSANZ estimates the costs to businesses would be offset by the benefits of a reduction in foodborne illness. The cost-benefit analysis estimates the preferred option would cost $0.1–0.3 to achieve every $1 benefit for berries, $0.2–0.6 for every $1 benefit for leafy vegetables, and $0.02–$0.05 for every $1 benefit for melons. FSANZ estimates that implementation of the preferred option would deliver approximately $138 million in net benefits over a ten-year period.
The consultation RIS provides interested parties the opportunity to provide feedback on the consultation RIS, including the preliminary estimates of costs and benefits. More information on providing feedback is available on the FSANZ website at the link below.
Assessed RIS outcome
Compliant
Announcement date
18 November 2021
Link to announcement and further documents