Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ) improved web site will make it easier for consumers, the food industry and health professionals to find information about food standards and other food concerns.

Launching the new web site in Canberra today, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne, said the improved web site has advanced search facilities that made it much easier for people to find the information they needed.

“In the May 2006 Budget the Australian Government announced $2.9 million over two years to usher in a streamlined system of food standard approvals through FSANZ,” Mr Pyne said.

“This included improvements in consultation and an upgrade of the FSANZ web site.

‘Following a survey of users, the web site has been redesigned and made easier to navigate. The web site has more than 2,000 pages of information on a wide variety of food matters including: food standards and how to change them, food recalls, consumer information and scientific and technical reports.

“An average of 5,000 people visit the FSANZ web site every day, and use is particularly high when there is a round of public comment, a new education campaign or a food recall or emergency. Over the coming months FSANZ will be working on further improvements of this important communication tool, including interactive material, sound and video files.

“I encourage the food industry, consumers, health professionals and students to take advantage of this useful web site,” Mr Pyne said.

Mr Pyne launched the web site on the 15th anniversary of the foundation of FSANZ as the National Food Authority in August 1991. The FSANZ web site can be accessed at www.foodstandards.gov.au