Fresh ready-to-eat dates; fresh enoki mushrooms; melons that are whole or ready-to-eat cut (fresh or frozen); pufferfish and kava

Amendments to the Imported Food Control Order 2019 – Proposed changes to the food safety requirements for dates, enoki mushrooms, melons, pufferfish, and kava. Language(s): English. Number of pages: 38

Australia is proposing new food safety import requirements for dates, enoki mushrooms, melons, pufferfish and kava.

A consultation paper has been prepared to provide detail and invite comments on the proposed changes. Submissions can be prepared and lodged through the following link:

https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/new-food-safety-requirements.

The proposed changes are:

·        Fresh ready-to-eat dates – imports will need a valid mandatory food safety management certificate;

·        Fresh enoki mushrooms – imports will be inspected and tested for Listeria monocytogenes. Detection of the pathogen in any sample will not be permitted;

·        Whole or ready-to-eat cut (fresh or frozen) melons – imports will need a valid mandatory food safety management certificate. Imports of ready-to-eat cut melon will also be inspected and tested for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp.;

·        Pufferfish – imports will need a valid mandatory foreign government certificate;

·        Kava - imports from New Zealand will be inspected.