FSANZ Board Communique: 14 & 15 September 2026 Meeting

The Food Standards Australia New Zealand Board met on 14 & 15 September 2026 to discuss standards matters.

The FSANZ Board is the accountable authority for the agency.

The Food Ministers Meeting (FMM) routinely ask for certain matters of particular interest decided by the FSANZ Board to be considered in-session at FMM where possible. FSANZ and the FMM Secretariat work collaboratively to align meeting dates as the FSANZ Act requires the FMM to consider FSANZ Board decisions within 60 days of being notified of those decisions. Food ministers requested A1341 - Cell-cultured duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) biomass to be used as a food ingredient be given in-session consideration. 

To accommodate the request for in-session FMM consideration while also meeting its statutory timeframes, the FSANZ Board held an in-depth discussion to support its decision at an extraordinary meeting scheduled for 6 October 2026.

The Board’s preliminary discussions supported in-principle the proposed approaches to use cell-cultured duck biomass in combination with other ingredients to make products such as foie gras and pâté. 

First Assistant Secretary Population Health Division at the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

The Board welcomed Helen Grinbergs to her new role and engaged in a discussion of the Australian Government’s priorities for the food regulatory system. 

Proposal P1067 – Health Star Rating System

The Board received an update on Proposal P1067 – Health Star Rating System. The update included progress on consultation activities, stakeholder feedback received to date and planned next steps. The Board noted the ongoing work being undertaken in response to the request from Food Ministers.