Australia’s country of origin labelling system for food products is to be overhauled following agreement by State and Territory Ministers for Consumer Affairs. Food offered for retail sale in Australia will be required to be labelled more clearly to inform consumers of the product’s origins.
Australian TGA on cyber security
In a timely note, the March 2016 edition of the Medical Devices Safety Update, put out by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, highlights medical device cyber security as a key issue.
Interestingly, this comes shortly after the release by
Australia – ehealth amendments
As part of the Australian Government’s digital health agenda, the Health Legislation Amendment (eHealth) Act 2015 (the Act) has recently been assented to. The personally controlled electronic health record (PCEHR) system was launched in July 2012. eHealth records are an online summary of an individuals’ health information. The individual controls what is included in the record and who can access it, and the eHealth record allows the individual and his or her doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers to view and share the individual’s health information.
Updates to low THC hemp food in Australia
As previously noted, low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) hemp for human consumption in Australia has been mooted as a potential basis of inexpensive food and expanded sales capability for farmers who currently grow hemp for industrial purposes. This has been particularly sought after in Tasmania where the majority of industrial hemp is currently grown.
Australia – New twist in the battle between the Commonwealth and originator pharma
What it means:
- The Commonwealth’s desire to pursue damages pursuant to the usual undertaking seems firmly entrenched. Pharmaceutical patent holders need to consider this prior to commencing infringement actions.
- The Commonwealth seems to be guarded regarding the potential success of
Australia – Inquiry into Intellectual Property Arrangements
The Australian Federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey, recently announced that there will be an inquiry into Australia’s intellectual property arrangements. The inquiry, to be conducted by the Productivity Commission, the Australian Government’s independent research and advisory body, will examine the balance
Push for industrial hemp for human consumption in Australia grows
State and Federal Tasmanian Members of Parliament have stepped up the pressure on the Federal Government to allow production of industrial hemp for human consumption.
In Australia, the National Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP) includes
FSANZ calls for submissions on GM soybean
Food Safety Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has opened submissions into a request by Monsanto Australia (Monsanto) to market (but not cultivate) food based on a genetically modified soybean line, MON-87751. MON-87751 has been genetically engineered to
Australian Government begins second awareness campaign for Health Star Rating
The Australian Government has begun further awareness raising for its multi-million dollar Health Star Rating (Health Star) system. The Health Star system aims to aid in the education of Australians regarding their food choices, through a complicated 5
Australian – Stock and Pet Food Regulation
The Australian Government recently made substantial amendments to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Regulations 1995 (Agvet Code Regulations)[1]. These amendments were intended to reduce the impacts of regulation on low risk stock food and pet