The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has announced a call for submissions on a proposal, which if approved, would include requirements to allow for the safe production of a wider range of raw milk products.
The Food Standards Code currently permits the production and sale of a very limited range of raw milk cheeses such as cheeses that have been cooked in production such asparmesan and gruyere.
Under the new proposal, other kinds of cheeses such as hard blue cheeses or cheddars may be produced using raw milk as long as stringent requirements in the Code are met.
These requirements include additional animal health, milking hygiene and temperature control rules. Businesses would have to demonstrate to enforcement agencies that they are able to meet the requirements.
FSANZ expects to notify ministers responsible for food regulation of its decision on the proposal in late 2014. If ministers approve the decision, the changes are expected to come into effect in early 2015.
