Amendments to the Imported Food Control Order 2019 – Proposed changes to the food safety requirements for dates, enoki mushrooms, melons, pufferfish, and kava

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-requirementsThe 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.