Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 1.4.4 – Prohibited and restricted plants and fungi

Administered by Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Legislation au F2015L00416 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Standard 1.4.4 Prohibited and restricted plants and fungi

Note 1 This instrument is a standard under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth). The standards together make up the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. See also section 1.1.1—3.

Note 2 The provisions of the Code that apply in New Zealand are incorporated in, or adopted under, the Food Act 2014 (NZ). See also section 1.1.1—3.

Note 3 Paragraphs 1.1.1—10(5)(a) and (6)(e) provide that a food for sale must not consist of, or have as an ingredient or a component, a prohibited or restricted plant or fungus, or coca bush, unless expressly permitted by this Code. This Standard contains the relevant permissions.

1.4.4—1 Name

  This Standard is Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code Standard 1.4.4 Prohibited and restricted plants and fungi.

 Note Commencement:
This Standard commences on 1 March 2016, being the date specified as the commencement date in notices in the Gazette and the New Zealand Gazette under section 92 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth). See also section 93 of that Act.

1.4.4—2 Definitions

Note 1 In this Code (see sections 1.1.2—2 and 1.1.2—3):

 claim means an express or implied statement, representation, design or information in relation to a food or a property of food which is not mandatory in this Code

 coca bush means:

 (a) Eurythroxylum coca; or

 (b) a substance derived from Eurythroxylum coca.

 health claim means a claim which states, suggests or implies that a food or a property of food has, or may have, a health effect

  health effect means an effect on the human body, including an effect on one or more of the following:

 (a) a biochemical process or outcome;

 (b) a physiological process or outcome;

 (c) a functional process or outcome;

 (d) growth and development;

 (e) physical performance;

 (f) mental performance;

 (g) a disease, disorder or condition.

  label, in relation to a food being sold, means any tag, brand, mark or statement in writing or any representation or design or descriptive matter that:

 (a) is attached to the food or is a part of or attached to its packaging; or

 (b) accompanies and is provided to the purchaser with the food; or

 (c) is displayed in connection with the food when it is sold.

 prohibited plant or fungus means:

 (a) a plant or fungus listed in Schedule 23; or

 (b) a part or a derivative of such a plant or fungus; or

 (c) a substance derived from a plant, fungus, part or derivative referred to in paragraph (a) or (b).

 property of food means a component, ingredient, constituent or other feature of food.

 restricted plant or fungus means:

 (a) a plant or fungus listed in Schedule 24; or

 (b) a part or a derivative of such a plant or fungus; or

 (c) a substance derived from a plant, fungus, part or derivative referred to in paragraph (a) or (b).

Note 2 Section 1.1.2—9 (Definition of nutrition content claim) provides as follows:

 (1) In this Code:

 nutrition content claim means a claim that:

 (a) is about:

 (i) the presence or absence of any of the following:

 (A) a biologically active substance;

 (B) dietary fibre;

 (C) energy;

 (D) minerals;

 (E) potassium;

 (F) protein;

 (G) carbohydrate;

 (H) fat;

 (I) the components of any one of protein, carbohydrate or fat;

 (J) salt;

 (K) sodium;

 (L) vitamins; or

 (ii) glycaemic index or glycaemic load; and

 (b) does not refer to the presence or absence of alcohol; and

 (c) is not a health claim.

 Note See also subsections 1.1.2—9(2) to (4), 2.6.2—5(4) and 2.10.2—8(3).

Note 3  Standard 1.2.7 prescribes requirements for making health claims and nutrition content claims.

1.4.4—3 Exception to prohibition relating to restricted plants and fungi

  A restricted plant or fungus may be used as an ingredient in a food only if it complies with the requirements for natural toxicants in section 1.4.1—3 and subsection S19—6(1).

1.4.4—4 Exception relating to coca bush

  Coca bush may be used as an ingredient in a food if the cocaine has been removed.

1.4.4—5 Exception relating to raw apricot kernels

  Raw apricot kernels may be used as an ingredient in a food for sale if the kernels have been or will be subject to processing or a treatment that renders them safe for human consumption.

1.4.4—6 Exception relating to Cannabis sativa seeds and seed products

 (1) Cannabis sativa seeds may be a food for sale or used as an ingredient in a food for sale if:

 (a) the seeds:

 (i) are seeds of low THC Cannabis sativa; and

 (ii) contain not more than 5 mg/kg of total THC; and

 (iii) if the food is for retail sale – are non-viable and hulled; and

 (b) the only cannabinoids in or on the seeds are naturally present.

 (2) Subject to subsection (3), all or any of the following seed products may be a food for sale or used as an ingredient in a food for sale:

 (a) oil extracted from seeds of low THC Cannabis sativa if the oil contains not more than 10 mg/kg of total THC;

 (b) a beverage derived from seeds of low THC Cannabis sativa if the beverage contains not more than 0.2 mg/kg of total THC;

 (c) any other product that is extracted or derived from seeds of low THC Cannabis sativa and contains not more than 5 mg/kg of total THC.

 (3) The only cannabinoids in the product must be those that were naturally present in or on the seeds from which the product was extracted or derived.

 (4) In subsection (2):

seeds of low THC Cannabis sativa includes viable and unhulled seeds.

 (5) In this section:

hulled seeds means seeds from which the outer coat or hull of seeds has been removed.

low THC Cannabis sativa has the meaning given by subsection (6).

non-viable seeds means seeds that are not able to germinate.

seeds includes a part of a seed.

total THC means the total amount of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and delta 9tetrahydrocannabinolic acid.

 (6) Cannabis sativa is low THC Cannabis sativa if the leaves and flowering heads of the Cannabis sativa do not contain more than 1% delta 9tetrahydrocannabinol.

1.4.4—7 Restriction on claims and representations about foods that are or which contain hemp food products

 (1) This section applies to a food for sale that consists of, or has as an ingredient, a hemp food product.

 (2) The food for sale must not be labelled or otherwise presented for sale in a form which expressly or by implication suggests that the product has a psychoactive effect.

 (3) The label for the food for sale must not include:

  (a) a nutrition content claim about cannabidiol; or

  (b) a *health claim about cannabidiol; or

 (c) an image or representation of any part of the Cannabis sativa plant (including the leaf of that plant) other than the seed; or

 (d) the words ‘cannabis’, ‘marijuana’ or words of similar meaning.

 (4)  The label for the food for sale may include the word ‘hemp’.

 (5) In this section:

Hemp food product means Cannabis sativa seeds and/or a seed product that are permitted by section 1.4.4—6 to be a food for sale or used as an ingredient in a food for sale.

Psychoactive effect means:

 (a) stimulation or depression of a person's central nervous system, resulting in hallucinations or in a significant disturbance in, or significant change to, motor function, thinking, behaviour, perception, awareness or mood; or

 (b) causing a state of dependence, including physical or psychological addiction.

1.4.4—8 Level of cannabidiol in food for sale

  Cannabidiol must not be present in any food for sale at a level greater than 75 mg/kg.

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Amendment History

The Amendment History provides information about each amendment to the Standard. The information includes commencement or cessation information for relevant amendments.

 

These amendments are made under section 92 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 unless otherwise indicated. Amendments do not have a specific date for cessation unless indicated as such.

 

About this compilation

 

This is a compilation No. 2 of Standard 1.4.4 as in force on 12 November 2017 (up to Amendment No. 169). It includes any commenced amendment affecting the compilation to that date.

 

Prepared by Food Standards Australia New Zealand on 12 November 2017.

 

Uncommenced amendments or provisions ceasing to have effect

 

To assist stakeholders, the effect of any uncommenced amendments or provisions which will cease to have effect, may be reflected in the Standard as shaded boxed text with the relevant commencement or cessation date. These amendments will be reflected in a compilation registered on the Federal Register of Legislation including or omitting those amendments and provided in the Amendment History once the date is passed.

 

 

The following abbreviations may be used in the table below:

 

ad = added or inserted am = amended

exp = expired or ceased to have effect rep = repealed

rs = repealed and substituted

 

Standard 1.4.4 was published in the Food Standards Gazette No. FSC96 on 10 April 2015 as part of Amendment 154 (F2015L00416 –- 31 March 2015) and has since been amended as follows:

 

Section affected

A’ment No.

FRL registration

Gazette

Commencement

(Cessation)

How affected

Description of amendment

Note 1.4.4—2

169

F2017L0499

4 May 2017

FSC111

11 May 2017

 

12 Nov 2017

rs

Note replaced with Notes 1, 2 and 3

1.4.4—5

159

F2015L01913

2 Dec 2015

FSC101

7 Dec 2015

 

1 March 2016

 

ad

Section relating to raw apricot kernels.

1.4.4—6

169

F2017L0499

4 May 2017

FSC111

11 May 2017

 

12 Nov 2017

ad

Section relating to exception for Cannabis sativa seeds and seed products.

1.4.4—7

169

F2017L0499

4 May 2017

FSC111

11 May 2017

 

12 Nov 2017

ad

Section relating to restrictions on claims and representations about foods that are or which contain hemp food products.

1.4.4—8

 

 

 

 

169

F2017L0499

4 May 2017

FSC111

11 May 2017

12 Nov 2017

ad

Section relating to restrictions on claims and representations about foods that are or which contain hemp food products.

 

 

Overview

The Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth) is the foundation for the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, which is overseen by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). The legislation was enacted to ensure food safety and consumer protection by establishing a unified food regulatory framework across Australia and New Zealand. The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 1.4.4 – Prohibited and restricted plants and fungi, enacted under this Act, addresses the problem of ensuring that foods for sale do not contain harmful or restricted plants and fungi, such as coca bush, raw apricot kernels, and certain cannabis derivatives, unless expressly permitted. The Standard sets out specific exceptions and conditions for the use of these substances in food, aiming to protect public health while allowing for the safe use of certain restricted substances under controlled conditions. The policy objective of this Standard is to prevent the sale of foods containing prohibited or restricted substances, thereby safeguarding consumer health and maintaining consumer confidence in the food supply.

Scope and Application

Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 1.4.4 – Prohibited and restricted plants and fungi is a legislative instrument under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991, and it applies to both Australia and New Zealand as part of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. This Standard, which commenced on 1 March 2016, governs the use of prohibited and restricted plants and fungi in food products for sale, ensuring that such foods do not contain these substances unless expressly permitted by the Code. The Standard includes specific exceptions, such as the allowance for coca bush if cocaine has been removed, and restrictions on the use of raw apricot kernels and Cannabis sativa seeds and their derivatives, provided they meet certain safety and THC content criteria. Additionally, it imposes restrictions on the claims and representations made about foods containing hemp food products, prohibiting certain labels and claims that suggest a psychoactive effect or exceed the allowed level of cannabidiol. The Standard also sets a maximum allowable level of cannabidiol in food for sale.

Key Provisions

The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 1.4.4 – Prohibited and restricted plants and fungi establishes the conditions under which certain plants and fungi can be used in food products sold within Australia and New Zealand. It commences on 1 March 2016 and is part of the broader Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth). This Standard prohibits the use of any food ingredient that is a prohibited or restricted plant or fungus, or coca bush, unless specifically allowed by this Code. The definitions provided clarify the terms used, such as "prohibited plant or fungus" and "restricted plant or fungus," which include plants listed in Schedules 23 and 24, respectively, along with their parts, derivatives, and substances derived from them. Notably, Coca bush is permitted only if the cocaine has been removed. Similarly, raw apricot kernels are allowed if they undergo processing to ensure safety for human consumption. Entities and parties governed by this Standard must ensure that any food products they sell do not contain any prohibited or restricted plants or fungi unless specifically permitted. This includes adhering to the conditions for using restricted plants and fungi, which must comply with the requirements for natural toxicants. Additionally, products containing hemp must not suggest psychoactive effects and must comply with labelling restrictions, such as not including certain health claims, images, or terms related to cannabis or marijuana. The Standard also sets a maximum limit of 75 mg/kg for cannabidiol in food products. Breaches of this Standard may result in civil or criminal penalties. For example, selling food products that do not comply with the restrictions on prohibited or restricted plants and fungi can lead to penalties under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991. The maximum penalties for such offences can vary depending on the nature and severity of the breach, including potential fines and imprisonment for serious violations. Ensuring compliance with these provisions is crucial for maintaining food safety and regulatory standards.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.