As the global food system rapidly evolves, the intersection of food safety and innovation has become one of the most critical areas of regulatory focus.
In Australia and New Zealand, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) sits at the centre of this transformation, tasked with evaluating and approving food additives, managing risk, and ensuring food standards are clearly communicated to the public.
Dr Sandra Cuthbert, CEO of FSANZ, has a clear mission: Enable innovation while protecting public health, all within a dynamic and increasingly international landscape.
“Innovation and technology are driving rapid change in the food sector, and our role is to ensure regulation keeps pace,” Dr Cuthbert said.
“We’re working to future-proof our system by applying rigorous assessment processes to new foods, updating standards to reflect emerging technologies, and exploring how tools like AI will shape how food standards are developed and applied.”
Dr Cuthbert will be a key speaker at the upcoming Ingredient Safety Symposium in Sydney, hosted by the International Council of Beverages Associations (Apac) and the Australian Beverages Council Limited (ABCL), an essential event for anyone who cares about the future of food and beverages.
Innovation driving change
One of FSANZ’s most notable recent milestones was the approval of a cell-cultured quail product, the first of its kind in the region. The scientific review was complex, but the outcome set a key precedent, demonstrating that emerging food technologies can be assessed safely and transparently.
“The assessment of cell-cultured quail was complex, but it gave us the opportunity to establish a new regulatory framework that safeguards public health and provides innovators with a clear, predictable pathway for future cell-cultured food approvals,” Dr Cuthbert said.
FSANZ’s ongoing updates to the Food Standards Code, including the modernisation of definitions around genetically modified (GM) foods, further reflect its commitment to staying at the forefront of regulatory science.
“Recent changes to modernise the definitions for genetically modified foods in the Food Standards Code are another way we’re ensuring our regulatory framework keeps pace with change,” she added.
Global collaboration, regional impact
While FSANZ’s work directly supports the health and safety of Australian and New Zealand consumers, its influence reaches far beyond national borders. Under Dr Cuthbert’s leadership, FSANZ plays an active role in international food governance, contributing to major platforms such as Codex Alimentarius, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the International Heads of Food Agencies Forum (IHFAF).
A standout example of this global collaboration is FSANZ’s shared risk-assessment partnership with Health Canada. Under the model, a single scientific assessment can inform regulatory decisions in both countries, streamlining approvals while preserving each nation’s regulatory independence.
“Leveraging shared scientific expertise has reduced the regulatory workload and accelerated approvals,” Dr Cuthbert explained.
“For consumers, that means faster access to safe and innovative foods, and for businesses, it opens a more efficient pathway to multiple markets.”
As supply chains continue to globalise and consumer expectations rise, this kind of cross-border alignment is becoming essential.
Evaluating new ingredients: Science and communication
As more novel ingredients reach the market, FSANZ must evaluate not just safety and composition, but also how these changes impact diets and public understanding. Dr Cuthbert emphasises the importance of applying both scientific rigour and stakeholder engagement in these assessments.
“We’re also updating our application handbook to make sure the information we seek from applicants continues to evolve, supporting streamlined assessments and ensuring our regulation development remains fit for purpose,” she said.
These updates aim to provide clarity for food innovators while maintaining the high safety standards consumers expect.
Building trust through clear communication
Beyond regulatory assessments, FSANZ plays a crucial role in public communication, translating complex food science into clear, accessible messages.
“The hardest part is cutting through complexity without oversimplifying. Food science can be highly technical, yet consumers want clear, practical information,” Dr Cuthbert said.
FSANZ is investing in transparent, consistent communication strategies that clearly explain what is known, what is still being studied, and how regulatory decisions are made. This is especially important in areas such as food additives, novel processing methods and nutrition labelling.
“Trust comes from openness, consistency and listening to stakeholders, as much as it does from scientific rigour,” she added.
What’s next for FSANZ?
Looking ahead, Dr Cuthbert sees the next decade as one of rapid transformation. Technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, digital labelling, and precision fermentation are reshaping how food is produced, tracked, and consumed.
“We’re entering a new era where consumers want transparency, sustainability, and information at their fingertips,” she said.
“At the same time, regulators must be agile and future-focused, while never compromising on safety.”
As the global food system becomes more complex and interconnected, FSANZ is committed to ensuring Australia and New Zealand remain trusted, science-led leaders in food safety and innovation.
“What I’d like to stress is that safe, innovative food systems don’t just happen,” Dr Cuthbert said.
“They are built through science, technology, transparency, risk-proportionate regulation and, perhaps most importantly, collaboration between researchers, regulators, industry and consumers.”
“By working together, we can create a future with safer food, informed consumers and stronger, more resilient food economies.”
- Register here with the discount code FMCG for half-price tickets to the Ingredient Safety Symposium. Bring your questions, your curiosity, and your commitment to letting science lead the way. Let’s put the headlines under the microscope and see what stands up to scrutiny.
