Strengthening food safety Memorandum of Understanding signed to strengthen cooperation with Australia and New Zealand

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is an independent, statutory authority that forms part of the Australian Government’s Department of Health. Its focus is particularly on setting standards for safe food in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, FSANZ also coordinates food monitoring and the food recall system, and actively conducts research. It also supports the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in its inspection of imported food. FSANZ was represented by Christel Leemhuis, Director-General of Public Health. On behalf of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, its President, Andreas Hensel, signed the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI).

Bilateral discussions between the leadership of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and FSANZ on issues relating to possible further cooperation had already taken place during the 7th Annual Meeting of the International Heads of Food Agencies Forum in Auckland in April 2026.

More specific objectives have now been set out in the memorandum of understanding. The JDI focuses on cooperation and collaboration between the institutions, particularly in the domain of scientific research. The exchange of knowledge will further enhance the health and safety of consumers on both sides. In the long term, the scope for establishing working groups is also to be expanded. In future, this cooperation may also include joint workshops and training programmes, regular meetings, and scientific and technological collaboration based on mutual interests.