G/SPS/N/AUS/353
18 December 2014 
(14-7335)  Page: 1/2
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English
 
  NOTIFICATION 
1. Notifying Member: AUSTRALIA 
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible: Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) 
3. Products covered (provide tariff item  number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; IC S numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable): Raw apricot kernels either unhulled (with skin) or hulled 
(without skin).  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected , to the extent relevant or practicable: 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:   
5. Title of the notified document: Proposal P1016 Hydrocyanic acid in Apricot Kernels & 
Other Foods  Language(s): English  Number of pages: 20 
http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/code/pr oposals/Pages/proposalp1016hydrocy5438.as
px 
6. Description of content: This Proposal seeks to amend the Australia New Zealand Food 
Standards Code for hydrocyanic acid in raw apricot kernels.  
In order to manage the potential risks of consumption of raw apricot kernels, FSANZ has 
prepared a draft food regulatory measure to pr ohibit the sale of raw apricot kernels both 
unhulled (with skin) and hulled (without skin). This prohibition would also apply to any 
substance derived from raw apricot kernels (ground, milled, cracked, chopped) with an exemption for apricots containing raw apricot kernels, alcoholic beverages, oil, 
flavourings, stone fruit juices, marzipan, cakes, biscuits and confectionery.  
Background: There has been a number of poisoning incidences in both Australia and New Zealand 
following consumption of raw apricot kernels that contained high levels of hydrocyanic 
acid (HCN). This poses an ongoing risk for Australian and New Zealand consumers that 
need to be managed to avoid future poisoning incidences.  
All proposals to change the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, must be 
assessed in the context of the following objectives: (a) the protection of public health 
and safety; (b) the provision of adequate information relating to food to enable consumers to make informed choices; and (c) the prevention of misleading or deceptive 
conduct. 
7. Objective and rationale: [X] food safety, [ ] animal health, [ ] plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [ ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.   G/SPS/N/AUS/353 
 
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  8. Is there a relevant international st andard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text)   
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number)    
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)    
[X] None 
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?   
[ ] Yes   [ ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   
9. Other relevant documents and language (s) in which these are available: 
Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (available in English). 
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : Anticipated May 2015. 
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : Anticipated June 2015. 
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [ ] Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) : Anticipated August 2015. 
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [ ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 20 February 2015 
Agency or authority designated to hand le comments: [ ] National Notification 
Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address 
(if available) of other body:  
Food Standards Australia New Zealand 
PO Box 7186 
Canberra BC ACT 2610 
Australia E-mail: standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au 
13. Text(s) available from: [ ] National Notifi cation Authority, [X] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:   
The Australian SPS Enquiry Point  
GPO Box 858 
Canberra  ACT  2601 Australia 
E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au