Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Schedule 19 – Maximum levels of contaminants and natural toxicants

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Schedule 19 Maximum levels of contaminants and natural tox…
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 For mean levels of mercury in fish, crustacea and molluscs, see section S19—7.

Schedule 19 Maximum levels of contaminants and natural toxicantsNote 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.Maximum levels of contaminants and natural toxicants are regulated by subsection 1.1.1—10(6) and Standard 1.4.1. This Standard lists contaminants and natural toxicants for food for subsection 1.4.1—3(1), and sets out the requirements for and method of calculating the level of mercury in fish for subsection 1.4.1—3(2).

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.#

S19—1 NameThis Standard is Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Schedule 19 – Maximum levels of contaminants and natural toxicants.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.S19—2 DefinitionsIn this Schedule:arsenic is taken to be a metal.ergot means the sclerotium or dormant winter form of the fungus Claviceps purpurea.honey includes comb honey.hydrocyanic acid, total means all hydrocyanic acid including hydrocyanic acid evolved from cyanogenic glycosides and cyanohydrins during or following enzyme hydrolysis or acid hydrolysis.MU means the unit of measurement for neurotoxic shellfish poisons described in Recommended procedures for examination of seawater and shellfish, Irwin N. (ed) fourth edition, American Public Health Association Inc.ready-to-eat cassava chips means the product made from sweet cassava that is represented as ready for immediate consumption with no further preparation required, and includes crisps, crackers and ‘vege’ crackers.Note In this Code (see section 1.1.2—3):honey means the natural sweet substance produced by honey bees from the nectar of blossoms or from secretions of living parts of plants or excretions of plant sucking insects on the living parts of plants, which honey bees collect, transform and combine with specific substances of their own, store and leave in the honey comb to ripen and mature.S19—3 Calculating levels of contaminants and toxicants(1) In this Schedule:(a) a reference to a metal is taken to include a reference to each chemical species of that metal; and(b) for a food for which only a portion is ordinarily consumed—a reference to the food is taken to be a reference to that portion; and(c) in the case of seaweed—calculations are to be based on seaweed at 85% hydration; and(d) subject to subsection S19—7(3), if food other than seaweed is dried, dehydrated or concentrated—calculations are to be based on the food or its ingredients prior to drying, dehydration or concentration.(2) For paragraph (1)(d), calculations must be based on 1 or more of:(a) the manufacturer’s analysis of the food; or(b) the actual amount or *average quantity of water in the ingredients of the food; or(c) generally accepted data.S19—4 Maximum levels of metal contaminants

Note For mean levels of mercury in fish, crustacea and molluscs, see section S19—7.#

For each metal contaminant listed below, the maximum level (in mg/kg) for a particular food is listed in relation to that food:Maximum levels of metal contaminantsContaminant | Food | Maximum levelAluminium | Infant formula, follow-on formula and special medical purpose product for infants (other than special medical purpose product for infants formulated for pre-term infants) | 0.5Soy-based infant formula products | 1Special medical purpose product for infants formulated for pre-term infants | 0.2Arsenic (total) | Cereal grains and milled cereal products (as specified in Schedule 22 - except sweet corns) | 1Salt | 0.5Arsenic (inorganic) | Crustacea | 2Fish | 2Molluscs | 1Seaweed | 1Cadmium | Amaranth, grain | 0.1Chinese cabbage (Pe-tsai) | 0.1Chocolate and cocoa products | 0.5Kidney of cattle, sheep and pig | 2.5Leafy vegetables (as specified in Schedule 22) | 0.1Liver of cattle, sheep and pig | 1.25Meat of cattle, sheep and pig (excluding offal) | 0.05Molluscs (excluding blacklip rock oysters (Saccostrea spathulata) farmed in the Northern Territory; dredge/bluff oysters; and queen scallops) | 2Peanuts | 0.5Rice | 0.1Root and tuber vegetables (as specified in Schedule 22) | 0.1Salt | 0.5Wheat | 0.1Lead | Brassicas | 0.3Cereals (except sweet corns), pulses and legumes | 0.2Edible offal of cattle, sheep, pig and poultry | 0.5Fish | 0.5Fruit | 0.1Infant formula products | 0.01Meat of cattle, sheep, pig and poultry (excluding offal) | 0.1Molluscs | 2Salt | 2Sweet corns | 0.1Vegetables (except brassicas) | 0.1Mercury | Fish, crustacea and molluscs | See S19—7Salt | 0.1Tin | All canned foods | 250S19—5 Maximum levels of non-metal contaminantsFor each non-metal contaminant listed below, the maximum level (in mg/kg unless specified otherwise) for a particular food is listed in relation to that food:Maximum levels of non-metal contaminantsContaminant | Food | Maximum levelAcrylonitrile | All food | 0.02Aflatoxin | Peanuts | 0.015Tree nuts (as specified in Schedule 22) | 0.015Amnesic shellfish poisons (Domoic acid equivalent) | Bivalve molluscs | 203-chloro-1,2-propanediol | Soy sauce and oyster sauce | 0.2 calculated on a 40% dry matter contentDiarrhetic shellfish poisons (Okadaic acid equivalent) | Bivalve molluscs | 0.161,3-dichloro-2-propanol | Soy sauce and oyster sauce | 0.005 calculated on a 40% dry matter contentErgot | Cereal grains | 500Methanol | Red wine, white wine and fortified wine | 3 g methanol / L of ethanolWhisky, rum, gin and vodka | 0.4 g methanol / L of ethanolOther spirits, fruit wine, vegetable wine and mead | 8 g methanol / L of ethanolNeurotoxic shellfish poisons | Bivalve molluscs | 200 MU/kgParalytic shellfish poisons (Saxitoxin dihydrochloride equivalent) | Bivalve molluscs | 0.8Phomopsins | Lupin seeds and the products of lupin seeds | 0.005Polychlorinated biphenyls, total | Mammalian fat | 0.2Poultry fat | 0.2Milk and milk products | 0.2Eggs | 0.2Fish | 0.5Vinyl chloride | All food except packaged water | 0.01S19—6 Maximum levels of natural toxicants(1) For each natural toxicant listed below, the maximum level (in mg/kg) for a particular food is listed in relation to that food:Maximum levels of natural toxicantsNatural toxicant | Food | Maximum levelAgaric acid | Food containing mushrooms | 100Alcoholic beverages | 100Aloin | Alcoholic beverages | 50Berberine | Alcoholic beverages | 10Coumarin | Alcoholic beverages | 10Hypericine | Alcoholic beverages | 2Lupin alkaloids | Lupin flour, lupin kernel flour, lupin kernel meal and lupin hulls | 200Pulegone | Confectionery | 350Beverages | 250Quassine | Alcoholic beverages | 50Quinine | Mixed alcoholic drinks not elsewhere classified | 300Tonic drinks, bitter drinks and quinine drinks | 100Wine based drinks and reduced alcohol wines | 300Safrole | Food containing mace and nutmeg | 15Meat products | 10Alcoholic beverages | 5Santonin | Alcoholic beverages | 1Sparteine | Alcoholic beverages | 5Thujones (alpha and beta) | Sage stuffing | 250Bitters | 35Sage flavoured foods | 25Alcoholic beverages | 10(2) For each natural toxicant listed below, the maximum level (in mg/kg) for a particular food is listed in relation to that food:Maximum levels of natural toxicantsNatural toxicant | Food | Maximum levelErucic acid | Edible oils | 20 000Histamine | Fish and fish products | 200Hydrocyanic acid, total | Confectionery | 25Stone fruit juices | 5Marzipan | 50Ready-to-eat cassava chips | 10Alcoholic beverages | 1 mg per 1% alcohol contentTutin | Honey | 0.7Note The New Zealand Food (Tutin in Honey) Standard 2010 also regulates beekeepers, packers and exporters of honey in New Zealand. It provides options for demonstrating compliance with the maximum level for tutin in honey set by section 1.4.1—3.S19—7 Mean and maximum levels of mercury in fish, crustacea and molluscs(1) For subsection 1.4.1—3(2), the following table applies:For: | if: | the mean level of mercury in sample units must be no greater than: | the maximum level of mercury in any sample unit must be no greater than:gemfish, billfish (including marlin), southern bluefin tuna, barramundi, ling, orange roughy, rays and all species of shark;(a) both of the following are satisfied:(i) 10 or more sample units are available;(ii) the concentration of mercury in any sample unit is greater than 1.0 mg/kg:1.0 mg/kg1.5 mg/kg(b) 5 sample units are available: | 1.0 mg/kg | (no level set)(c) there are insufficient samples to analyse in accordance with subsection S19—7(2): | 1.0 mg/kgother fish, fish products, crustacea and molluscs;(a) both of the following are satisfied:(i) 10 or more sample units are available;(ii) the concentration of mercury in any sample unit is greater than 1.0 mg/kg:0.5 mg/kg1.5 mg/kg(b) 5 sample units are available: | 0.5 mg/kg | (no level set)(c) there are insufficient samples to analyse in accordance with subsection S19—7(2): | 1.0 mg/kg(2) For the table in subsection (1), calculations must be done on the basis of the following number of sample units:(a) for fish other than crustacea or molluscs:(i) for a *lot of not more than 5 tonnes—10;(ii) for a lot of more than 5 but not more than 10 tonnes—15;(iii) for a lot of more than 10 but not more than 30 tonnes—20;(iv) for a lot of more than 30 but not more than 100 tonnes—25;(v) for a lot of more than 100 but not more than 200 tonnes—30;(vi) for a lot of more than 200 tonnes—40;(b) for crustacea and molluscs:(i) for a lot of not more than 1 tonne—10;(ii) for a lot of more than 1 but not more than 5 tonnes—15;(iii) for a lot of more than 5 but not more than 30 tonnes—20;(iv) for a lot of more than 30 but not more than 100 tonnes—25;(v) for a lot of more than 100 tonnes—30;(c) if the number of sampling units specified in paragraph (a) or (b) is not available—5.(3) In this section, the mercury content of dried or partially dried fish must be calculated on an 80% moisture basis.Definition of sample unit(4) In this section:sample unit means a sample:(a) that has been randomly selected from the *lot being analysed; and(b) that has been taken from the edible portion of a fish, mollusc or crustacean, whether packaged or otherwise; and(c) that is sufficient for the purposes of analysis.(5) Each sample unit must be taken from a separate fish, mollusc, crustacean or package of fish product.____________________Application, saving and transitional provisionsThe table below details information on application, saving or transitional provisions in instruments affecting this Standard.Instrument items affectedA’ment No.FRLI registrationGazetteInstrument’s transitional provisionDescription of transitional arrangementFood Standards (Proposal P1028 – Infant Formula Products – Consequential Amendments) VariationItems [22] and [23] of Schedule 2231F2024L0115113 Sept 2024FSC 17113 Sept 2024Clause 4Clause 4 establishes a transitional arrangement for variations to the Code made by Items [22] and [23] of Schedule 3 and by the Food Standards (Proposal P1028 – Infant Formula Products – Consequential Amendments) Variation.The transition period is the period of time that commences on 13 September 2024 and ends on 13 September 2029.Subclause 4(1) provides that section 1.1.1—9 of the Code does not apply to the variations.Subclause 4(2) provides that during the transition period a food product may be sold if the product complies with one of the following:(a) the Code as in force without the above variations;(b) the Code as amended by the above variations.Amendment HistoryThe Amendment History provides information about each amendment to the Schedule. 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 compilationThis is compilation No. 7 of Schedule 19 as in force on 1 September 2026 (up to Amendment No. 252). It includes any commenced amendment affecting the compilation to that date.Prepared by Food Standards Australia New Zealand on 1 September 2026.Uncommenced amendments or provisions ceasing to have effectTo assist stakeholders, the effect of any uncommenced amendments or provisions which will cease to have effect, may be reflected in the Schedule 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 exp = expired or ceased to have effectam = amended rep = repealedSchedule 19 was published in the Food Standards Gazette No. FSC96 on 10 April 2015 as part of Amendment 154 (F2015L00454 –- 1 April 2015) and has since been amended as follows:Section affectedA’ment No.FRL registrationGazetteCommencement(Cessation)How affectedDescription of amendmentS19—2157F2015L013741 Sept 2015FSC993 Sept 20151 March 2016adDefinition of ‘honey’ and related Note previously included in the Code as part of P1029.table to S19—6(2)157F2015L013741 Sept 2015FSC993 Sept 20151 March 2016adEntry for tutin and related Note previously included in the Code as part of P1029.S19—7(2)168F2017L0041411 April 2017FSC11013 April 201713 April 2017amCorrection of typographical error.S19—7(2)(c)200F2021L006842 June 2021FSC1413 June 20213 June 2021amCorrection of typographical error.S19—4211F2022L0111826 Aug 2022FSC1511 Sept 20221 September 2022amEntry for CadmiumS19—4211F2022L0111826 Aug 2022FSC1511 Sept 20221 September 2022amEntry for LeadS19—5225F2024L0008018 January 2024FSC16519 January 202419 January 2024rsRepeal and substitute table items, Diarrhetic shellfish poisons - maximum level and paralytic shellfish poison – contaminant.S19—4231F2024L0115113 Sept 2024FSC17113 Sept 202413 September 2024adInsert entry for aluminium into S19—4 table.S19—4231F2024L0115113 Sept 2024FSC17113 Sept 202413 September 2024rsRepeal the maximum level of lead in infant formula products (0.01) and substitute 0.02S19—4252F2026L0112528 August 2026FSC 1921 Sep 20261 September 2026amRepeal and substitute cadmium entry for molluscs

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at legislation.gov.au, © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Compilations may have been reformatted.

Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Schedule 19 – Maximum levels of contaminants and natural toxicants

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 For mean levels of mercury in fish, crustacea and molluscs, see section S19—7.#

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History · 1 version

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 For mean levels of mercury in fish, crustacea and molluscs, see section S19—7.#