Alerts

The Department is making changes to the standard import permit for retorted, shelf stable, commercially sterile food products containing animal ingredients for human consumption.

The changes will mean that the following commodities are no longer permitted entry using the standard permit:

• Birds nest
• Table eggs
• Goods that are imported in temperature-controlled containers below 10°C.

These goods can still be imported, but only after a full assessment of the product has been undertaken and a non-standard permit specific to the product has been issued.

Existing standard permits will not be varied to the new conditions but will remain valid until they expire. Standard permits that are issued between the 13th of January 2021 and March 2021 will be set to expire on the 13th of January 2023.

It is anticipated that permits with the new conditions will be issued from March 2021.

Who does this notice affect:
Importers of retorted, shelf stable, commercially sterile products containing animal based ingredients.

Background:
The changes are required to address compliance issues with these products. During 2019/20 the department conducted verification activities on the retort pathway. This verification work uncovered goods that were not compliant with the import conditions. This included a range of products that were not properly retorted and shelf stable.

Retort conditions allow safe trade in products from countries that are affected by animal diseases that are exotic to Australia (e.g. Highly pathogenic avian influenza and Newcastle disease). The introduction of these diseases would have serious consequences for the Australian economy and environment. For this reason it is important that these products are properly retorted in accordance with the import conditions.

Further information:
Please contact the Commodity Assurance and Seafood Imports Program on 1800 900 090 or email imports@agriculture.gov.au.