When launching the Australian User Guide for Mandatory Iodine Fortification, Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s CEO, Steve McCutcheon, said that the baking industry needs to be aware of the changes that become mandatory in October.
“Iodine is essential for good health and mild iodine deficiency has re-emerged in Australia over the last 10-15 years,” said McCutcheon. “FSANZ has developed a mandatory iodine fortification standard to help address this iodine deficiency in Australia and New Zealand.
“The new standard requires the replacement of non-iodised salt in all bread, where salt is added, with iodised salt with a range of 25-65mg of iodine per kilogram of salt. It also applies to the small amount of bread imported into Australia, usually as frozen dough. However, bread described as organic is exempt.
“This simple user guide explains exactly what bakers have to do to replace the current salt they use with iodised salt. This must be done in all products made from bread dough that contain yeast and salt.
“The user guide also details what labelling changes may be needed. For example, if the bread is packaged and not made on the premises where it is sold, then iodised salt must be listed in the ingredients list. Mandatory iodine fortification comes into force just after the folic acid mandatory fortification of bread to make it easier for bakers and bread manufacturers to make any labelling changes in one go. A user guide for folic acid mandatory fortification of bread making flour is also available.
Source: FSANZ
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