FSANZ Receives Application on Additive to Change the Color of Abalone

19 May 2014 --- Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions on an application to permit a food additive used to change the colour of abalone.

FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said the application, from Seafood New Zealand Limited, was seeking approval for the additive sodium hydrosulphite.

“The applicant wants to use the additive to change the black colour of New Zealand abalone (paua) to a colour that’s more acceptable to consumers,” Mr McCutcheon said.

“The FSANZ safety assessment concluded that the food additive is technologically justified and the treated abalone is safe for human consumption.

“FSANZ welcomes comments from government agencies, public health professionals, industry and the community on this application.”

The closing date for submissions for this application is 27 June 2014.