Review of the kava standard by Food Standards Australia New Zealand

UPDATE – 2 MAY 2023

Following this consultation, New Zealand has not adopted amendments to the kava standard in the joint Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code into New Zealand law. The kava standard that existed before March 2022 will remain in effect in New Zealand.

Find out more about the outcome of the review

Background to this consultation

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) undertook public consultation as part of a review of the amendments to the kava standard in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). This consultation was your opportunity to provide feedback on the amendments.

In March 2022, the FSANZ Board agreed on amendments to the Code as part of urgent Proposal P1057 to:

ensure kava beverage is prepared and consumed in line with historically-safe practices
clarify the current prohibition on the use of processing aids and food additives in the manufacture or processing of dried or raw kava root and kava beverages, and
require that kava is sourced from Noble varieties of the kava plant, which have a history of safe use.

Reasons for the review

P1057 was an urgent proposal to amend the kava standard in the Code following the commencement of commercial importation of kava into Australia. The purpose of the proposal was to review the Code – including the existing Standard 2.6.3 – to ensure it continues to protect public health and safety.

The FSANZ Board agreed to the amendments in March 2022.

These amendments took immediate effect in Australia but were not adopted into New Zealand law. This was to allow further time to assess their implications for New Zealand.