Epharmacy Group Pty Limited (Epharmacy), the owner of the websites for Chemist Warehouse, My Chemist, and Epharmacy, has paid penalties totalling $32,400 following the issue of three infringement notices by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. By falsely stating an excessive retail price, consumers were led to believe that they were saving money when in fact they were not. “Businesses using statements such as 'savings' or 'discounts' when comparing a sale price to the RRP of goods and services suggest to potential customers that they are getting a good deal because the sale price is less than the RRP.  But if the product has never been previously sold at the RRP, or the RRP does not reflect a current market price, then this type of comparison misrepresents the savings that may be achieved. The ACCC has taken this enforcement action to send a strong message to retailers that they must ensure they can substantiate any claimed savings off recommended retail prices” ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court said. Source:http://tinyurl.com/gpxhf79

Arnott’s Biscuits Ltd (Arnotts) has paid penalties totalling $51,000 following the issue of five infringement notices by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission relating to representations made by Arnotts about its Shapes Light & Crispy product.  Arnotts also provided a court enforceable undertaking to the ACCC.  Sources:http://tinyurl.com/phojhtm , &, Ester Han @ SMH.com http://tinyurl.com/q4h2efb

The New Zealand Ministry of Health is developing a new regulatory scheme for low-risk natural health products, and is interested in public feedback on the proposals outlined in the consultation document and the related draft papers. Consultation closes 5pm Friday 5 February 2016.  Source: http://tinyurl.com/oxclolj

The Communiqué of outcomes from the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation meeting held on 20 November 2015 in Canberra, reports on Health Star Ratings System, Low THC Hemp as a Food, Non-Pasteurised Milk, Food Fortification with Nutrients, and other relevant topics.  Source: http://tinyurl.com/p4ecguk

The Review of Medicines and Medical Devices: Stage Two Report examines the regulation of complementary medicines and the advertising framework for therapeutic goods.  Source:http://tinyurl.com/pfg3cyz

The review of the Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance (the rebate) for natural therapies (the review), examined the evidence of clinical efficacy, cost effectiveness, safety and quality of natural therapies in scope of the Review.  Source:http://tinyurl.com/pqx2lsj

While extended timelines continue to be experienced, TGA has made significant improvements in processing times for MRA GMP Clearance applications. As of 6 November 2015, they have maintained the 6 week average processing time taken to complete an MRA GMP clearance application. However, further analysis reveals that the time taken to complete 90% of MRA GMP clearance applications has increased from 11 weeks (as at 14 August 2015) to 19 weeks.  Source: http://tinyurl.com/pxn28s8

Counterfeit medicines or medical devices are imitation goods which are packaged to look like genuine items. Products are considered counterfeit if they are falsely manufactured, packaged or advertised. Using counterfeit medicines or medical devices carries a high risk of unexpected or potentially serious reactions.  Source: http://tinyurl.com/qdh7ges

The role of the 'Notification of a new proprietary ingredient' form is to allow the Therapeutic Goods Administration to enter formulation details and other relevant information relating to a proprietary ingredient into the Proprietary Ingredient database in the TGA Business Services. This allows the supplier of the proprietary ingredient to keep their formulation details confidential. When the proprietary ingredient is included in applications for new therapeutic goods that are to be registered, listed or included on the ARTG, the allocated Proprietary Ingredient Number (rather than the full formulation details of the proprietary ingredient) can be entered in the application. Only limited information identifying the proprietary ingredient is available for public view.  Source:http://tinyurl.com/pphf5mc

This Therapeutic Goods Administration presentation was on 15th September 2015 and given by Jenny Burnett, (Scientific Operations Management, Scientific Evaluation Branch) at the ARCS Regulatory Affairs Interest Meeting. Presentation summary: This is an overview of Therapeutic Goods Orders versus pharmacopoeias and how these are incorporated into the Australian legislation.  Source: http://tinyurl.com/nd3894t

The abandonment of the one-child policy in China is expected to grow sales of infant formula by 10-15%, with 1.5-2 million more babies likely to be born each year in the country.  Source: Oliver Haenlein, FoodNavigator-Asia  http://tinyurl.com/psyzbzk

The NSW Food Authority advises that Soulfresh Group Pty Ltd has recalled Nutty Bruce Organic Coconut Milk 1L (and SBC Foods Pty Ltd and Majestic Imports & Export Pty Ltd) sold at independent retailers and cafes nationally, due to the presence of an undeclared allergen (dairy).  Source: http://tinyurl.com/nzo4dqd & http://tinyurl.com/okosr5p

Editor’s note: These are some of many coconut drink products recently recalled after detection of undeclared dairy ingredient, following the death of a 10-year-old child attributed to an allergic reaction after drinking a "natural" coconut drink – see RFA Newsletter October 2015 http://www.robert-forbes.com/news-centre. For a complete list of food recalls go to:http://tinyurl.com/lqyt6ob

Food Standards Australia & New Zealand is calling for submissions relating to this application. The purpose of this Application is to seek approval for food derived from a genetically modified insect-protected soybean line MON87511.  Source:http://tinyurl.com/ol7yaq8

Food Standards Australia & New Zealand is calling for submissions relating to this application. The purpose of the Application is to include rebaudioside M in the list of permitted steviol glycoside products used as intense sweeteners.  Source:http://tinyurl.com/p7dvmos

Food Standards Australia & New Zealand is calling for submissions relating to this proposal. The purpose of the Proposal is to consider varying certain maximum residue limits for residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals that may occur in food.  Source:http://tinyurl.com/omoxrg8    (For background information regarding chemicals in foods and their maximum residue limits, you can find out more here: http://tinyurl.com/qf76vhj) 

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