{"id":"F2015L00416","name":"Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 1.4.4 – Prohibited and restricted plants and fungi","slug":"f2015l00416","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":315774,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2015L00416-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-08","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 1.4.4 – Prohibited and restricted plants and fungi","content":"Standard 1.4.4 Prohibited and restricted plants and fungi\n\nNote 1 This instrument is a standard under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth). The standards together make up the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. See also section 1.1.1—3.\n\nNote 2 The provisions of the Code that apply in New Zealand are incorporated in, or adopted under, the Food Act 2014 (NZ). See also section 1.1.1—3.\n\nNote 3 Paragraphs 1.1.1—10(5)(a) and (6)(e) provide that a food for sale must not consist of, or have as an ingredient or a component, a prohibited or restricted plant or fungus, or coca bush, unless expressly permitted by this Code. This Standard contains the relevant permissions.\n\n1.4.4—1 Name\n\nThis Standard is Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 1.4.4 – Prohibited and restricted plants and fungi.\n\nNote Commencement: \nThis Standard commences on 1 March 2016, being the date specified as the commencement date in notices in the Gazette and the New Zealand Gazette under section 92 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth). See also section 93 of that Act.\n\n1.4.4—2 Definitions\n\nNote 1 In this Code (see sections 1.1.2—2 and 1.1.2—3):\n\nclaim means an express or implied statement, representation, design or information in relation to a food or a property of food which is not mandatory in this Code\n\ncoca bush means:\n\n(a) Eurythroxylum coca; or\n\n(b) a substance derived from Eurythroxylum coca.\n\nhealth claim means a claim which states, suggests or implies that a food or a property of food has, or may have, a health effect\n\nhealth effect means an effect on the human body, including an effect on one or more of the following:\n\n(a) a biochemical process or outcome;\n\n(b) a physiological process or outcome;\n\n(c) a functional process or outcome;\n\n(d) growth and development;\n\n(e) physical performance;\n\n(f) mental performance;\n\n(g) a disease, disorder or condition.\n\nlabel, in relation to a food being sold, means any tag, brand, mark or statement in writing or any representation or design or descriptive matter that:\n\n(a) is attached to the food or is a part of or attached to its packaging; or\n\n(b) accompanies and is provided to the purchaser with the food; or\n\n(c) is displayed in connection with the food when it is sold.\n\nprohibited plant or fungus means:\n\n(a) a plant or fungus listed in Schedule 23; or\n\n(b) a part or a derivative of such a plant or fungus; or\n\n(c) a substance derived from a plant, fungus, part or derivative referred to in paragraph (a) or (b).\n\nproperty of food means a component, ingredient, constituent or other feature of food.\n\nrestricted plant or fungus means:\n\n(a) a plant or fungus listed in Schedule 24; or\n\n(b) a part or a derivative of such a plant or fungus; or\n\n(c) a substance derived from a plant, fungus, part or derivative referred to in paragraph (a) or (b).\n\nNote 2 Section 1.1.2—9 (Definition of nutrition content claim) provides as follows:\n\n(1) In this Code:\n\nnutrition content claim means a claim that:\n\n(a) is about:\n\n (i) the presence or absence of any of the following:\n\n(A) a biologically active substance;\n\n(B) dietary fibre;\n\n(C) energy;\n\n(D) minerals;\n\n(E) potassium;\n\n(F) protein;\n\n(G) carbohydrate;\n\n(H) fat;\n\n(I) the components of any one of protein, carbohydrate or fat;\n\n(J) salt;\n\n(K) sodium;\n\n(L) vitamins; or\n\n(ii) glycaemic index or glycaemic load; and\n\n(b) does not refer to the presence or absence of alcohol; and\n\n(c) is not a health claim.\n\nNote See also subsections 1.1.2—9(2) to (4), 2.6.2—5(4) and 2.10.2—8(3).\n\nNote 3 Standard 1.2.7 prescribes requirements for making health claims and nutrition content claims.\n\n1.4.4—3 Exception to prohibition relating to restricted plants and fungi\n\nA restricted plant or fungus may be used as an ingredient in a food only if it complies with the requirements for natural toxicants in section 1.4.1—3 and subsection S19—6(1).\n\n1.4.4—4 Exception relating to coca bush\n\nCoca bush may be used as an ingredient in a food if the cocaine has been removed.\n\n1.4.4—5 Exception relating to raw apricot kernels\n\nRaw apricot kernels may be used as an ingredient in a food for sale if the kernels have been or will be subject to processing or a treatment that renders them safe for human consumption.\n\n| 1.4.4—6 Exception relating to Cannabis sativa seeds and seed products(1) Cannabis sativa seeds may be a food for sale or used as an ingredient in a food for sale if:(a) the seeds:(i) are seeds of low THC Cannabis sativa; and(ii) contain not more than 5 mg/kg of total THC; and(iii) if the food is for retail sale – are non-viable and hulled; and(b) the only cannabinoids in or on the seeds are naturally present.(2) Subject to subsection (3), all or any of the following seed products may be a food for sale or used as an ingredient in a food for sale:(a) oil extracted from seeds of low THC Cannabis sativa if the oil contains not more than 10 mg/kg of total THC;(b) a beverage derived from seeds of low THC Cannabis sativa if the beverage contains not more than 0.2 mg/kg of total THC;(c) any other product that is extracted or derived from seeds of low THC Cannabis sativa and contains not more than 5 mg/kg of total THC.(3) The only cannabinoids in the product must be those that were naturally present in or on the seeds from which the product was extracted or derived.(4) In subsection (2):seeds of low THC Cannabis sativa includes viable and unhulled seeds.(5) In this section:hulled seeds means seeds from which the outer coat or hull of seeds has been removed.low THC Cannabis sativa has the meaning given by subsection (6).non-viable seeds means seeds that are not able to germinate.seeds includes a part of a seed.total THC means the total amount of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and delta 9‑tetrahydrocannabinolic acid.(6) Cannabis sativa is low THC Cannabis sativa if the leaves and flowering heads of the Cannabis sativa do not contain more than 1% delta 9‑tetrahydrocannabinol.1.4.4—7 Restriction on claims and representations about foods that are or which contain hemp food products(1) This section applies to a food for sale that consists of, or has as an ingredient, a hemp food product.(2) The food for sale must not be labelled or otherwise presented for sale in a form which expressly or by implication suggests that the product has a psychoactive effect.(3) The label for the food for sale must not include:(a) a nutrition content claim about cannabidiol; or(b) a *health claim about cannabidiol; or(c) an image or representation of any part of the Cannabis sativa plant (including the leaf of that plant) other than the seed; or(d) the words ‘cannabis’, ‘marijuana’ or words of similar meaning.(4) The label for the food for sale may include the word ‘hemp’.(5) In this section:Hemp food product means Cannabis sativa seeds and/or a seed product that are permitted by section 1.4.4—6 to be a food for sale or used as an ingredient in a food for sale.Psychoactive effect means:(a) stimulation or depression of a person's central nervous system, resulting in hallucinations or in a significant disturbance in, or significant change to, motor function, thinking, behaviour, perception, awareness or mood; or(b) causing a state of dependence, including physical or psychological addiction.1.4.4—8 Level of cannabidiol in food for saleCannabidiol must not be present in any food for sale at a level greater than 75 mg/kg. |\n| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n \n\nAmendment History\n\nThe Amendment History provides information about each amendment to the Standard. The information includes commencement or cessation information for relevant amendments.\n\nThese amendments are made under section 92 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 unless otherwise indicated. Amendments do not have a specific date for cessation unless indicated as such.\n\nAbout this compilation\n\nThis is a compilation No. 2 of Standard 1.4.4 as in force on 12 November 2017 (up to Amendment No. 169). It includes any commenced amendment affecting the compilation to that date.\n\nPrepared by Food Standards Australia New Zealand on 12 November 2017.\n\nUncommenced amendments or provisions ceasing to have effect\n\nTo assist stakeholders, the effect of any uncommenced amendments or provisions which will cease to have effect, may be reflected in the Standard as shaded boxed text with the relevant commencement or cessation date. These amendments will be reflected in a compilation registered on the Federal Register of Legislation including or omitting those amendments and provided in the Amendment History once the date is passed.\n\nThe following abbreviations may be used in the table below:\n\nad = added or inserted am = amended\n\nexp = expired or ceased to have effect rep = repealed\n\nrs = repealed and substituted\n\nStandard 1.4.4 was published in the Food Standards Gazette No. FSC96 on 10 April 2015 as part of Amendment 154 (F2015L00416 –- 31 March 2015) and has since been amended as follows:\n\n```html\n

Section affected

A’ment No.

FRL registration

Gazette

Commencement

(Cessation)

How affected

Description of amendment

Note 1.4.4—2

169

F2017L0499

4 May 2017

FSC111

11 May 2017

12 Nov 2017

rs

Note replaced with Notes 1, 2 and 3

1.4.4—5

159

F2015L01913

2 Dec 2015

FSC101

7 Dec 2015

1 March 2016

ad

Section relating to raw apricot kernels.

1.4.4—6

169

F2017L0499

4 May 2017

FSC111

11 May 2017

12 Nov 2017

ad

Section relating to exception for Cannabis sativa seeds and seed products.

1.4.4—7

169

F2017L0499

4 May 2017

FSC111

11 May 2017

12 Nov 2017

ad

Section relating to restrictions on claims and representations about foods that are or which contain hemp food products.

1.4.4—8

169

F2017L0499

4 May 2017

FSC111

11 May 2017

12 Nov 2017

ad

Section relating to restrictions on claims and representations about foods that are or which contain hemp food products.

\n```","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Standard's scope has been altered since initial publication by amendments that add specific exceptions and constraints. Notable changes include: an exception for raw apricot kernels subject to safe processing (1.4.4—5); an exception for coca bush where cocaine is removed (1.4.4—4); detailed permissions and quantitative limits for Cannabis sativa seeds and seed products, plus labelling and cannabidiol limits (1.4.4—6 to 1.4.4—8). The Amendment History records these additions (Amendment History entries for sections 1.4.4—5 to 1.4.4—8)."},"complexity_factors":["Cross‑references to other Code provisions increase complexity: natural toxicant rules (1.4.1—3) and nutrition/health claim rules (1.1.2—9; Standard 1.2.7).","Multiple technical thresholds and definitions for Cannabis: total THC limits in seeds/products (1.4.4—6(1)(ii); (2)(a)–(c)); 1% delta‑9 THC definition for low‑THC plants (1.4.4—6(6)); cannabidiol ceiling (75 mg/kg) (1.4.4—8).","Product‑specific requirements create supply‑chain burdens: retail seeds must be non‑viable and hulled (1.4.4—6(1)(iii)); seed‑product limits differ by product type (1.4.4—6(2)).","Label and marketing restrictions are detailed and categorical (no implied psychoactive claims, no CBD nutrition or health claims, restricted imagery and wording) (1.4.4—7(2)–(4)).","Schedules referenced (Schedule 23 and 24) are determinative but not reproduced here, requiring users to consult additional material (definition of prohibited/restricted plant or fungus) (1.4.4—2).","Enforcement requires analytical testing (mg/kg, % delta‑9 THC) and provenance/processing verification (non‑viability, removal of cocaine), which raises implementation and laboratory‑capacity considerations (1.4.4—4; 1.4.4—6).","Amendment history shows staged changes and additions, increasing interpretive effort for which version applies to a transaction (Amendment History; compilation notes)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Standard sets which plants and fungi may or may not be used in foods sold in Australia and New Zealand, lists prohibited and restricted species (via Schedules 23 and 24), and creates narrow exceptions with processing, chemical‑level and labelling conditions (for example, decocainised coca, processed apricot kernels, and low‑THC Cannabis sativa seeds and seed products). It affects food producers, importers, packagers and regulators by imposing composition limits, testing/segregation requirements and specific labelling prohibitions that must be met before these items can be sold."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original standard appears to have been a straightforward prohibition list for toxic plants. However, the 2017 amendments (Amendment 169) significantly expanded the scope by adding a detailed regulatory framework for hemp foods (Cannabis sativa seeds and products). This transformed the standard from a simple 'banned list' into a complex permitting and labelling regime for a previously prohibited substance, including marketing restrictions and specific THC thresholds across multiple product categories."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to other standards (Schedules 23 and 24, sections 1.4.1—3, S19—6(1), 1.1.2—9, Standard 1.2.7)","Nested conditional logic in section 1.4.4—6 with multiple subsections, paragraphs, and sub-paragraphs for hemp seed permissions","Technical scientific definitions required (THC calculations, \"non-viable seeds,\" \"hulled seeds,\" \"low THC Cannabis sativa\")","Specific numerical thresholds that vary by product type (5 mg/kg for seeds, 10 mg/kg for oil, 0.2 mg/kg for beverages, 75 mg/kg for CBD)","Labelling prohibitions that mix explicit bans (specific words) with subjective standards (\"words of similar meaning,\" \"suggests psychoactive effect\")","Dual jurisdiction application (Australia and New Zealand with different enabling legislation)"],"plain_english_summary":"This law bans certain dangerous plants and fungi from food in Australia and New Zealand and allows others only under strict safety limits. It entirely prohibits listed items, permits some restricted ones if toxin limits are met, and makes specific exceptions (e.g., decocainized coca, processed apricot kernels). It tightly regulates hemp seeds/products (low-THC source, hulled/non-viable seeds, strict THC/CBD limits and labeling rules). The rules affect food manufacturers, importers, retailers and protect consumers by reducing poisoning and market confusion."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/f2015l00416","history":"/api/acts/f2015l00416/history","analysis":"/api/acts/f2015l00416/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/f2015l00416/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/f2015l00416/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/f2015l00416/documents"}}