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Commonwealth legislation
**What this instrument does (mechanically)
This Schedule (Schedule 18) to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code lists which substances may be used as "processing aids" in food manufacture, and the conditions or maximum residue levels that apply when they are used. It works by cross‑referencing to the Code’s operative clauses (notably Standard 1.3.3 and 1.1.1) and giving detailed tables of allowed chemicals, enzymes, solvents, filtration media, antimicrobials, water treatment agents and similar materials. (See S18—2 to S18—11.)
Where the table shows "GMP" the substance is permitted where used in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (i.e. used at the lowest level needed to achieve the technological purpose and under appropriate controls). Numeric entries are maximum permitted residual amounts (mg/kg) or other specified measurement limits. (See S18—3, S18—6, S18—7, S18—8, S18—9, S18—10, S18—11.)
The Schedule separately identifies permitted enzymes by origin (animal, plant, microbial) and, for many microbial or recombinant enzymes, the specific source organism or engineered strain that is permitted. (See S18—4(3)–(5).)
The Schedule also contains narrow permissions with use conditions: for example, maximum addition levels for dimethyl dicarbonate as a microbial control agent in juices and some beverages (S18—10), and a conditional permission for cetylpyridinium chloride to be used as an antimicrobial wash on raw poultry with rinsing and concentration limits (S18—11).
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Direct links to the current provisions in Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Schedule 18 – Processing aids.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.
Schedule 18 Processing aids
Note 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.
Substances used as processing aids are regulated by Standard 1.1.1 and Standard 1.3.3. This standard lists substances that may be used as processing aids for paragraph 1.1.2—13(3)(a) and contains permissions to use substances as processing aids for Standard 1.3.3.
Note 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.
S18—1 Name
This Standard is Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Schedule 18 – Processing aids.
Note Commencement:
This 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.
S18—2 Generally permitted processing aids—substances for section 1.3.3—4
(1) For paragraph 1.3.3—4(2)(b), the substances are:
Generally permitted processing aids
| activated carbon |
|---|
| ammonia |
| ammonium hydroxide |
| argon |
| bone phosphate |
| carbon monoxide |
| diatomaceous earth |
| ethoxylated fatty alcohols |
| ethyl alcohol |
| fatty acid polyalkylene glycol ester |
| furcellaran |
| hydrogenated glucose syrups |
| isopropyl alcohol |
| magnesium hydroxide |
| oleic acid |
| oleyl oleate |
| oxygen |
| perlite |
| phospholipids |
| phosphoric acid |
| polyethylene glycols |
| polyglycerol esters of fatty acids |
| polyglycerol esters of interesterified ricinoleic acid |
**Who is affected
Food manufacturers and processors who use processing aids (including dairies, bakeries, breweries, starch and syrup producers, wine and fruit processors, meat processors, edible casing and gelatin manufacturers, and ingredient suppliers). (Tables throughout S18—3 to S18—9.)
Suppliers of enzymes, solvents, filtration media, water treatment chemicals, antimicrobials and other technical inputs: they must supply products and documentation that meet the listed specifications and permitted uses.
Regulatory agencies and food inspectors responsible for enforcement of the Code (they interpret the tables, test residues and check conditions of use).
Consumers are indirectly affected because the Schedule determines which processing chemicals may be used and at what residual levels are acceptable in food.
**Why it matters (claimed purpose, and practical implications)
Stated purpose: to control the safety and technological use of substances that assist food processing but are not intended to remain as functional ingredients (see S18 preface and cross‑references to Standard 1.3.3). The Schedule sets permitted lists and limits so that processors can achieve technological outcomes (e.g. clarification, decolourising, enzyme‑catalysed reactions, antimicrobial control) while managing safety through residue limits and use conditions.
Practical effects and trade‑offs:
**How it affects decisions and behaviour
Who decides: FSANZ (and ultimately food regulators acting under the Code) decides which substances are listed and under what terms; business operators decide whether to adopt them in production and must comply with the listed conditions (see S18—1 and cross references).
What changes for business: manufacturers may change formulations, adopt enzyme or chemical aids to improve yield or reduce costs, or substitute permitted alternatives where the Schedule allows broader options (e.g. many filtration resins and ion‑exchange media in S18—3 and S18—6). They must also implement verification and testing protocols to demonstrate compliance with numerical limits and GMP obligations.
**Operational notes and common terms
**Selected section pointers (examples)
(References are to the Schedule’s section headings: S18—2 through S18—11.)
| polyoxyethylene 40 stearate |
| potassium hydroxide |
| propylene glycol alginate |
| silica or silicates |
| sodium hydroxide |
| sodium lauryl sulphate |
| sulphuric acid |
| tannic acid |
(2) In this section:
silica or silicates includes:
(a) sodium calcium polyphosphate silicate; and
(b) sodium hexafluorosilicate; and
(c) sodium metasilicate; and
(d) sodium silicate; and
(e) silica; and
(f) modified silica;
that complies with a specification in section S3—2 or S3—3.
Note Silicates that are additives permitted at GMP (see section S16—2) may also be used as processing aids, in accordance with paragraph 1.3.3—4(2)(a).
S18—3 Permitted processing aids for certain purposes
For section 1.3.3—5, the substances, foods and maximum permitted levels are:
Permitted processing aids for certain purposes (section 1.3.3—5)
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:453.6pt; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblh3"><span>Substance</span></p></td><td style="width:122.45pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblh3"><span>Maximum permitted level (mg/kg)</span></p></td><td style="border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; vertical-align:top"></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td colspan="3" style="width:442.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblh4"><span>Technological purpose—Antifoam agent</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Butanol</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>10</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Oxystearin</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Polydimethylsiloxane</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>10</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Polyethylene glycol dioleate</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Polyethylene/ polypropylene glycol copolymers</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Soap</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Sorbitan monolaurate</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>1</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Sorbitan monooleate</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>1</span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="width:442.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblh4"><span>Technological purpose—Catalyst</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Chromium (excluding chromium VI)</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>0.1</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Copper</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>0.1</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Molybdenum</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>0.1</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Nickel</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>1.0</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Peracetic acid</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>0.7</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Potassium ethoxide</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>1.0</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Potassium (metal)</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Sodium (metal)</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Sodium ethoxide</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>1.0</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Sodium methoxide</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>1.0</span></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="width:442.8pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblh4"><span>Technological purpose—decolourants, clarifying, filtration and adsorbent agents</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Acid clays of montmorillonite</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Chloromethylated aminated styrene</span><span>‑</span><span>divinylbenzene resin</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Co-extruded polystyrene and polyvinyl polypyrrolidone</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Copper sulphate</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Dimethylamine-epichlorohydrin copolymer</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>150</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Dimethyldialkylammonium chloride</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Divinylbenzene copolymer</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>High density polyethylene co</span><span>‑</span><span>extruded with kaolin</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Iron oxide</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Fish collagen, including isinglass</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Magnesium oxide</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Modified polyacrylamide resins</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Nylon</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Phytates (including phytic acid, magnesium phytate & calcium phytate)</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.75pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>Polyester resins, cross-linked</span></p></td><td colspan="2" style="width:123.25pt; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="FSCtblMain"><span>GMP</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:308.7
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