Date of publication: 2 April 2026
Attention
Importers of Moringa oleifera (also known as drumstick tree leaves), and brokers acting on behalf of these importers.
Purpose
To advise that Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has rejected an application to permit Moringa oleifera as a novel food. This decision means:
- Moringa oleifera is not permitted as food or as a food ingredient, for retail sale.
- Imports referred to the Imported Food Inspection Scheme will be failed at the border.
Key points
- FSANZ assessed the safety of Moringa oleifera immature (green) seed pods and seed oil as a novel food.
- A novel food must be assessed and approved by FSANZ before it is permitted to be sold as a food or a food ingredient in Australia and New Zealand.
- FSANZ’s assessment identified a potential safety concern and concluded there was not enough reliable data to complete the safety assessment.
- Incomplete or inconclusive safety data means the risk cannot be adequately assessed and the safety of Moringa oleifera as a food cannot be confirmed.
- The decision by FSANZ reinforces that robust, high-quality scientific evidence is required when seeking approval for novel foods.
- Further information about the FSANZ assessment is available in the A1294 Rejection Report available at Application A1294 - Moringa oleifera as a novel food | Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
- The decision by FSANZ changes the way we regulate Moringa oleifera under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme.
- If a novel food is not listed in Schedule 25 – section 2 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, imports will be failed. Importers will be directed to destroy or export the food at their own expense.
Further instructions
- Check our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) for the biosecurity import conditions for Drumstick tree leaves (Moringa oleifera).
- All biosecurity import conditions must be met before imported food safety requirements apply.
- Find out more about Novel food (non-traditional food).
- Learn more about the requirements to import food into Australia and the rates of inspection under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme.
- Find out more about lodging declarations and documentation for imported food.
Background
- Novel food is food that does not have a history of use in Australia. It requires assessment by FSANZ to establish its safety before being sold as a food or as an ingredient in a food.
- In Australia and New Zealand, novel food and novel food ingredients are regulated under Standards 1.1.1 and 1.5.1 in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code).
- Approved novel foods are listed in Schedule 25 – section 2 of the Code.
- Novel food requires an application to FSANZ to amend the Code.
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