Date of publication: 2 April 2026
Updated: 27 May 2026
Attention
Importers of Moringa oleifera (also known as drumstick tree, horseradish tree, and malunggay), and brokers acting on behalf of these importers.
Purpose
To inform industry that FSANZ has rejected an application to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to permit certain foods derived from Moringa oleifera plant to be sold as food for retail sale or be ingredients or components in food for retail sale.
Key points
- FSANZ assessed an application to amend the Code to identify Moringa oleifera leaves (fresh and dried), immature (green) pods and oil (from the seed) as a novel food permitted to be sold as food for retail sale or be an ingredient or component of a food for retail sale. FSANZ was unable to establish that Moringa oleifera would not pose a safety concern if permitted for sale and decided to reject the application.
- Accordingly, FSANZ determined not to amend the Code to expressly permit Moringa oleifera as a novel food that can be sold as food for retail sale or be an ingredient or component of a food for retail sale under the Code.
- 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 and on the FSANZ webpage Moringa oleifera as a novel food.
- Unless expressly permitted by the Code, a novel food cannot be food for retail sale or an ingredient in a food for retail sale in Australia.
- Imports of food covered by the Imported Food Control Act 1992 (the Act), including food imported for retail sale or an ingredient or component of a food for retail sale, may be referred to the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS) for inspection, and if referred will be assessed in accordance with the Act and relevant subordinate legislation.
- Food which is inspected under the IFIS may be identified as failing food. Failing food includes examinable food that is found to not meet the Code, or food that is found to pose a risk to human health. Failing food may be directed for destruction or re-export.
- Importing food that does not meet the applicable standards (including the requirements of the Food Standards Code) may constitute an offence under s 8 of the Imported Food Control Act 1992.
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.
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