Category: Australian agriculture

An estimated 40% of Australia's cattle are treated with hormonal growth promotants (HGPs), a common practice used to increase weight gain and improve production efficiency. This raises valid questions for consumers: does Australian beef have hormones, and what does this mean for food safety?

According to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), no fresh genetically modified fruits or vegetables are available for sale in Australia. This confirms that the apples you purchase from Australian supermarkets and grocers are not genetically modified.

In 2023, the Australian government's National Residue Survey reported an impressive 99.98% compliance rate for beef samples, indicating extremely low levels of residue. This high standard of food safety is often mistaken to mean that all Australian beef is antibiotic free, but the reality involves a more nuanced system of strict regulation and responsible use.

While often ranked among the most food-secure nations globally, Australia faces multiple and growing threats to its food system. A confluence of factors, from environmental challenges to socioeconomic issues, defines Australia's greatest risks to food security and could impact both the availability and affordability of food for all Australians.

Producing significantly more food than its population consumes, Australia exports approximately 70% of its agricultural output annually, a core reason why Australia is one of the most food secure countries in the world. This massive surplus, combined with a strong economy and strategic policy frameworks, underpins its high food security ranking globally.