The Trans Pacific Partnership agreement reached in January 2018 may well translate to a opportunity to increase your business, as either a food importer or exporter.
Australia is one of 11 countries to reach agreement with Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
Reduction in tarriffs and new trade agreements with Canada and Mexico and greater market access to Japan, Chile, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei are expected to be finalised and signed off in March 2018. There is talk of Indonesia and Korea joining the agreement in the future.
It is reported that the significant wins for Australian exporters under the TPP include:

• Accelerated reductions in Japan’s import tariffs on beef
• Elimination of a range of cheese tariffs into Japan covering more than $100 million of trade that was not covered by the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement.
• New quotas for wheat and rice to Japan, and for sugar into Japan, Canada and Mexico
• Elimination of all tariffs on sheep meat, cotton, wool, seafood, horticulture, wine and industrial products (manufactured goods).

“The TPP covers nations that together constitute 40% of the global economy, and includes 5 of Australia’s top ten export markets for food and beverages"  AFGC.

Gary Kennedy was recently on ABC radio Sydney discussing the safety of wooden boards and implements- a trend we have seen  in the past year in food service.
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From ABC News site
www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-18/eating-food-served-wooden-boards-health-safety/9336302

While Mr Kennedy said there were no specific NSW laws regarding the use of wood in food service, he said it came under the same scrutiny like any other used in the industry.
"What the rules say is that it must be washable and impervious and it must not contaminate the food," he said.
"Things like coffee stirrers, toothpicks, bamboo steamers — they all legally have to be showing that nothing comes out of the wood that contaminates.
Pesticide residues, wood treatments and varnishes, all of that still has to be food-grade and if it does in any way get out and get into the food, it's got to be shown to meet the legal limits in the food standards code."
He noted that wooden serving boards were usually oiled, giving them some water resistance.
"Of course, if you repeatedly cut it with a knife you're going to cut through that coating which is one of the problems."

"Roast meats have always traditionally been served on wooden chopping boards," 
"Provided they're maintained and cleaned properly, there's no problem with them."

South Africa is in the midst of a large listeria outbreak with over 67 deaths and over 700 confirmed cases in January 2018. The source of the listeria infection is yet to be determined.
Read the article reported by food quality news here.

Gary Kennedy answers questions, helping listeners of radio station 2UE to keep the Christmas leftover food safe to eat.
 omny.fm/shows/home-and-holiday/how-long-can-you-keep-food-in-the-fridge

FSANZ has a useful summary sheet on the elements of a food label in Australia.
Review this useful guide here170314-interactive-labelling-poster_fsanz.pdf
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