Member opportunities to participate in FSANZ’s Binational Food Industry Dialogue

18 July 2025

Background 

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) hosts the Binational Food Industry Dialogue (BFID) to promote ongoing engagement and collaboration with industry stakeholders. The purpose of BFID is to enhance information sharing on matters of shared interest across the sector. 

Following a recent review of BFID’s Terms of Reference, FSANZ has refocussed membership to peak-bodies, with each able to nominate 2 members to participate in the meetings as observers. 

Member action 

The AFGC is inviting expressions of interest (EOIs) from full member companies to nominate a representative for a one-year term. 

EOIs are to be submitted to Devika Thakkar by Friday, 25 July 2025.  
Please include your name, position, and a brief overview of your relevant experience. 

To be considered for the position, nominees need to: 

• Act in the best interests of AFGC and the wider FMCG industry, free from any personal, professional or commercial bias. 
• Be employees of full member companies with sufficient seniority and influence to contribute meaningfully. 
• Commit to attend and actively participate in 3 x BFID meetings across the year (2 x virtual, 1 x face-to-face). The dates for this year’s (virtual) meetings are 28 August and 27 November. 
• Contribute to AFGC’s pre- and post-BFID meeting briefings, sharing insights, verbal updates and reporting back to the broader AFGC membership. 

AFGC action 

The AFGC Secretariat with consider the EOIs and select two members to attend BFID for the initial one-year period. This process will be repeated on a yearly basis, including a call for additional EOIs, to enable ongoing opportunities across the AFGC membership. 

The AFGC Secretariat will seek balanced representation across the food and beverage sectors. To avoid duplicate nominations, the AFGC is coordinating with the New Zealand Food and Grocery Council. If you are eligible for nomination through another peak body, please consider your options carefully. 

Recognising opportunities for members to attend BFID are limited, AFGC will provide a debrief (webinar) after each meeting to share information and insights. This will be open to all AFGC full members. 

Please contact Devika Thakkar if you would like further information. 

 
Dr Duncan Craig
Director, Nutrition and Regulation