When you read documents under the Food Act 2014, you need to understand how references to standard works are used. You will see references to standard works in adopted joint food standards, domestic food standards, regulations, and notices. These standard works are like guides that people agree on and use.

If a document refers to the latest edition of a standard work, you should look at the most recent edition available when you read it. This includes any changes made to the standard work up to that time. However, if a document refers to a specific edition of a standard work, you must use that exact edition.

A standard work of reference is a guide that is widely accepted as a standard in its field, like the Codex Alimentarius. The chief executive decides what works are standard references based on international or industry acceptance. You can find more information about changes to the law, such as the amendment made on 2 March 2018 by section 53 of the Food Safety Law Reform Act 2018.