Lately I've been super fascinated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) rules for selling little know fruits and food trees in Perth as food, especially for backyard growers and hobby farmers selling on marketplace, gumtree and at the markets.

My curiousity was awaken when it was announced that a food tree that was consumed in Australia for 170+ years and 5000 years worldwide was being banned. See the story about the moringa ban here.

I shared my thoughts on the Oz Rare Fruits Facebook group, saying that about 95% of uncommon fruit trees wouldn't actually be legal to sell privately, let alone commercially. Man, the pushback was massive! Plenty of people reckoned I was off my rocker and just sensationalising things. I genuinely seek the truth and would be happy to admit I was wrong if in fact I am.

So, I got in touch with FSANZ to ask them straight out. They didn't answer my questions directly, but they did send over their full "Record of Views" listing all the fruits and plants they've looked into. It's a 56-page document last updated recently in June 2026, and below is a summary of what it actually says about fruits they have considered.

I asked AI to separate the plant or plant products that had approval with the list of plants they looked at and declined. Below are those 2 lists.

But the main question persists, a fruit tree that has not been looked at and has no record of traditional use is it automatically banned from sale? I think the answer is yes, but few agree with me.

Before I reveal the lists here is what FSANZ says about a new fruit, with no evidence of traditional use:

"Unless expressly permitted by this Code, a food offered for retail sale must not be a novel food or have a novel food as an ingredient or component."

and

"A food offered for retail sale may consist of, or have as an ingredient, a novel food if: (a) the novel food is listed in the table to section S25—2; and (b) any conditions of use specified in the table are complied with."

LIST 1: Plant products classified as NOVEL

These require a safety assessment before they can be sold as food in Australia and New Zealand.

A–C

• Acacia rigidula – no food tradition, potential adverse effects
• Ackee fruit (Blighia sapida) – significant safety concerns if unripe/improperly prepared
• African mango seed – aqueous extract (Irvingia gabonensis) – no tradition as an extract
• Alpinia galanga extract (EnXtra™) – safety not established
• Apple polyphenol extract (Evesse EPC™) – highly refined, greater exposure than apples
• Ashwagandha root and root extract (Withania somnifera) – no food tradition
• Avocado leaf (Persea americana) – potential adverse effects
• Bamboo leaf extract (Herba lophatheri) – traditional medicine use, not established as food
• Betaine (extracted from sugar beet) – safety not established when extracted and added
• Blackberry leaves and roots (Rubus fruticosis) – safety not established
• Borojoa patinoi (dried fruit pulp powder) – composition inadequately characterised
• Bruguiera gymnorhiza fruit flour – safety not established
• Chaetomorpha linum (spaghetti seaweed powder for beverage) – insufficient safety data
• Citrin (5-hydroxycitric acid) – potential adverse effects
• Coffee berry (whole fruit of Coffea arabica) – safety not established
• α-Cyclodextrin – safety not established
• γ-Cyclodextrin – safety not established

D–F

• Dendrobium (and extracts, incl. D. nobile) – adverse effects reported
• Dieffenbachia amoena (dried vegetable) – significant safety concerns
• Dihydrocapsiate – safety assessment required
• Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) powdered root – adverse effects in Chinese medicine
• Eria jarensis (and extracts) – adverse effects reported
• Eriodictyon californicum (yerba santa) – safety not established
• Euryale ferox seeds (foxnut/Makhana, non-popped forms) – limited safety information
• Flaxseed oil with added lignans (LinumLife) – phytoestrogen concerns
• Fucoidan from brown seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida) – safety assessment required

G–I

• Ganoderma lucidum (extract powder) – pharmacological effects
• Garcinia cambogia (source of 5-hydroxycitric acid) – potential adverse effects
• Ginkgo nut – contains heat-stable toxin (4'-O-methylpyridoxine)
• Glucosamine sulphate – safety not established at proposed level
• Green tea extracts (Camellia sinensis, catechin-enriched) – linked to idiosyncratic liver toxicity
• Hawthorn-berry based jam (Crataegus oxyacantha) – potential adverse effects
• Hericium coralloides powdered extract (mushroom) – safety not established
• Hoodia gordonii – appetite/thirst suppressant, adverse effects possible
• Hovenia dulcis (Oriental raisin tree) extract – safety not established
• Ilex guayusa leaf extract (in ready-to-consume beverage) – safety not established
• Ilex guayusa extract (AmaTea®, ~20% caffeine) – safety not established
• Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba mate) extract – safety not established
• Isoflavones from red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) – safety not established
• Isomalto-oligosaccharide (IMO) – safety assessment required (approved 2017, A1123)
• Isomaltulose – adverse effects in identified sub-groups (approved, A578)

K–M

• Korean tea (Rehmannia glutinosa + Wolfiporia extensa) – no food tradition, adverse effects reported
• Lapacho / Pau d'Arco (Tabebuia impetiginosa, T. avellanedae) – lapachol fetotoxic/embryotoxic in rats
• Leaf protein concentrate from lucerne/alfalfa (Medicago sativa) – safety not established
• Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) in fresh form – safety not established
• Lion's mane powder (Hericium erinaceus) – safety not established, adverse effects reported
• Maltosyltrehalose syrup (Hallodex™) – safety not established
• Mangifera indica leaf extract (mango leaf extract) – pharmacological effects, adverse effects reported
• Matured hops extract – not compositionally identical to beer components
• Methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose – novel when used as ingredients rather than additives
• Moringa oleifera leaf (malunggay) – pharmacological effects, safety not established
• Moringa oleifera powdered mix (seed, leaf, fruit/seed pod) – potential adverse effects
• Mucuna pruriens bean (magic velvet bean) – contains L-dopa, adverse effects in animal studies
• Mycoprotein biomass from Neurospora crassa – safety not established

O–R

• Olive leaf (Olea europaea) – dry leaf not traditional food
• Olive leaf extract (Olea europaea) – pharmacological effects
• Olive leaf powder (remaining after extract removal) – potential adverse effects
• Pereskia aculeata (fresh leaves and dried leaf products such as flour) – adverse effects reported
• Perilla oil (Perilla frutescens) – antithrombotic/anti-inflammatory actions, may be unsuitable for some groups
• Phytostanols derived from tall oils – safety not established
• Phytosterol esters derived from vegetable oils – novel (approved in spreads, cereal, low-fat milk/yoghurt)
• Phytosterol/phytostanol mixture (vegetable or tall oils) – application withdrawn
• Free phytosterols derived from tall oils – novel (approved in spreads and low-fat milk)
• Pine bark extract (Enzogenol®) – safety not established at ingredient levels
• Polypodium leucotomos – pharmacological and adverse effects
• Pueraria mirifica – phytoestrogenic safety concerns
• Rapeseed protein isolate (Brassica napus/juncea) – potential allergenicity
• Red spinach extract (Amaranthus tricolor) – nitrate source (9%), may exceed ADI
• Resveratrol (extract) – safety not established when extracted and added
• Rhodiola crenulata – safety not established
• Rhodiola rosea – pharmacological effects, adverse effects reported
• Rutin (rutoside) – safety assessment required at 500 mg/serve

S–Z

• Sacha inchi seed powder (Plukenetia volubilis) – limited safety info, composition uncertain
• Sacha inchi seed products (roasted seeds, butter, powder) – safety assessment required
• Scaevola spinescens – potential adverse effects
• Sea water (processed/packaged for culinary use) – novel unless safety assured via water/food safety plan
• Siberian chaga (Inonotus obliquus) – liquid/powdered extracts and powder; pharmacological effects
• Slendesta potato protein extract powder – safety concerns re appetite suppression
• Slippery elm bark powder (Ulmus fulva) – safety not established
• Stevia (crushed leaf) – potential adverse effects; stevioside/stevia extract regulated as food additive
• Sucromalt – new food ingredient, safety assessment required
• Theanine (as isolated substance) – safety as single substance not established
• Trehalose – safety not established
• Urolithin A – safety assessment required
• White kidney bean extract (Phaseolus vulgaris) – effects on carbohydrate metabolism, potential lectins

LIST 2: Plant products classified as NOT NOVEL

These can be sold as food, often with specific conditions, usage limits, or notes.

A–C

• Acacia pycnantha gum (Australian Golden Wattle) – traditional Indigenous food, up to 30 g/day
• Acerola (Malpighia glabra) frozen fruit pulp – history of safe consumption
• Agave nectar (Agave tequilana azul) – history of use in Mexico
• Akudjera / Bush Tomato (Solanum centrale) – traditional Aboriginal food
• Algalin flour (Chlorella protothecoides) – tradition of Chlorella use
• Aloe vera (juice and juice concentrate) – established beverage market
• Amaranth seed (Amaranthus sp) – no safety concerns
• Amomum tsaoko seed – used as a spice
• Anise myrtle (Anetholea anisata) – traditional Australian food
• Apple peel powder – no concerns at 2–6 g per serve
• Apple polyphenol extract – no concerns based on specifications (different from the highly refined novel version)
• Argan oil – history of safe use, composition like other vegetable oils
• Asafoetida (Ferula assafoetida) – traditional spice
• Astragalus membranaceous powder – no concerns at 0.25% in beverage
• Baobab fruit powder – traditional African use; laxative effect at high intake
• BARLEYmax™ barley – traditional breeding
• Baru nut (Dipteryx alata), roasted – no safety concerns
• Acai berries (Euterpe oleracea) – history of use in South America
• Beta palmitin vegetable oil – use in infant formula overseas
• Birch fibre (Betula tree) – no concerns up to 3 g/100 g in baked products
• Black sapote (Diospyros digyna) – no safety concerns
• Boab fruit – limited Indigenous use, no concerns
• Broccoli seed extract – no concerns at 15–30 mg glucoraphanin/day
• Cacao juice and concentrate – no safety concerns
• Caja (Spondias mombin) frozen puree – history of use in South America
• Calamondin / calamansi – available interchangeably with cumquats
• Calcium sucrose phosphate – no concerns at up to 2% of carbohydrate content
• Camelina oil and spice (Camelina sativa) – no concerns (erucic acid limits apply)
• Camu camu fruit (Myrciaria dubia) – no concerns
• Canarium nut – no safety concerns
• Cashew frozen fruit pulp – history of use in South America
• Cassava (Manihot esculenta) – traditional, but preparation instructions required (cyanogenic compounds)
• Chamelaucium uncinatum (Geraldton waxflower) powder – for gin distillation only
• Cherry skin and pulp flour (Prunus avium) – no safety concerns
• Chia seed (Salvia hispanica) – no safety concerns
• Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra) – no concerns
• Chlorella sorokiniana – tradition of Chlorella use
• Citrus fibre – traditional, up to 5% usage
• ClearTaste™ – fermented mycelium product; no viable C. sinensis remains; no concerns at ppm levels
• Cocoa fruit frozen puree – history of use in South America
• Cocona fruit (Solanum sessiliflorum) – no concerns
• Coffee berry (dried and powdered) – no concerns at 300 mg/serve, up to 8 servings/day
• Coffee cherry drink – no concerns at ~12 mg caffeine/100 mL
• Corn fibre (corn Ztrim) – traditional
• Cornus mas (Cornelian cherry) – history of safe use
• Cornus officinalis (Japanese Cornelian cherry) – history of safe use
• Cranberry extract powder – traditional, if phenolic concentration ≤ cranberry juice

D–H

• Damiana (Turnera diffusa) – not novel in beverages at <100 mg/100 mL
• Davidson Plum – traditional Australian food
• Dendropanax morbiferus (dried leaf) – no concerns up to 4 g/day as tea
• Desert lime fruit (Citrus glauca) – traditional Australian food
• Diatomaceous earth – no concerns at 6 g/day (must meet specification requirements)
• Equisetum arvense (horsetail) – no concerns at 8 mg/serve in powdered beverage
• Euryale ferox seeds, popped (Makhana) – no concerns (popped/roasted form only)
• Evening primrose seed – no concerns at proposed levels
• Finger lime (Citrus australasica) – traditional Australian food
• Fonio grain (Digitaria exilis) – no safety concerns
• Fresh bamboo shoots – traditional, but preparation instructions required
• Gac juice (Momordica cochinchinensis) – history of food use in Asia
• Galactooligosaccharides (plant-based from pea/soy) – no concerns at 3–12 g/day; GI disturbance at high intake
• (High) β-Glucan cereals – no concerns
• β-Glucan derived from barley – no concerns with production method
• β-Glucan derived from oats – traditional, no concerns at up to 3 g/serve
• Goji juice (Lycium barbarum) – history of food use in Central Asia
• Grape pomace extract – no concerns
• Grape purée/powder (from fermented grape pomace) – no concerns at 1–5% (purée) or 0.1–0.5% (powder)
• Grapeseed extract – no concerns
• Graviola (Annona muricata) frozen fruit pulp – limited tradition, no concerns
• Green coffee beans (unroasted) – meets Code definition of coffee
• Green coffee extract – no concerns
• Guanabana fruit (Annona muricata) – no concerns
• Hawthorn fruit processed pulp (Crataegus pinnatifida) – no concerns in confectionery
• Hibiscus sabdariffa (flower) – traditional use
• Horopito (Pseudowintera colorata leaf) – traditional NZ seasoning
• Highly branched cyclic dextrin (Cluster dextrin) – no concerns at 25–60 g/day as carbohydrate source
• Humic–fulvic acid – no concerns up to 100 mg/serve

I–M

• Illawarra plum (Podocarpus elatus) – traditional Australian food
• Ilex guayusa leaf (hot water infusion) – no concerns as tea-like beverage
• Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) – long history of use in Australia
• Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) – traditional Indigenous food (milled whole grain/seeds in baked products)
• Kawakawa dried leaf herbal infusion (Piper excelsum) – traditional NZ use by Māori and early settlers
• Kawakawa dried leaf as seasoning component (Piper excelsum) – traditional NZ use
• Kelp – fermented – tradition of kelp consumption (not fermented); no concerns at 50 mg/kg in beverage
• Kimchi – traditional Korean fermented dish, no adverse effects
• Kombucha tea – traditional, but contamination safety concerns (mould)
• Konjac (100% konjac in thermo-irreversible gel) – history of safe use in Japan/Asia
• Konjac glucomannans (Amorphophallus species flour/powder) – history of safe use in Japan; note mini jelly cups and tablets banned as choking hazards
• Korean supplement drink (lotus seeds/root, sea tangle/kelp, jew's marrow) – no concerns at low level of use
• Kupua (Theobroma grandiflorum) frozen puree – history of use in Brazil/Peru
• Larch arabinogalactan (Larix occidentalis) – approved as Schedule 2 food additive; no concerns as ingredient
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) – traditional flavouring use, no concerns at low level
• Lemon aspen fruit (Acronychia acidula) – traditional Australian food
• Lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) – traditional Australian food
• Lentein (Lentein™ Complete) – dried/milled duckweed/water lentil powder, no concerns up to 24 g/serving
• Lithothamnion calcareum (red seaweed) – no concerns at 1.7 g powder/serve, up to 2 serves/day
• Luo han guo fruit juice (Siraitia grosvenorii / monk fruit) – traditional, particularly in Asian diets; juice only, not mogroside-concentrated extracts
• Lycopene-enriched tomato extracts – comparable to tomato paste
• Maca powder (Lepidium meyenii) – history of safe use in South America
• Mangosteen juice (Garcinia mangostana) – traditional use, no concerns
• Mangosteen rind powder – non-traditional but no safety concerns
• Manuka leaf and stem (Leptospermum scoparium) – traditional NZ food
• Mesophyllum superpositum (red seaweed, AlgaeCal®) – no concerns at up to 500 mg/day powdered product
• Mesquite whole pod powder (Neltuma glandulosa) – no concerns at 10–30 g/day
• Mintbush (Prostanthera incisa, P. rotundifolia) – traditional Australian food
• Momordica grosvenori juice (as sweetener) – regulate as food additive (intense sweetener), not approved
• Muntries (Kunzea pomifera) – history of use in Australia
• Mycoprotein from Fusarium venenatum (Quorn™) – non-traditional but widely available elsewhere >20 years, no safety concerns

N–R

• Nata de Coco – traditional fermented coconut dessert
• Natto (fermented soybean) – history of safe use, no concerns
• Oat fibre (powdered from oat hull) – non-traditional but no safety concerns
• Olive fruit extract (elaVida™ 40%) – no concerns up to 20 mg/day hydroxytyrosol
• Olive fruit juice (concentrate/powder HIDROX®) – equivalent to olive consumption
• Olive leaf tea (Olea europaea) – non-traditional but no concerns at ~12 mg oleuropein/200 mL
• Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) – traditional, no concerns at low levels
• Pea and rice protein fermented by shiitake mycelia (PureTaste™ Protein) – no safety concerns; Lentinula edodes functions as processing aid (no permission in Code)
• PhytoCellTec™ Malus domestica (apple) powder – no concerns at ≤10 μg/day
• PhytoCellTec™ Md Nu (apple cell culture) – no concerns at ≤10 mg/day
• PhytoCellTec™ SV Nu (grape cell culture) – no concerns at ≤20 mg/day
• Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) – traditional food
• Pig face leaf (Carpobrotus glaucescens) – traditional Indigenous food (as pickle/relish component)
• Pine bark extract – not novel when used as surface treatment for cut fruit at 18 mg/L
• Pistachia gum (Pistachia terebinthus/lentiscus) – long overseas history, available in Australia
• Polyglycitol syrup (in hard confectionery up to 97%) – potential laxative effect; labelling advisory needed
• Potato protein isolate – equivalent to potato protein in diet
• Purslane leaf (Portulaca oleracea) – traditional Indigenous food (as pickle/relish component)
• Quandong fruit flesh (Santalum acuminatum) – traditional Australian food
• Quinoa – no concerns
• Resveratrol (from grapes, added to wine at 100 mg/L) – no concerns at this level only
• Riberry (Syzygium luehmannii) – traditional Australian food
• Rivermint (Mentha australis) – traditional Australian food
• Rose petal extract (Sence rose nectar) – traditional use in teas, beverages, baked products
• Round lime (Citrus australis) – traditional Australian food
• Rowan-berries extract (Sorbus aucuparia) – regulate as food additive (preservative, sorbic acid source)

S–Z

• Sacha inchi seed oil (Plukenetia volubilis) – no concerns (oil only, not powder)
• Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) – traditional Australian food
• Salvia columariae – traditional food, no concerns
• Salicornia brachiata (dried/powdered) – no concerns as seasoning at salt-equivalent levels (0.5–2 g/serve; ≤5 g/day)
• Samphire species (Tecticornia lepidosperma, Salicornia quinqueflora) – non-traditional but no concerns; monitor metal contaminants if wild-harvested
• Satinash (Syzygium fibrosum) – traditional Australian food
• Sauco fruit (Sambucus peruviana) – non-traditional but no concerns
• Sea buckthorn juice (Hippophae rhamnoides) – non-traditional but no concerns
• Sea buckthorn leaf tea – non-traditional but no concerns
• Sea parsley (Apium prostratum) – traditional Australian food
• Shea olein (Vitellaria paradoxa seed) – no concerns as fat replacement
• Schizandra (Schizandra chinensis) – not novel in beverages at <100 mg/100 mL
• Soy protein extract (soy 'whey' fraction) – traditional, consumed as natural component of soy products
• Sugarcane extract (Phytolin™, Benecarb®) – traditional food
• Sugarcane fibres (bagasse, pith, Kfibre®) – no concerns
• Sugarcane juice and concentrate (Saccharum officinarum) – traditional
• Tapioca fibre – non-traditional but no safety concerns
• Tasmannia glaucifolia (fragrant pepperbush leaves/berries) – no concerns
• Tasmannia pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata) – traditional Australian food
• Tempeh (fermented soybean) – traditional food
• Theanine (added to carbonated beverages at 100 mg/250 mL) – no concerns at this level only
• L-theanine (added to non-carbonated beverages at 100 mg/300 mL or 200 mg/600 mL) – no concerns at these levels only
• Tigernut oil and tigernut milk extract (Cyperus esculentus) – no concerns
• Tomato concentrate (Fruitflow® I and II) – traditional, long history in tomato products
• Tritordeum flour and whole grain – traditional hybrid cross, no concerns
• Umbu (Spondias tuberosa) frozen puree – history of use in Brazil, no concerns
• Valerian root extract (Valeriana officinalis) – traditional as flavouring at ≤40 mg/500 mL
• Vegetable oil emulsion (oat oil + palm oil, SlimShots) – traditional
• Vistive™ Low Lin soybean and oil – traditional crops, traditional breeding
• Water kefir – non-traditional but no concerns
• Wattle seed (Acacia spp.) – traditional Aboriginal food
• Wheat bran extract – no concerns at ≤5 g/serve as fibre source
• White kidney bean extract (Phase 2™) (Phaseolus vulgaris) – specific product update; constituents similar to raw/cooked white kidney beans; no concerns at intended levels
• Wolffia australiana (duckweed/watermeal) – non-traditional but no concerns, used like a vegetable
• Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) – history of safe use, no concerns
• Yam daisy / Murnong (Microseris lanceolata) – traditional Indigenous food (roasted/baked tuber only)
• Yuzu (Citrus junos) – tradition of safe use in Japan

Important caveats:

• "Not novel" does not mean unlimited use—many entries have specific usage limits or conditions.
• This document is a guide only; enforcement is ultimately the responsibility of Australian state/territory and New Zealand governments. to me this is frought with issues. a Council or state government can do what they like virtually.

Source: "Enforcement of the Code is the responsibility of the Australian state and territory governments and the New Zealand Government. Accordingly, the interpretation and application of Standard 1.5.1, including decisions about the novelty of a food or food ingredient, is ultimately the responsibility of those jurisdictions."

• Some items (e.g., hemp seeds) are permitted with restrictions under other Code standards.
• The lists above cover only plant products from the portion of the document provided. The full document contains many more entries, including non-plant items.

So what does this all mean? Was I right to say 95% of fruits are automatically banned? Yes I am write but no the reality is the nuence of how a complaint works.

Thinking a fruit tree with no local track record is automatically banned isn't quite right.

It comes down to regulatory paperwork, not an outright ban.

So let's recap again with how the system actually works, along with all the annoying head-scratching nuance that comes with it. Under Standard 1.5.1, if a fruit doesn't have a history of people eating it in Australia or New Zealand, it gets slapped with the label non-traditional. If your quirky fruit tree isn't listed in the official Record of Views and lacks a paper trail of local use, the government's default setting is to assume it's non-traditional.

The only way to allow a non traditional fruit to be allowed nationally and in NZ is with the "Not Novel" exception. A food can be declared not novel even without a long history of Aussie consumption if FSANZ decides the existing data proves it's safe.

This is where the fun begins. A novel food is defined as a non-traditional food that needs a public health and safety check. Because an unlisted fruit has zero established safety history here, bureaucrats treat it as novel until someone proves otherwise.

So, it isn't banned forever; it's just trapped behind a giant, painful hurdle. You aren't allowed to sell a novel food unless it gets officially written into the Food Standards Code. To make that happen, someone has to submit a massive application to FSANZ stuffed with scientific safety data. It costs a small fortune and takes an absolute age, which is why most backyard growers throw their hands up in despair. In the meantime, councils and state health departments could technically fine you for selling novel foods, but often they don't, because they aren't likely going to receive a complaint to start the investigation.

A single complaint can trigger the full machinery. A market competitor, a disgruntled customer, or even a well-meaning member of the public can lodge a complaint. Once an authorised officer investigates, they are obligated to act on non-compliance they find — not just the specific complaint. A complaint about "this person is selling weird fruit" could lead to an inspection that identifies novel food violations.

My claim that 95 or (even 99%) percent of uncommon fruits are illegal to sell is pretty much on the money. The vast majority of weird and wonderful fruit trees without a proven track record fall straight into the novel category. That means selling them as food without going through the agonising approval process is a big no-no.
The infuriating little detail is that they aren't banned on a blacklist. Instead, they are simply unapproved for sale, and the heavy burden of proving they won't poison anyone falls entirely on the seller before a single piece of fruit can legally change hands...even privately through non-commercial sales. It's just that most busy councils and state health authorities don't actively scour through Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and all the many independent markets looking for fruits not on FSANZ latest Record of Views.

Soursop Toxicity

Soursop made the non-novel list, meaning growers can legally sell the fruit in Australia. Ironically, the plant carries real safety risks. Soursop contains natural compounds linked to neurotoxicity and brain damage if consumed in high amounts over time, especially from leaves, seeds, or concentrated extracts. A safe intake of the fruit pulp is estimated at around 300 grams a day.

The 300 gram daily limit is based on a single study, not the scientific consensus. Most food scientists would say occasional moderate consumption is considered safe, but no specific gram limit is set. Regardless a full fruit in one day could very well proof to be over the safety limit.

FSANZ appears to have focused narrowly on frozen fruit pulp as a standard food product, completely ignoring the toxicological profile of the broader plant.
What does this actually mean? It means nobody has submitted a comprehensive, modern safety application for soursop to FSANZ yet. The fruit is permitted for sale simply because it has an established history of consumption. However, if a formal toxicity study were submitted, regulators would likely ban the fruit outright—just like they did with moringa—or at least slap a strict daily dosage limit on a future Record of Views.

The Olive Leaf Extract "contradiction" Novel or non novel?

Olive leaf appearing on both lists isn't a contradiction—it's because FSANZ assesses each specific product form separately, not the plant as a whole. Olive leaf tea, made by infusing dried leaves in hot water, delivers only about 12 mg of oleuropein per 200 mL (roughly equivalent to two olives), which is a low, food-like exposure, so FSANZ classified it as "not novel." However, the dry leaf consumed directly as a food, the concentrated olive leaf extract, and the leftover olive leaf powder all deliver much higher levels of oleuropein and other compounds, giving them potential pharmacological effects and no tradition of use in those forms—so FSANZ classified each of those as "novel." The same pattern appears with other plants: Sacha inchi seed oil is not novel but the seed powder is; white kidney bean extract is novel generically but the Phase 2™ product is not. So "novel" status is product-specific, not plant-specific.

Moringa - The Great Mistake

See Article.