The Australian Committee on Novel Foods (ACNU) has classified Moringa Oleifera as a Non-Traditional and Novel Food. The ACNU’s current opinion of Moringa is not legally binding. It is just the current recommendation they have made based on the limited research that they have done on Moringa.
In any case though, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) has not yet considered Moringa Oleifera for inclusion in the food supply. This is not necessarily based on the recommendation of the ACNU, but likely rather because there is no history of human consumption of Moringa Oleifera in Australia and New Zealand. As a result, Moringa Oleifera cannot be legally sold as food for human consumption in Australia and New Zealand – either as an independent food or as an ingredient in any product made for human consumption.
Despite the limited use of Moringa in Australia and New Zealand to date, BILLIONS of people consume Moringa Oleifera around the world, and have done so for thousands of years. Even the Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has released a comprehensive report on Moringa Oleifera which clearly states the historial use of the plant in other parts of the world. It also reports on the health benefits and many uses of the Moringa Oleifera plant.
In addition to the Novel Food classification, Moringa Oleifera has not been added by the Australian Government Department of Health Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). For this reason, Moringa Oleifera cannot be sold as a health supplement neither can advertising claims be made as to the health benefits of Moringa Oleifera.
Due to the current FSANZ and TGA matters mentioned above, Moringa Oleifera cannot be sold either as ‘Food’ for human consumption or as a health supplement.
Therefore, if you choose to consume Moringa Oleifera or use it as a health supplement, you do so at your own risk.
We apologise for having to portray Moringa Oleifera in this light. In our opinion it is worthy of being called the Miracle Tree. There are many superfoods in the world but only Moringa has entire organizations dedicated to the promotion of Moringa cultivation and consumption in developing lands. Hopefully, in due time we can gather the exhaustive paperwork and clinical studies to prove the true essence of Moringa Oleifera and get it approved by both the FSANZ and TGA.