Ban on ancient 'superfood' divides growers and regulators

Gary Duffy has compiled a new application, hoping to reverse the FSANZ decision on moringa. (Supplied: Gary Duffy)

Food Standards Australia New Zealand rejected an application to sell Moringa oleifera as a food or food ingredient after being unable to establish whether it was safe.

Imported, raw moringa can be destroyed, but TGA-registered pharmaceuticals containing it are still available.

Growers have filed a new application to overturn the decision.

Australian Moringa oleifera growers are unsure whether they will able to sell their product after the next harvest.

Moringa cannot be sold as a food or food ingredient after Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) ruled in November 2025 that it was unable to establish that it was safe for human consumption.

Somerset region grower Gary Duffy is leading an appeal to reverse the decision.

Parts of Moringa oleifera, or drumstick tree, are used in Eastern recipes and in health supplements.

The FSANZ ruling applies to the leaves, immature pods and oils of the plant, which can now be destroyed at the Australian border or re-exported.

However, therapeutic products or supplements that contain moringa, such as capsules and powders, will remain available for purchase only if they are registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration [TGA].

Registered therapeutic products that contain parts of the plant are still available. (Pixabay)

Mr Duffy has written to federal, state and territory health ministers to seek a stay on the determination while FSANZ assesses his appeal.

"Fresh product going into the Melbourne and Sydney markets was all imported from overseas, and we [Australian growers] want to try to bridge that gap," he said.

A spokesperson from the federal Department of Health, Disability and Ageing said the rejection was not open to FSANZ or the minister to review or suspend and advised Mr Duffy that a new application would be welcomed.

A decision on his new application could take up to two years.

Joel Molloy is not sure whether he will be able to sell the crop due for harvest in summer. (ABC News: Tayla Larsen)

Wide Bay grower Joel Molloy hopes there will be an outcome sooner rather than later.

He was involved in the industry for 10 years before relocating from the Gold Coast to Rosedale, five hours' drive north of Brisbane, to establish his own farm.

He bought the property just before FSANZ handed down its decision.

"I invested everything I had into this farm, and it's 10 years of work, and then just overnight it's gone," Mr Molloy said.

FSANZ's decision was in response to an applicati