FSANZ calling for comment on new genetically modified corn

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow food from a new type of genetically modified corn line in the Food Standards Code. The corn line has been genetically modified to be resistant to a range of herbicides. The genetically modified corn can be used in products such as starch, grits, meal, flour, oil and sweeteners (corn syrups).

The period for comment will close at 6pm (Canberra time), on 21 May 2020. All FSANZ decisions are notified to ministers responsible for food regulation who can request a review of the decision.

“When assessing any applications to approve a new food or ingredients, our number one priority is making sure it’s safe and doesn’t pose a risk to the health of Australian and New Zealand consumers. FSANZ undertook a full safety assessment which looked at the transferred genetic material, its stability, novel protein in the food, as well as the composition of the food and an evaluation of intended and unintended changes. FSANZ found that the corn derived from this GM line is as safe as traditional non-GM corn,” said Mark Booth, FSANZ CEO.

Foods made from the genetically modified corn must be labelled as ‘genetically modified’, where novel DNA and/or protein is present in the final food.

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