Genetically modified potato: call for comment

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the sale and use of food made from a new genetically modified (GM) potato.

Potato line BG25 has been genetically modified to have disease resistance to late blight and Potato Virus Y, as well as low-reducing sugars and reduced browning.

If approved, food made from this type of GM potato could be imported into Australia and New Zealand in the form of potato starch, potato flour or pre-cooked potato chips.

To have your say about this application, see the public consultations page on the FSANZ website. Submissions close at 6 pm (AEDT), 29 August 2024.

Safety assessments are a key part of the FSANZ approval process for all GM foods FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said: “Our safety assessment considered the specific genetic modification process, the nutrient content compared to a non-GM food of its type, and any potential allergic or toxic effects in humans.

“FSANZ found no potential public health and safety concerns with this GM potato. It is as safe as non-GM potato varieties.”

To help people make informed choices, food made from this potato would need to be labelled as ‘genetically modified’ if novel DNA and/or novel proteins were contained in the final food.

FSANZ’s approval would not permit the GM potato to be grown in Australia or New Zealand. Importation of whole viable tubers or any cultivation of this GM potato would require separate regulatory assessment and approval by the Gene Technology Regulator in Australia and the Environmental Protection Authority in New Zealand.

Image credit: iStock.com/Mehmet Hilmi Barcin