Comment sought on food code

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released details of changes being considered to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and has invited individuals and organisations with an interest in food standards to comment on the proposals. The changes include the fortification of cereal-based beverages with selected vitamins and minerals, two new GM foods, the addition of phytosterols to fruit juices and fruit drinks and an examination of benzoate and sulfite additives in food.

FSANZ is an independent government agency that sets food standards for Australia and New Zealand. Industry can apply the FSANZ to vary food standards in the Code at any time. FSANZ's responsibility is to ensure that changes are only approved if there are no concerns for public health and safety and that adequate and accurate information is provided to consumers. The standard-setting process usually involves two rounds of public consultation. Information on how to make a submission can be found on the FSANZ website at www.foodstandards.gov.au

Coca-Cola South Pacific has applied for permission to use phytosterols derived from vegetable oils as novel food ingredients in fruit juice and fruit drinks containing a minimum 20% fruit juice.

The products are intended for consumers over the age of 40 with concerns about their blood cholesterol levels. Phytosterols are already allowed in table spreads and margarines and their use in low-fat milk, yoghurt and breakfast cereals is under consideration.

Novozymes A/S has asked FSANZ to amend the Food Standards Code to approve the use of a new enzyme - phospholipase A1 - as a processing aid. Its purpose would be to improve process efficiencies and yields in cheese manufacture. The enzyme is produced using recombinant DNA techniques.

Syngenta Seeds is seeking approval for food derived from corn line MIR604, which has been genetically modified to be resistant to three species of corn rootworm. If approved, food from this corn line will be able to enter Australia and New Zealand as imported products. The application is for use of MIR604 corn as a food only.

At present, GM corn cannot be grown commercially in either country. If FSANZ accepts this application, it will undertake a safety assessment of the new GM corn to ensure that it is as safe for consumers as its non-GM counterpart. FSANZ is reviewing the use of sulfites and benzoates as chemical preservatives in food. The review has been initiated because the 21st Australian Total Diet Study found high consumption levels by some age groups in the population, including young children. Although these high levels are unacceptable, they do not represent a risk to the health of these individuals.

So Natural Foods Australia has requested an amendment to the Food Standards Code to allow the addition of calcium to cereal-based beverages (eg, rice and oat beverages). These are generally consumed by individuals who are allergic/intolerant to dairy and/or soy products, or who choose not to consume dairy products.

FSANZ has put forward three regulatory options for discussion, including its preferred option, which would permit the voluntary addition of selected vitamins and minerals to cereal-based beverages, with a requirement for specific advisory labelling.

Monsanto Australia has applied for approval for food derived from genetically modi-fied cotton line MON 88913. The introduced genetic trait confers increased tolerance to glyphosate herbicide (Roundup Ready) during the reproductive phases of growth.

FSANZ has concluded that there are no public health and safety issues associated with this GM cotton and is recommending approval for use, mainly as cottonseed oil.