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Education materials on GM foods and NBTs

Education materials on GM foods and NBTs (October 2021) We have developed a series of fact sheets and videos on genetically modified (GM) foods and new breeding techniques (NBTs). Fact sheets 

Canola line genetically modified to produce long chain fatty acids

Canola line genetically modified to produce long chain fatty acids Food Standards Australia New Zealand has assessed an application to permit food from a canola line that has been genetically modified to produce the omega 3 long chain fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the seeds. DHA, which is mainly obtained from eating seafood and marine oils, plays a role in physiological functions including regulating inflammation and immune function, and cardiovascular function. The call for submissions on FSANZ's assessment closed on 26 October 2017. Read the assessment documents What products can the canola oil/seed be used in? The applicant has stated that this canola line could provide an alternative…

Published December 2023

Herbicides in GM foods

Herbicides in GM foods (August 2019)  Farmers use herbicides to reduce weeds in their crops. Herbicides, together with herbicide tolerant crops, allow farmers to selectively destroy weeds without damaging the main crop. Genes for herbicide tolerance can be introduced into crops using either conventional plant breeding or gene technology. Conventionally bred herbicide-tolerant crops are grown in both Australia and New Zealand, and genetically modified (GM) herbicide-tolerant crops are also grown in Australia. No GM crops are currently grown commercially in New Zealand. Examples of conventional (non-GM) herbicide tolerant crops include triazine-tolerant and imidazolinone-tolerant canola and imidazolinone-tolerant wheat. Herbicide-tolerant GM cotton and canola, licensed for growing in Australia…

Published December 2023

New plant breeding techniques workshops

New plant breeding techniques workshops (June 2014) Foods produced from plants developed using new plant breeding techniques are close to commercialisation and food regulators around the world, including FSANZ, must decide whether they are subject to regulation as genetically modified (GM) foods. To enhance our understanding of the techniques and the food products that might come from them, FSANZ held technical workshops in 2012 and 2013 and invited scientific experts to participate. Scientific views were also sought on whether foods derived from plants developed using the new techniques should be regarded as GM food, or whether they are more like conventional food. FSANZ may have regard to the scientific conclusions from these workshops when considering applications to…

Published December 2023

Safety assessments of GM foods

Safety assessments of GM foods How does FSANZ ensure GM foods are safe? FSANZ has established a rigorous and transparent process for assessing the safety of GM foods. The safety assessment is undertaken in accordance with internationally established scientific principles and guidelines developed through the work of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, World Health Organization (WHO) and the codex Alimentarius Commission. The data requirements to guide the safety assessment are provided in Guideline 3.5.1 of the Application Handbook and additional information on these data requirements is provided in Part 2.3 (GM Applications - Additional Information…

Published January 2024

Food derived from GM plants containing stacked genes

Food derived from GM plants containing stacked genes (August 2019) What is gene stacking? Gene stacking refers to the process of combining genes of interest into a single plant line. It is used in conventional as well as genetically modified (GM) crops to develop improved lines. A stacked GM line contains at least two novel genes. Stacked genes are sometimes referred to as stacked events; gene stacking as gene pyramiding How are the genes combined? Traditional plant breeding is the most common way to stack novel genes in GM crops. Individual GM plant lines, each expressing a desired trait or multiple traits, are cross fertilised to produce a new generation of plants exhibiting the traits of the parent lines. Examples of stacked GM lines generated using traditional breeding include:

  • Roundup…

    Published December 2023

Annexe with the Department of Agriculture on imported food

Annexe with the Department of Agriculture on imported food An arrangement for coordination of procedures and communication of imported food issues between - Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the Department of Agriculture

FSANZ advice on imported human milk and human milk products

FSANZ advice on imported human milk and human milk products (April 2020) In late 2017, we were asked by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment to consider the risks associated with the importation of human milk and human milk products into Australia. This advice has been provided to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment who manage food safety risks at the border.   What we looked at We assessed 30 potential hazards in imported human milk and human milk products. When determining the level of risk, we assumed the most vulnerable category of infants (preterm infants in hospital neonatal intensive care units) would be receiving the products. What are human milk products? Human milk is expressed milk from lactating…

Published December 2023

What we do (and don't do)

What we do (and don't do)   Transcript The Australian and New Zealand joint food regulation system involves governments at all levels. Our role is to develop and manage standards for food. Some of the standards we develop are for both Australia and New Zealand. Others are for Australia only. Standards become part of food laws in Australian states and territories and in New Zealand.  They are enforced by state and territory governments and the New Zealand government. The joint Food Standards Code includes requirements for labelling, composition (for some foods) and permissions for things like processing aids, additives and vitamins and minerals in food.   The code also has food safety standards and primary production and processing standards that apply only in Australia. We also help coordinate…

Published December 2023

Warning and advisory statements

Warning and advisory statements Advisory statements Advisory statements must be provided for certain foods or ingredients which may cause health risks for some consumers. Foods or ingredients that fall into this category include:

  • aspartame - labels on food containing the intense sweetener aspartame must indicate the food contains phenylalanine (which can affect people with the rare genetic disorder phenylketonuria)
  • guarana or guarana extracts - labels on food containing guarana or extracts of guarana (which is a natural source of caffeine) must indicate that the food contains caffeine
  • plant sterols - labels on foods containing added plant…

    Published December 2023