Frequently Asked Questions on Genetically Modified Foods
(Revised March 2008)
Part 1. General Questions
How are genetically modified (GM) foods regulated in Australia and New Zealand?
What is GM food?
What is the process for approving GM foods?
How can the public participate in the GM food approval process?
Who considers potential environmental risks associated with GM foods?
Part 2. Safety Assessment of GM Foods
How does FSANZ ensure that GM foods are safe?
What is the basis of the safety assessment?
Is company data used during the assessment of a GM food?
Why does FSANZ not do its own independent testing of GM foods?
Are there potential long-term risks associated with the consumption of GM foods?
Why doesn’t FSANZ require that GM foods be tested in animals?
Is the composition of GM foods different to the composition of non-GM foods?
Does genetically modifying a food decrease its nutritional value?
Are there risks associated with the possible introduction of new toxins and allergens in GM foods?
Is there potential for an increase in antibiotic resistance in humans resulting from the use of antibiotic resistance marker genes in GM foods?
Is post market monitoring of GM foods undertaken?
Do herbicide-tolerant crops have higher chemical residues?
What about the safety of food derived from animals that have eaten GM stockfeed?
Part 3. Labelling of GM Foods
Are GM foods required to be labelled?
Where can I find this information on the label?
Are some foods excluded from mandatory labelling?
What about food purchased in restaurants?
What about unpackaged food?
Part 4. Other Questions
What is gene technology?
What is the purpose of genetic modification?
Is animal cloning a form of genetic modification?
Is it correct that GM peas have been developed that were later found to be allergenic?
Is it true that FSANZ has approved a GM corn that was later found to be unsafe when fed to rats?
Why does FSANZ give food approval to GM crops intended for animal feed?
GM Pollen in honey – is it safe?
Does GM pollen require labelling?