Date: 25/09/2023
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to permit food from a disease-resistant genetically modified (GM) banana.
FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said banana line QCAV-4 was genetically modified to provide resistance to the fungal disease Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 (TR4) also known as Panama disease.
“This is the first whole GM fruit assessed by FSANZ and, if approved, would also be a world-first approval for a GM banana," she said.
Dr Cuthbert said safety assessments were a key part of the approval process for all GM foods.
“The FSANZ assessment for the GM banana considered the specific genetic modification process, potential unintended changes, the nutrient content compared to a non-GM food of its type and any potential allergic or toxic effects in humans ," she said.
“Our safety assessment found no potential public health and safety concerns. The GM banana is as safe as non-GM banana varieties."
Dr Cuthbert said if the application was approved, food derived from this GM banana would be permitted for sale in Australia, including as fresh fruit, dried or frozen banana or banana pulp.
“Food from this banana line would need to be labelled as 'genetically modified' so consumers can make informed choices about the food they eat," she said.
“Most importantly, consumers can be assured all approved GM food has gone through vigorous scientific assessment to ensure it is safe."
To have your say about this application, see our call for comment page. Submissions close at 6pm (Canberra time) 8 November 2023.
The applicant also is seeking a licence for the commercial cultivation of banana line QCAV-4 from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) (see Background below).
What happens to my feedback?
Submissions will be published to our website as soon as possible at the end of the public comment period.
FSANZ will consider all feedback received through this submission process before deciding on whether to approve the application.
FSANZ's decision will be notified to ministers responsible for food regulation who can ask for a review or agree that the standard should become law.
More information:
- How to make a submission
- Read the assessment documents: A1274 – GM Banana QCAV-4
- GM food labelling page
- More about GM food
Media contact:
- 0401 714 265 (Australia)
- +61 401 714 265 (from New Zealand)
- media@foodstandards.gov.au
Background:
Commercial licence assessment by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
The applicant, Queensland University of Technology, is seeking a licence for the commercial cultivation of banana line QCAV-4 from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR).
To provide input during the consultation process about commercial licence application (DIR-199 ), visit the OGTR website for more information.
QUT has stated publicly that, if approved, there are no immediate plans to commercialise the GM banana because Panama disease is contained and being effectively managed within Australia. The GM banana will be used as a backup should that situation change.
Availability of the GM banana in New Zealand
Parties wishing to export / import fresh GM banana to / into New Zealand should seek advice from the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) (email: NewOrganisms@epa.govt.nz) about whether the fresh banana fruit would be considered a new organism.
The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries will be able to provide advice about the biosecurity requirements for New Zealand. Cultivation of banana line QCAV-4 in New Zealand would require an independent assessment and approval from EPA.