New labelling requirements for

GM foods to take effect in 12 months

The Australia New Zealand Food Authority has announced that mandatory labelling of genetically modified foods, where introduced DNA or protein is present in the final food, will come into force 12 months from today. This follows today's gazettal of amendments to Standard A18 of the Food Standards Code - Food produced using gene technology.

The new standard will come into effect on 7 December 2001, twelve months after gazettal.

At a meeting on 28 July 2000, health ministers from Australia and New Zealand and Australian States and Territories agreed to label all genetically modified foods and now all jurisdictions have agreed to the final standard.

Acting Managing Director of ANZFA, Dr Hugh Baber, said the amended standard was a response to consumer concerns about genetically modified foods and their desire for more information.

Under the amended Standard, food or ingredients labelled 'genetically modified' either contains new genetic material or protein as a result of the genetic modification or has altered characteristics - eg changed nutritional values - compared to the conventional food.

Some flavourings may also be derived from genetically modified organisms, but these are only labelled if they are in a concentration of more than 1 gram per kilogram (0.1%). Food additives and processing aids are not labelled unless the introduced genetic material is present in the final food.

Dr Baber said that claims about the absence of foods produced using gene technology - for example, 'GM-free' ( must be consistent with the provisions of the overarching consumer protection laws in the Trade Practices Act in Australia and the Fair Trading Act in New Zealand as well as food legislation in both countries.

Also, under the new labelling standard, unpackaged GM food - for example, fruit and vegetables - must carry a statement which identifies that the food is genetically modified.

'This statement may appear on the food itself or in connection with the food,' Dr Baber said.

'Food prepared for immediate consumption - for example, in restaurants and take-aways - do not need to have ingredients identified because consumers can ask the serving staff for any necessary information about the food, including its GM status.'

The amended standard can be viewed on the ANZFA website at www.foodstandards.gov.au or www.foodstandards.govt.nz as Standard A18 of the Food Standards Code.

A Compliance Guide to assist businesses in complying with the new labelling requirements in the amended standard is also available from the ANZFA website. This Guide is out for public consultation, with comments sought by early February.

The standard is to be reviewed three years from gazettal.

What the labelling may look like:

Example for single ingredient genetically modified foods:

Soy Flour

Genetically Modified

Soy Flour

From genetically modified soya beans Example for genetically modified food ingredients:

Ingredients: Soy Protein Isolate (genetically modified), Maltodextrin and Vegetable Oil; Food Acid (332), Emulsifier (471), Vegetable Gum (407), Water Added.