FSANZ convenes workshop to consider the safety assessment of GM foods
(14 June 2007)
FSANZ has convened an expert panel to develop guidance and recommendations on the role animal feeding studies can play in the safety assessment of whole GM foods. The panel includes scientists with expertise in plant biology, toxicology, medical and veterinary science, and risk assessment. It will meet on 15 June 2007 to discuss the issues around safety testing of whole GM foods. FSANZ will consider recommendations from the panel when reviewing its approach to the safety assessment of GM foods.
Background
FSANZ is responsible for conducting safety assessments of all GM foods prior to approval for sale in Australia and New Zealand. Since 2000, we have approved 33 different GM foods, including modifications of corn, cottonseed (the oil of which is edible), canola, soy, sugar beet and potato.
Our process for assessing the safety of GM foods is based on concepts and principles developed by international organisations that focus on a comparison of the GM food with the commonly eaten conventional form, from a molecular, toxicological, nutritional and compositional point of view. The assessment focuses on the new gene product, including the intentional and unintentional effects of the genetic modification, and examines any compositional changes, including whether the genetic modification has altered the potential allergenicity and toxicity of the food. This comparative analysis is regarded by the World Health Organization (WHO)/Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission as the most practical approach for assessing the safety of a GM food.
At present, feeding studies in animals are generally not required to be submitted as part of an application for a GM food approval. While we (and other national food regulators) generally assess the safety of substances added to food (food additives and processing aids) or substances used in food production (agricultural and veterinary chemicals) through long-term studies in animals fed high levels of these chemicals, there are difficulties in transferring these tests to the assessment of whole foods.
Long-term feeding studies workshop
FSANZ regularly reviews its procedures for safety assessment to ensure that recent scientific and regulatory developments are reflected in the process. We are hosting the workshop on the role of animal feeding studies in the safety assessment of whole GM foods as part of this review.
The expert panel will be chaired by Professor Brian Priestly, head of the Australian Centre for Human Health Risk Assessment, Monash University.
The panel includes Dr Ib Knudsen, recently retired Chief Adviser in Food Safety and Toxicology in the Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research. Dr Knudsen coordinated EC-funded research aimed at developing and validating sensitive and specific methods to assess the safety of GM foods, particularly using 90-day rodent feeding studies. The research findings were published earlier this year. Dr Knudsen will present the findings to the panel and discuss the present strengths and weaknesses of the rodent feeding model and potential for improvement.
The report and recommendations of the expert panel will be made available on the FSANZ website.