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Call for comment on food made from a new type of genetically modified corn
Call for comment on food made from a new type of genetically modified corn Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the sale and use of food made from a new genetically modified (GM) corn. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said corn line DP910521 was genetically modified to provide it with herbicide tolerance and protection from insect pests. “If approved, food made from this type of GM corn could be imported into Australia and New Zealand in the form of starch, grits, meal, flour, oil and sweetener," Dr Cuthbert said. She said safety assessments are a key part of the approval process for all GM foods. “Our safety assessment considered the specific genetic modification process, the nutrient content compared to a non-GM food of its type, and any potential allergic or toxic effects in…
Published 25 January 2024
Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn
Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow the sale of food in Australia and New Zealand from a genetically modified (GM) corn. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the corn line (DP23211) has been genetically modified to give the plant the ability to protect itself from the herbicide glufosinate and the insect pest, corn rootworm. “If approved, this type of GM corn could be used to make starch, grits, meal, flour, oil and sweetener. “When assessing this application, our safety assessment is a critical part of the approval process. “We looked at key safety aspects including the process used to transfer the gene into the plant, potential unintended changes, the nutritional content compared to non-GM corn and any potential allergic or toxic…
Published 1 October 2020
Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn
Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow food from a new type of genetically modified corn line to be sold in Australia and New Zealand. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the corn line has been genetically modified to increase yield and be resistant to a herbicide (glufosinate). “When assessing any Applications to allow new foods or ingredients to be sold in Australia and New Zealand, the safety and health of consumers is at the centre of our decision making process. “FSANZ undertook a comprehensive safety assessment which looked at the intended and unintended changes to the food, including potential toxicity and allergenicity of any new proteins. “We found that corn derived from this GM line is as safe as traditional non-GM…
Published 6 August 2020
Nitrates and nitrites
Nitrates and nitrites (September 2011) Nitrates and nitrites occur naturally in plant foods as part of the nitrogen cycle between air, land and water environments. Most of our dietary exposure to nitrates and nitrites is through fruit and vegetables. Eating fruit and vegetables is widely recommended due to the strong evidence of beneficial health effects against a range of diseases. Nitrates and nitrites have also been used as food additives in cured meats and some cheeses for many years, primarily to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Adding nitrites or nitrates improves the microbiological safety of these foods and extends their safe shelf life. In the past, some concerns have been raised about possible health risks associated with nitrates and nitrites in foods. To estimate Australians'…
Published 10 May 2018
Call for comment on proposed changes to residue limits for agricultural and veterinary chemicals
Call for comment on proposed changes to residue limits for agricultural and veterinary chemicals Date: 23/08/2023 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today released its annual call for comment on proposed changes to Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for nominated agricultural and veterinary chemicals. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said FSANZ is considering requests to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to align 127 chemicals with limits set by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, Codex Alimentarius Commission, and other international food standards agencies. “As part of an annual harmonisation process, FSANZ will add or amend an MRL, only if the results of our internationally-benchmarked dietary exposure assessments find there are no public health and safety concerns," Dr Cuthbert said. She said the proposed…
Published 23 August 2023
Update on national recall of poppy seeds
Update on national recall of poppy seeds Australian food authorities today announced preliminary findings on the cause of contamination which led to a national recall of poppy seeds. While investigations are ongoing, it has been confirmed a batch of poppy seeds not intended for food use and containing high levels of thebaine entered the supply chain. Thebaine is a natural chemical found in poppy seeds which can be toxic in high concentrations. A total of 37 cases of illness were reported nationally among people who consumed large amounts of poppy seeds. The national recall of several brands was successful in removing affected products from the market. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) announced the…
Published 15 December 2022
Call for comment on an urgent proposal to prohibit the retail sale of pure and highly concentrated caffeine products
Call for comment on an urgent proposal to prohibit the retail sale of pure and highly concentrated caffeine products Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for public comment on an urgent Proposal to prohibit the retail sale of pure and highly concentrated caffeine food products in Australia and New Zealand. The proposal follows a review conducted by FSANZ in August 2019 which found the availability of pure caffeine for retail sale poses an unacceptably high risk to consumers, and should be prohibited. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the urgent proposal reflects a significant amount of work, including a thorough risk assessment carried out by FSANZ over the past few months. “Our risk assessment confirmed pure or highly purified forms of caffeine pose an unacceptably…
Published 23 March 2021
Call for comment - new source for an enzyme processing aid
Call for comment - new source for an enzyme processing aid Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow an existing enzyme processing aid to be produced from a new microbial source. FSANZ interim CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the enzyme beta-fructofuranosidase has a long history of safe use and is already approved to be sourced from other microorganisms. “The applicant is seeking approval to produce the enzyme from a strain of bacterium known as Aspergillus fijiensis,' Dr Cuthbert said. “FSANZ's safety assessment found no health and safety concerns for Australian and New Zealand consumers.' If approved, the enzyme would be used as a processing aid to perform any technological purpose in the manufacture of any food, in accordance with the Australia New…
Published 4 November 2021
Call for comment on use of a nutritive substance in infant formula
Call for comment on use of a nutritive substance in infant formula Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the use of a nutritive substance in infant formula products. Bovine milk fat globule membrane-enriched whey protein concentrate (MFGM-WPC) contains lipids and proteins found in both human and cow milk, which support healthy infant development. The application proposes using MFGM-WPC as a source of phospholipids in formulas and FSANZ has found it sufficiently similar to human milk for this purpose. MFGM-WPC offers potential health benefits, such as anti-pathogenic effects, immune support and gut microbiome development. FSANZ’s safety assessment concluded MFGM-WPC poses no safety risk to infants. While breastfeeding is recommended, a safe and nutritious substitute for breast milk is…
Published 12 December 2024
Call for comment on a new source for an enzyme processing aid
Call for comment on a new source for an enzyme processing aid Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow an existing enzyme processing aid to be produced from a new genetically-modified (GM) microbial source. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the enzyme glucoamylase has a long history of safe use and is already approved to be sourced from other microorganisms. “The applicant is seeking approval to produce the enzyme from a strain of fungus known as Aspergillus niger,' Dr Cuthbert said. “FSANZ's safety assessment found no health and safety concerns for Australian and New Zealand consumers.' If approved, the enzyme could be used as a processing aid in starch processing and potable alcohol production, in accordance with the Australia New…
Published 27 May 2022