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Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn MON95379

Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn MON95379 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow the sale and use of food made from a genetically modified (GM) corn. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said corn line MON95379 was genetically modified to protect it 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. “Our safety assessment found no potential public health and safety concerns with this variety of GM corn. It is as safe as non-GM corn varieties.' A safety assessment is a critical part of the approval process for all GM applications. The safety assessment considers the specific genetic modification process,…

Published 16 September 2021

Dioxins

Dioxins (February 2012) What are dioxins? Dioxins are chemicals produced when household and industrial waste is burned and as by-products from some industrial chemical processes. They persist in the environment for a long time and can get into food but assessments show the amounts are tiny so the risk to our health is minimal. Dioxins also break down in our bodies and we excrete them. Where do dioxins come from? More than 96 per cent of dioxins in the environment come from air emissions. Dioxins then fall to the ground and occur in trace amounts on soil, plant and water surfaces. In Australia, the major sources of dioxin emissions in the air are bushfires and burning agricultural stubble. Plants do not generally absorb dioxins. However, dioxins can enter the food chain when animals eat plants on which…

Published 31 October 2016

Eumarrah Poppy Seeds

Eumarrah Poppy Seeds Product information Eumarrah Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of poppy seeds sold as: Eumarrah Poppy Seeds 250g (see image)Best Before dates 7.10.2023 & 14.10.2023The 250g product has been available for sale at independent food retailers including IGA & direct from Eumarrah stores in TAS. 15kg brown or white bagBatch number PO 024316The 15kg brown or white bag has been available for sale since 2 September 2022 from Grain Grocer in Launceston & Wholesome House in Mowbray.  Various weights sold in bulk (scoop and buy) The poppy seeds have also been displayed unpackaged and available for sale since 2 September 2022 from…

Published 21 November 2022

UPDATE: Basfords International Pty Ltd - Royal Fields Poppy Seeds 250g, 500g and 5kg

UPDATE: Basfords International Pty Ltd - Royal Fields Poppy Seeds 250g, 500g and 5kg   Date Updated: 05 July 2023 Product information Basfoods International Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of Royal Fields Poppy Seeds 250g, 500g and 5kg. The products have been available for sale at Coles and independent food retailers in VIC. The 500g product was also available for sale at Coles in NSW, QLD and SA (see updated recall notice below). Date markings Best Before 25/6/2024 Problem  The recall is due to the potential presence of a chemical (thebaine) due to unsafe poppy seeds entering the food supply.  Food safety hazard Food products containing thebaine may cause illness if consumed. Severe…

Published 5 July 2023

Raw fish dishes

Raw fish dishes Fish is an important part of a nutritious diet. However, eating raw fish can have food safety risks and precautions need to be taken when preparing dishes such as sushi, sashimi, ceviche, gravlax and cold smoked salmon.  Top tips for safe raw fish dishes: Buy the best  Selecting fish that has been commercially prepared and marketed to eat raw is safest.

• Only buy raw fish labelled as sashimi grade from a reputable supplier.
• Do not use fish labelled with cooking instructions for raw fish dishes.
• If you’re not sure, you should cook the fish rather than eating it raw. 

Published 29 July 2025

Call for comment on a processing aid from a genetically modified source

Call for comment on a processing aid from a genetically modified source 06 March 2024 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to vary the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) to allow a new processing aid from a genetically modified (GM) source. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the application seeks approval to permit the use of Triacylglycerol lipase as a processing aid in the manufacture of bakery products and other cereal-based products. “FSANZ found no potential public health and safety concerns with the use of this Triacylglycerol lipase from a GM strain of Trichoderma reesei containing a gene from Thermomyces lanuginosus,” Dr Cuthbert said. “A microbiological assessment concluded that the host organism has a long history of safe use in food and is not…

Published 7 March 2024

Call for comment on new source of human identical milk oligosaccharide in infant formula products 

Call for comment on new source of human identical milk oligosaccharide in infant formula products  Date: 10/10/2023 ​Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit a new genetically modified source organism for the production of a human identical milk oligosaccharide used in infant formula products. 2′-fucosyllactose (2ʹ-FL) is a non-digestible carbohydrate, or oligosaccharide, found naturally in human milk. It can be used as a nutritive substance in infant formula products at levels consistent with those found in human milk.  FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said FSANZ's safety assessment concluded there were no public health and safety concerns associated with the application. “The applicant's 2′-FL is chemically and structurally identical to the naturally…

Published 11 October 2023

Call for comment on new source of human identical milk oligosaccharide in infant formula products

Call for comment on new source of human identical milk oligosaccharide in infant formula products 23 February 2024 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit a new genetically modified source organism for the production of a human identical milk oligosaccharide to be used in infant formula products. 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) is a non-digestible carbohydrate found naturally in human milk. It is used as a nutritive substance in infant formula products at levels consistent with those found in human milk.  FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said FSANZ’s safety assessment concluded there were no public health and safety concerns associated with the application. “The applicant’s 2′-FL is chemically and structurally identical to the naturally occurring substance…

Published 24 February 2024

Toxins in seafood

Toxins in seafood What are they?

• Toxins (poisons) can be present in some shellfish and fish
• These toxins are known as:
  • amnesic shellfish toxin
  • diarrhoetic shellfish toxin
  • neurotoxic shellfish toxin
  • paralytic shellfish toxin
  • ciguatoxin and
  • histamine
• The toxins come from algae that shellfish and fish feed on, or from bacteria naturally present in some fish

• These toxins can cause gastro or neurological illnesses called:
  • amnesic, diarrhoetic, neurotoxic or paralytic shellfish poisoning
  • ciguatera poisoning
  • Scombroid or histamine poisoning
• Severe illness can result in coma,…

  Published 23 December 2020

Nanoparticles and infant formula

Nanoparticles and infant formula Nanoscale materials are not new. Food is naturally composed of nanoscale sugars, amino acids, peptides and proteins, many of which form organised, functional nanostructures. For example, proteins are in the nanoscale size range and milk contains an emulsion of nanoscale fat droplets. Humans, including infants, have consumed these particles in foods throughout history without evidence of adverse health effects related to the materials nanoscale size. On this page

• January 2018
• July 2017

Published 3 August 2018