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Media Statement
Media Statement Australia’s food standards agency has welcomed the ACCC initiating inquiries into claims raised on the recent ABC Four Corners program Duped. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) sets food standards for both countries which are enforced by national, state and territory food regulators. The ACCC enforces the Australian Consumer Law, alongside state and territory consumer protection regulators, including specific laws regarding country of origin labelling for food. The ACCC stated on Friday it was looking into Four Corners’ food claims. When making the announcement, the ACCC emphasised the importance of consumer confidence in the truth and accuracy of food labelling,…
Published 11 August 2026
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 to permit the use of a genetically modified processing aid subtilisin
Call for comment to permit the use of a genetically modified processing aid subtilisin Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for public comment on an application to permit the use of a protein engineered variant of the enzyme subtilisin as a processing aid to hydrolyse proteins in foods. FSANZ CEO Sandra Cuthbert said the application seeks approval to permit the use of a protein engineered variant of the enzyme subtilisin from a genetically modified strain of Bacillus subtilis. This strain contains the subtilisin gene from Bacillus clausii as a processing aid for hydrolysing proteins in food. “A microbiological assessment concluded that the host organisms have a long history of safe use in food and is not pathogenic or toxigenic. A toxicological assessment combined with a dietary exposure assessment…
Published 31 January 2024
Call for comment on food made from a new type of GM soybean line
Call for comment on food made from a new type of GM soybean line Date: 30/10/2023 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) soybean. FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said soybean line MON94313 was genetically modified to provide it with herbicide tolerance. “If approved, food made from this type of GM soybean could be imported into Australia and New Zealand in the form of soybean oil, milk, flour, meal, protein isolates and other processed products," Dr Cuthbert said. “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 humans. “FSANZ found no potential public health and safety concerns with this GM soybean. It is as safe as non-GM…
Published 31 October 2023
Food recalls requirements
Food recalls requirements If you're a food manufacturer, wholesaler or importer it's important to know how to recall unsafe food as quickly as possible to avoid people becoming sick or injured from eating it. What are the requirements? Under Standard 3.2.2 - Food Safety Practices and General Requirements, if you're a food manufacturer, wholesale supplier or importer, you must be able to recall unsafe food. That means your business needs to: have a written recall plan in place use the plan if a recall is needed show the plan to an authorised officer if asked. All food businesses must make sure that any recalled food on their premises is clearly identified and held separate from other food until it is dealt with. Be prepared As a food manufacturer, wholesale supplier or importer you need to have a written recall…
Published 30 September 2025
Genetically modified foods
Genetically modified foods All genetically modified (GM) foods intended for sale in Australia and New Zealand must undergo a safety assessment by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). FSANZ will not approve a GM food unless it is safe to eat. Read more about GM foods. In this section General information about GM foods…
Published 21 October 2025
Call for comment on food made from a new type of GM corn line
Call for comment on food made from a new type of GM corn line 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 DAS1131 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 humans,” Dr Cuthbert said. “FSANZ…
Published 16 December 2023
MSG in food
MSG in food In 1908, a Japanese chemistry professor determined that monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) was responsible for the characteristic meaty or savoury taste of the broth of dried bonito and Japanese seaweed. Since then, various salts of glutamic acid including MSG (all of which are also known as 'glutamates') have been commercially produced and deliberately added to food as a flavour enhancer. Glutamates also occur naturally in almost all foods, including meat, fish, vegetables and mushrooms. Even breast milk contains naturally occurring glutamate. In general, protein-rich foods such as meat contain large amounts of bound glutamate, whereas vegetables and fruits (especially peas, tomatoes, and potatoes) and mushrooms tend to contain high levels of free glutamate. Certain cheeses, such as Parmesan, also…
Published 17 October 2017
Food safety supervisor
Food safety supervisor Food service, caterer and related retail businesses in Australia need to meet food safety supervisor requirements that came in December 2023. What are the requirements? Under Standard 3.2.2A - 11, category one and two businesses must: appoint a certified food safety supervisor (FSS) before engaging in a 'prescribed activity' the certificate must be from either a registered training organisation or an organisation recognised by the relevant food regulator the certificate must have been obtained within the past 5 years ensure that the FSS is reasonably available to advise and supervise each food handler engaged in that prescribed activity. Prescribed activities involve handling…
Published 1 October 2025
Statement on genetically modified banana application
Statement on genetically modified banana application Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has commenced its assessment of an application from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to permit food from a disease-resistant genetically modified (GM) banana. Banana line QCAV-4, modified to provide resistance to Panama disease TR4, is the first whole GM fruit submitted to FSANZ for assessment and approval. QUT is concurrently seeking food approval for the banana fruit from FSANZ and a licence for the commercial cultivation of the GM banana plant from the Gene Technology Regulator. Assessment of application A1274 - Food derived from disease-resistant banana line…
Published 12 May 2023