Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is proposing an examination of options for primary production and processing requirements for the raw horticultural produce sector. The examination may result in the development of a new standard. The proposal, which will be of particular relevance to those who produce dried fruit and vegetables, is expected to be preliminarily open for public comment between mid-March 2012 and mid-May 2012. Labelling requirements for food for catering purposes and retail... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today called for submissions on an application to change the Food Standards Code to allow for food derived from a corn line genetically modified for protection against insect pests. Commenting on Application A1060, from Syngenta Seeds Pty Ltd, FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said, “The corn line is intended for cultivation in regions of North America and Canada, not in Australia and New Zealand.” He said that regulatory approval is... ...Read more »

Leading Australian scientists claim that the discovery of large, widely dispersed populations of genetically engineered canola growing uncultivated in the US is no cause for concern. A study just published by the online journal PLoS ONE reported on the genetically modified canola growing ‘wild’ in North Dakota. The “escaped” plants were found statewide and accounted for 45% of the total roadside plants sampled in the study. The study’s author, Meredith Schafer from the University... ...Read more »

Scientists from the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG) have produced rice with high enough iron levels to meet daily recommended requirements for iron intake. The ACPFG claims the fortified rice provides an inexpensive and sustainable solution to the micronutrient malnutrition problems that currently plague people in developing countries. Scientists based at the Universities of Adelaide, Melbourne and South Australia, and Flinders University, genetically modified rice to increase... ...Read more »

The Chief Executive of Australia’s leading science agency, the CSIRO, has warned that scientists and food producers must first earn community trust if scientific developments in plant genetics are to improve health and support global food supply. In a statement published today, the CSIRO’s Chief Executive Megan Clark said there is a gap between the concerns of the community and the knowledge of scientists around genetic research. Ms Clark said, “We recognise that the modification of genes... ...Read more »

Early last Thursday, Greenpeace activists whipper-snippered a genetically modified wheat experiment on the outskirts of Canberra. Two women, one of them described as a mother concerned for the health of her family, wore protective clothing and set up a protective cordon before destroying the CSIRO plantation. “This is about the protection of our health, the protection of our environment and the protection of our daily bread,” said Greenpeace Food campaigner Laura Kelly in defence of the sabotage. Her... ...Read more »

The war between manufacturers of infant formula and activist group Greenpeace has taken another step, with industry lobby group the Infant Nutrition Council stating that they are not capable of producing formula without any genetically modified content, and that such a demand is “unrealistic and unworkable” – despite the fact that their products are not accordingly labelled. The statement was made by the Council, which represents a number of baby food manufacturers, including Heinz,... ...Read more »

A senior EU judge has said all food sold in the EU contaminated with even the slightest trace of genetically modified material must have a special regulatory approval. In a formal opinion on a case involving honey contaminated with pollen from Monsanto’s EU-approved MON 810 maize, ECJ advocate general Yves Bot has said “the unintentional presence…even of a minute quantity of pollen…means that such honey must be the subject of an authorisation”. This means that contaminated food... ...Read more »

An independent panel led by former federal Health Minister Neal Blewett delivered the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy 2011 to the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing Catherine King on Friday. Dr Alan Barclay, an accredited practicing dietitian and nutritionist, chief scientific officer for the Glycemic Index Foundation Ltd and head of research at the Australian Diabetes Foundation said that the recommendations are “a mixed bag”. Dr Barclay agreed with the reiteration... ...Read more »

NASAA have confirmed reports that longstanding WA grower, Steve Marsh, has recently been the victim of GM contamination despite his best efforts to avoid it. Following confirmation that the genetically manipulated (GM) canola plants have indeed contaminated Steve Marsh’s certified organic farm from a neighboring property, NASAA has decertified the affected portion of his farm (325 ha’s) until it can be demonstrated that these areas are GM free. For future certification to be regained... ...Read more »