Western Australian organic farmer Steve Marsh is suing his neighbour after genetically modified (GM) canola seed is alleged to have contaminated his property in late 2010, leading to the loss of his organic certification. Marsh has alleged that his neighbour’s negligence resulted in the GM contamination of his land. Slater & Gordon Lawyers and the anti-GM fund-raising organisation The Safe Food Foundation are assisting in his in his attempt to seek damages for financial losses. “I am pleased... ...Read more »

FSANZ has called for public comment on a submission by Bayer CropScience to approve foods derived from genetically modified cotton, mostly in the form of oil and linters. The cotton line, GHB119, is protected against feeding damage by caterpillars by a modified gene from Bacillus thuringiensis, a soil bacterium, and is also tolerant to herbicide. Both the new genes have been previously assessed by FSANZ as safe, in other GM products. Under FSANZ regulations, any final food containing the genetically... ...Read more »

Researchers at Purdue University have extended the shelf life of tomatoes by adding a gene from yeast, slowing aging and delaying microbial decay in tomatoes. “We can inhibit the aging of plants and extend the shelf life of fruits by an additional week for tomatoes,” said professor of horticulture Avtar Handa. “This is basic fundamental knowledge that can be applied to other fruits.” The genetically modified tomatoes lasted about eight days longer before showing signs of shriveling,... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has announced that it is considering approving two Monsanto genetically modified grains and a DSM Food Specialties protein engineered enzyme for Australian consumption. Monsanto Australia has requested approval for an insect-protected soybean line, MON 87701, and a drought-tolerant corn, MON 87460. FSANZ has found no safety concerns with the consumption of food obtained from these two grains. The drought-tolerant corn is specifically designed for North... ...Read more »

Western Australian farmers will now be able to plant genetically modified canola crops, after a disallowance motion by the Western Australian Labor Opposition failed last week. The hotly-debated motion was opposed by WA Labor and Greens, and attended by protesters and lobby groups from both sides. Two Liberal Members, South Perth MLA John McGrath and Southern River MLA Peter Abetz, threatened to cross the floor after pressure from their electorates over health and safety concerns. Mr Abetz identified... ...Read more »

Australians remain uneasy about eating genetically modified (GM) foods, according to research from Swinburne University. The University’s fifth National Science and Technology Monitor found most people well informed about GM but still very mistrustful of the institutions that commercialise GM foods. “A major target of public mistrust is Monsanto, the world’s biggest seed company that owns patents on over 90% of all commercial GM soy, corn, canola and cotton crops that are grown,”... ...Read more »

The food sector in the UK has come in for criticism from a research committee for a lack of transparency when it comes to nanotechnology. The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee said that the food industry had “(failed) to be transparent about its research into the uses of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials”, a claim denied by the sector. In their report, Nanotechnologies and Food, the Committee noted that transparency and honesty are key components for ensuring public trust... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has outlined a number of possible changes to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code including the prospect of allowing more raw milk products. The changes under consideration include the approval of genetically modified (GM) maize, cotton and corn, erythrosine as a colouring for icing and a national food safety standard for the production and processing of raw milk products. Food derived from herbicide-tolerant (GM) maize – Application A1021... ...Read more »

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) published findings of a qualitative research project last night, which ascertained current public attitudes to genetically modified (GM) food. The research found different levels of understanding about GM food. “Attitudes to GM food are complex and the risks and benefits of GM food are weighed up differently depending on the factors that underpin views,” the FSA said. The study discovered that those with positive views of GM food believed the potential... ...Read more »

Launched by celebrated chefs Martin Boetz and Margaret Fulton, and Clover Moore MP, Lord Mayor of Sydney as part of the Sydney International Food Festival, the Greenpeace Truefood Guide rates over one thousand of Australia’s top food and beverage brands for the presence of GE ingredients. Since the release of the first Greenpeace Truefood Guide in 2003, more than half of Australia’s top food brands have committed to non-GE policies, with Foster’s, Nestlé, Schweppes and Lindt now... ...Read more »