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 required in Australia and New Zealand before it can be released into commercial markets in these countries. Once approved and commercialised, the applicant intends to use corn line in conventional breeding with other corns.

“All GM foods undergo a comprehensive premarket safety assessment by FSANZ before being approved in the Food Standards Code,” Mr McCutcheon said. “FSANZ welcomes comments from government agencies, public health professionals, industry and the community on the application.”

The period for submissions closes 18 January 2012.

Amendments made to the Food Standards Code

FSANZ announced an amendment to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to allow food derived from a genetically modified soybean, in relation to Application A1046.

Standard 1.3.1 – Food Additives and Standard 4.5.1 – Wine Production Requirements of the Code was also amended to allow sodium carboxymethylcellulose (sodium CMC) as an additive in wine and sparkling wine, as requested by the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA) on 6 May 2010.

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