FSANZ news release - excerpts relevant to seed professionals

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today invited individuals and organisations with an interest in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to comment on proposed changes to the Code.

The changes include recommendations to approve the sale of Roquefort cheese made from raw sheep’s milk, food derived from a genetically modified corn and the use of an ice-structuring protein in ice cream and edible ices, and to amend the current requirements for the country of origin labelling of food.

Before changes can be made to the Food Standards Code, FSANZ gives the community two opportunities to provide information or express an opinion on the scientific, public health, economic or social factors involved in making a change.

The FSANZ Board approves changes to the Code primarily to protect public health and safety, but also to ensure that manufacturers supply consumers with appropriate information about the content of a food product and do not deceive consumers by misleading advertising.

Assessment reports for the items listed below can be found on the FSANZ website at www.foodstandards.gov.au.

Comments should reach FSANZ by Wednesday 4 May 2005.

Food derived from insect-protected, herbicide–tolerant corn
(Application A543 – Draft Assessment)

Dow AgroSciences has applied to FSANZ seeking approval for food derived from insect-protected, glufosinate ammonium-tolerant corn line DAS-59122-7. This is a genetically modified corn and, as such, requires FSANZ to conduct a pre-market safety assessment before it can be sold in Australia and New Zealand.

FSANZ’s safety assessment has not identified any public health or safety issues connected with this application. It has determined that, in terms of safety for human consumption and nutritional adequacy, this GM corn is equivalent to food from other commercially available corn varieties. Individuals and organisations with an interest in GM matters may view the scientific evaluation at www.foodstandards.gov.au. Comments are welcomed.