FSANZ INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT ON LATEST CHANGES TO THE FOOD CODE
(excerpts relevant to seed professionals)

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today released its plans for the latest amendments to the Food Standards Code, including approval of food from GM varieties of soybean and rice, permission to increase the amount of water used in winemaking, labelling requirements for catered and delivered meals, and a new national food safety standard for the egg industry.

The Food Standards Code contains regulations – called food standards – that must be complied with by food manufacturers and producers.

These regulations change from time to time, usually triggered by an application from an individual or organisation, or when FSANZ itself identifies the need to make a change.

The ministerial council responsible for oversight of the food regulatory system in Australia and New Zealand can also request changes to the Code, the most recent being requests for FSANZ to develop standards for the mandatory fortification of food with folic acid and with iodine.

Submissions on the proposed amendments should be in the hands of FSANZ by 7 February 2007, except for the new primary production and processing standard for eggs and egg products, which is open until 24 February 2007.

Food derived from glufosinate ammonium-tolerant rice LLRICE62
(Application A589 – Initial Assessment)
We have received an application from Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd to approve food derived from genetically modified (GM) herbicide-tolerant rice line LLRICE62. GM crops cannot be used in the food supply unless FSANZ has assessed their safety and approved their use for this purpose. If we proceed with this application, we will carry out a safety assessment, including an examination of the potential toxicity and allergenicity of the novel protein. We welcome the views of interested parties.

Food derived from glyphosate-tolerant soybean MON 89788
(Application A592 – Initial Assessment)
Monsanto Australia Ltd has applied to FSANZ for approval of food derived from a genetically modified soybean, MON 89788, which is tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate. We have already approved an earlier version of glyphosate-tolerant soybean. Australia and New Zealand import a considerable quantity of soybean and soybean products from the United States, a key market for the production of MON 89788 soybeans. It is therefore likely that, if approved, such imports will include MON 89788.

Submissions: FSANZ welcomes public comment from industry, public health professionals, government agencies and consumers. Details of all the assessments above can be found on www.foodstandards.gov.au.