Australia and New Zealand
March 21, 2007
The bi-national food agency
Food Standards
Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today announced that it is
contemplating changes to the Australia New Zealand Food
Standards Code– regulations that cover the content, labelling,
handling and sale of food in the two countries.
Among the issues under consideration are the use of
cholesterol-lowering phytosterols in a low-fat yoghurt
mini-drink, a new genetically modified corn variety, and new
processing aids for beer production and wine.
Consumers, public health professionals, government agencies, the
food industry and other interested parties can access the
background reports to these issues from FSANZ at
www.foodstandards.gov.au and have until 2 May 2007 to comment on
the work.
Food derived from insect-protected corn MON 89034
(Application A595 – Initial Assessment)
Monsanto Australia Ltd
wants FSANZ to amend the Food Standard Code to approve food
derived from a genetically modified (GM) corn, MON 89034,
that has been modified to provide protection against major
insect pests. Protection is conferred by expression of two
insecticidal proteins, Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 in the corn
crop. All GM foods must undergo a pre-market safety
assessment before they can be sold in Australia and New
Zealand. We hope public discussion will assist us to
identify affected parties and the relevant issues necessary
to complete assessment of the application.
Application A595 – Food derived from Insect-protected corn
MON 89034 (PDF)
Submissions: FSANZ welcomes public
comment from industry, public health professionals, government
agencies and consumers. Details of all the assessments above can
be found on
http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/standardsdevelopment/documentsforpublicco868.cfm
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