Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is inviting public input on proposed changes to the definition of genetically modified (GM) foods within the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code).

The proposed changes are part of Proposal P1055 – Definitions for Gene Technology and New Breeding Techniques, which includes a new definition for ‘genetically modified food’. This is the second round of public consultation on the proposal, with feedback from the first round incorporated into the new and revised definitions to make them simpler and clearer.

FSANZ CEO Dr. Sandra Cuthbert emphasized the necessity of updating the Code to keep pace with advancements in genetic modification technologies, collectively referred to as new breeding techniques (NBTs).

“The purpose of the proposed new GM food definition is to clarify, in light of technology developments, what foods are GM foods for Code purposes,” Dr. Cuthbert said. “The proposed new definition will continue to protect public health and safety while providing a clear definition for enforcement purposes, better harmonization with regulatory approaches being adopted around the world, and greater regulatory certainty for industry.”

All GM foods available for sale in Australia and New Zealand must undergo safety assessments by FSANZ and be expressly permitted in the Code, with mandatory labeling for permitted GM foods. This requirement will remain unchanged under the proposed revisions.

FSANZ encourages stakeholders to participate in the consultation process by visiting the call for submissions page. The deadline for submissions is 6pm (AEST) on 10 September 2024.

How to Make a Submission to FSANZ

FSANZ utilizes the Consultation Hub, a digital platform for submissions https://consultations.foodstandards.gov.au/fsanz/p1055/consultation/subpage.2023-12-04.0995462440/ you can submit your comments by clicking on this link.

For each consultation, a survey response form is provided with guidance, drop-down options, and text boxes for your contact details and submission.

All submissions must be made through the Consultation Hub before the deadline. If you need help or encounter issues, contact the Standards Management team via email at Submissions.

What Should Your Submission Include?

1. Preparation: Review the consultation documents such as the call for submissions report, consultation paper, supporting documents, and the application (for applications only).
2. Confidential Information: Clearly mark and separate any confidential information, including commercial details, and provide reasons for requesting confidentiality. Under section 114 of the FSANZ Act, some information cannot be disclosed, such as trade secrets or commercially valuable information that could be compromised by disclosure.
3. Supporting Information: Include relevant information such as affected groups or individuals, data on the proposed change’s impact, relevant technical and scientific evidence, and references.

After Submitting

FSANZ will consider your submission during the assessment process and summarize it in subsequent reports.

Your submission will be published on the Consultation Hub before the Board’s decision on changes to the Food Standards Code unless you provide valid reasons for confidentiality, and FSANZ agrees. Confidential submissions might be released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

If FSANZ disagrees with your confidentiality request, you will have the chance to withdraw your submission before it is published.

Contact details, including names, email and physical addresses, and contact numbers, will not be published. For more details on how FSANZ handles personal information, refer to FSANZ’s Privacy Policy.