Genetically Modified Foods

A new food standard has been produced for genetically modified (GM) foods by ANZFSC (Australian New Zealand Food Safety Council, formerly called ANZFA), to take effect in December 2001. In accordance with the new standard, all GM foods will be required to be assessed and approved before sale and use. Labels are required if: they contain novel DNA and/or novel protein in the final food the food has altered characteristics But food won't be labelled if Its highly refined, so there's no modified DNA or protein in the final product. For example, oil made from GM corn won't be labelled. GM modified processing aids and additives are used, but there's no modified DNA or protein left in the final food. GM modified flavours are used and they make up less than 0.1% of the final food It's prepared at the point of sale i.e takeaway and restaurant food <1% unintended GM product Under the new laws, a manufacturer will not be penalised if an ingredient was found to contain up to 1% of unintended GM product, as long as they have followed the principle of "due dilligence and verifiable documentation or a testing program". ANZFSC has approved 2 GM foods: - Roundup Ready soy (e.g soy milk, soy flour, soy used in many commercial products like chocolate, crisps, margarine, mayonnaise, biscuits, bread) - Ingard Cotton (e.g cotton seed oil/fat used for frying by fast food outlets, in mayonnaise, salad dressings), which are already in food on sale in Australia following interim approval given in 1999. GM corn hasn't been approved for farming in Australia, but may have inadvertently entered the Australian market in imported foods. GM tomatoes are not grown in Australia, but may have inadvertently entered the Australian market in imported foods. Cow's Milk - Bovine Somatotropin/Growth Hormone (BST) produced by GM bacteria is not used in Australia. BST increases milk production by cows by 10-20%, but consumption of BST cow's milk has been linked to breast and prostate cancer in humans. There may be BST milk in products, such as cheese, imported from the US. To read more about GM foods and safety issues visit the Choice website.

 

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