Breeding techniques and the ANZ Food Standards Code

As products derived from new plant and animal breeding technologies are entering the marketplace, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is keen to ensure that the Food Standards Code reflects community and business expectations.

FSANZ is now seeking feedback on new breeding techniques and current requirements in the code and has released a consultation paper.

FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Mark Booth said the paper looks at the new breeding techniques and how food laws should apply to food derived from them.

“Since Standard 1.5.2 – Food produced using gene technology was first introduced in 1999, a range of new plant and animal breeding techniques have been developed,” Booth said.

“We have been monitoring these techniques and working with experts to understand how foods produced using them should be regulated by food laws. At this stage, we are not proposing any changes to the code. The review is being conducted to ensure that a broad range of issues has been considered before any decision is made to consider varying the code.

“If, after considering all feedback, we decide to raise a proposal to change the code, there would be further consultation with the community.”

The closing date for submissions is 6 pm (Canberra time), 12 April 2018.

More information is available:

• Consultation paper
• How to make a submission

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Budimir Jevtic