FSANZ calls for comment on infant formula production method

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for comment on an application to allow a new production method for a permitted oligosaccharide added to infant formula products.

The application is seeking to permit the voluntary addition of the oligosaccharide 2′fucosyllactose (2′-FL) produced by microbial fermentation using a new genetically modified (GM) production strain, said FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Mark Booth.

“Currently, the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code includes permissions for 2′-FL to be used as a nutritive substance in infant formula products at a maximum permitted level consistent with levels found in mature human milk,” he said.

This permission does not apply to the applicant’s 2′-FL, which has a different source and specifications. As such, a pre-market assessment of that 2′-FL was required.

In line with current Code permissions, FSANZ is proposing to permit the voluntary addition of the applicant’s 2′-FL to infant formula products at maximum levels of 2.4 g/L.

“FSANZ's safety and risk assessment found no safety concerns with the addition of this particular 2′-FL to infant formula products at the level requested, or at the higher level permitted in the Code," Booth said.

FSANZ previously approved 2′-FL produced by microbial fermentation of a different GM production strain under application A1155 2′-FL and LNnT in infant formula and other products.

FSANZ will consider all submissions before a final decision is made. All FSANZ decisions on applications are notified to ministers responsible for food regulation who can ask for a review or agree that the standard should become law.

Interested parties are invited to have their say on the draft variation by 6 pm (AEST) 19 August.

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