FSANZ calls for comments on GM wheat strain

Food Standards Australia New Zealand is calling for comments regarding an application to allow food made from a strain of genetically modified wheat. If the application is approved, foods made with this wheat would be allowed to be imported and sold in Australia and New Zealand.

The safety assessment of the GM wheat, known as HB4 wheat, found that it presented no potential public health or safety issues.

The HB4 wheat has been modified with a sunflower gene that can see the crop’s yield increase under environmental stress along with a tolerance for glufosinate-based herbicides. This would mean the wheat would retain regular yields when exposed to these environmental stresses, such as drought.

HB4 is already approved for use in Argentina, and if accepted for Australia it could be used in flour, bread and other baked goods. The wheat would not be allowed to be grown in the country under this application.

To submit a comment, visit this page. More information about the HB4 wheat application can be found here.

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