FSANZ calling for comment on genetically modified soybean

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released a call for public comment on an application to approve a genetically modified (GM) soybean. The soybean has been genetically modified to be resistant to a range of pests and a herbicide, and may be used in a range of products including soy flour, vegetable oils, and plant-based dairy and meat products.

“Before any GM food can be sold as a food in Australia and New Zealand, it must undergo a comprehensive pre-market safety assessment. The safety assessment looks at a range of factors, including any allergy risks or other unintended changes as a result of the genetic modification to ensure it is safe. Our safety assessment found there are no public health or safety risks from the GM soybean and that it is as safe as food derived from conventional soybeans. We have determined that these types of products, if approved, must be labelled as ‘genetically modified’ if there is novel DNA or protein present in the final food,” said Mark Booth, FSANZ CEO.

Information about the genetically modified soybean, and a guideline for how to make a submission, can be accessed through the FSANZ website. The period for comment will close at 6.00 pm (Canberra time) on Tuesday, 9 June 2020 — this has been extended from the regular six-week consultation period to give stakeholders more time to have their say, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. All FSANZ decisions are notified to ministers responsible for food regulation, who can request a review of the decision.

Stakeholders experiencing difficulty meeting this deadline can contact standards.management@foodstandards.gov.au.

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