Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) calls for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow food from a new type of genetically modified corn line to be sold in Australia and New Zealand.

FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the corn line has been genetically modified to increase yield and be resistant to a herbicide (glufosinate).

“When assessing any Applications to allow new foods or ingredients to be sold in Australia and New Zealand, the safety and health of consumers is at the centre of our decision making process.

“FSANZ undertook a comprehensive safety assessment which looked at the intended and unintended changes to the food, including potential toxicity and allergenicity of any new proteins.

“We found that corn derived from this GM line is as safe as traditional non-GM corn,” Mr Booth said.

If approved, this variety of GM corn is intended to be used in products such as starch, oil and high fructose corn syrup (sweeteners).

Any foods made from this product must be labelled as ‘genetically modified’ where novel DNA and/or protein is present in the final food.