Food standards regulator proposes genetically modified definition update

Australia Broadcast Center

5 days ago

As food companies welcome a proposal to alter the definition of genetic modification in the Food Standards Code, organic producers fear the change could "mislead" the public.
Australia's food regulator, Food Standards for Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), has proposed a change that would allow some foods produced using gene editing techniques to avoid being labelled as genetically modified.
Currently, food defined as genetically modified is subject to strict regulations and restrictions, making it difficult for food tech companies to get new products to market.
Under the proposed change, food that has been gene edited would not be subject to the same rules, unless "novel DNA" has been introduced.
FSANZ defines novel DNA as DNA which, as a result of the use of gene editing, is different in chemical sequence or structure.
General manager of public health at FSANZ Christel Leemhuis said the definition change would "remove ambiguity" for businesses and consumers.
"The new definition will … improve clarity and predictability for businesses, regulators and consumers, while continuing to protect public health and safety," Ms Leemhuis said.
"[The current definition] is outdated and doesn't reflect the new technologies in the market."
Ms Leemhuis said an example of what would get through under the definition change were cases where gene editing had been used to remove a gene from corn to change its starch content.
"It replicates a change that can occur naturally but does it in a more targeted and efficient way," said Ms Leemhuis.
Ms Leemhuis said anything with "novel DNA" would still be subject to the same standards for genetically modified food which apply now.
CropLife Australia CEO Matthew Cossey said the change would bring Australian standards in line with those of global trading partners, such as the US and Canada, and open the doors for new technology.
"You're not introducing a different or foreign gene, you're simply doing what we've done through traditional breeding … with no difference except in precision and time," Mr Cossey said.
Croplife Australia represents innovators, developers, manufacturers, formulators and registrants of crop protection and ag-biotechnology products.
Mr Cossey said Australia was lagging behind the rest of the world because the current definition made it "too difficult" to bring new products to market.
"The system is antiquated and at the moment you're capturing things that just aren't [GM]," he said.
"[Such as] Arctic apples and a range of other products that aren't in the Australian market."
The Canadian product was developed through gene editing, to prevent browning when sliced or bruised.
Mr Cossey said allergies and other health issues could also be better addressed under the change.
"Things like gluten allergy could be addressed here [and] the health benefits are one of the most exciting areas in terms of the [new breeding techniques]," he said.
Peak industry body Australian Organic Limited said the change would be "misleading" to the general public.
Operations and technical manager Josefine Pettersson said some products created with new breeding techniques like gene editing would not require any labelling, traceability or testing prior to entering the consumer food market.
Ms Pettersson said the change to the definition would mean products like purple tomatoes, which are currently being assessed by the regulator, would not need approval to go to market.
"They would just be automatically approved because they are a mutation and genetic editing of the same species, tomato DNA," she said.
Ms Pettersson said the group was also concerned it would not be mandatory to disclose if products had a genetically modified food in the ingredients list, but Mr Cossey rejected that.
"GM foods still have mandatory labelling requirements, all GM foods will continue to have that in Australia," he said.
FSANZ said consumers would still have information to ensure informed choice.
Food ministers from Australia and New Zealand have until August 3 to consider FSANZ's change definition.