Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions on an application to allow food derived from a genetically modified corn line.
FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said the corn line had been genetically modified to be tolerant to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium, and for protection against common corn pests.
“FSANZ has completed its safety assessment on this application and found there were no potential public health or safety concerns,” McCutcheon said.
“FSANZ has determined that food derived from this corn line is as safe for human consumption as food derived from conventional corn cultivars.”
FSANZ has also assessed an application to permit the voluntary fortification of breakfast cereals with Vitamin D.
The application, made by DSM Nutritional Products Australia was to permit a maximum of 2.5 µg per normal serving of breakfast cereals. FSANZ approved the draft variation on 20 May 2015 and the Australian and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation was notified of the decision on 1 June 2015.
All FSANZ decisions on standards are notified to ministers responsible for food regulation. The ministers can decide to adopt, amend, or reject standards or they can ask for a review.