FSANZ considers approving two GM Foods

FOOD Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released a consultation document for two applications to approve the sale of genetically modified (GM) foods in Australia and New Zealand and one for a processing aid obtained from a GM source. All three applications require a pre-market safety assessment by FSANZ before they can be approved. They will only be approved if the scientific evidence shows that they are safe for human consumption. The applications being considered are for foods derived from insect-protected soybean and drought-tolerant corn, respectively, and an engineered enzyme produced from a strain of Aspergillus niger. Submissions for the soybean (A1035) from Monsanto Australia Ltd and the lipase enzyme (A1036) from DSM Food Specialties close on 18 May 2010, whilst that for the GM corn (A1029) from Monsanto Australia Ltd closes on 4 May 2010. FSANZ welcomes public comment from industry, public health professionals, government agencies and consumers. Details of all the assessments above can be found at www.foodstandards.gov.au.Ni?os