FSANZ Receives Submissions for GM Soybeans and Rice

12/12/06 Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released its plans for the latest amendments to the Food Standards Code, including approval of food from GM varieties of soybean and rice, permission to increase the amount of water used in winemaking, labelling requirements for catered and delivered meals, and a new national food safety standard for the egg industry.

The Food Standards Code contains regulations – called food standards – that must be complied with by food manufacturers and producers. These regulations change from time to time, usually triggered by an application from an individual or organisation, or when FSANZ itself identifies the need to make a change.
 
The ministerial council responsible for oversight of the food regulatory system in Australia and New Zealand can also request changes to the Code, the most recent being requests for FSANZ to develop standards for the mandatory fortification of food with folic acid and with iodine.
 
Submissions on the proposed amendments should be in the hands of FSANZ by 7 February 2007, except for the new primary production and processing standard for eggs and egg products, which is open until 24 February 2007.
 
Merck Eprova AG has applied for permission to use L-5-methyl tetrahydrofolate, calcium salt (MTHF, calcium) as an alternative vitamin form of folate in any foods where addition of folate or voluntary fortification is currently permitted in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.  The applicant claims that MTHF, calcium is nutritionally preferable because it is the form of folate that is normally present in the body, naturally present in foods and unlikely to mask the clinical symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency.  We seek views on whether or not we should proceed with this application.
 
Fortification of food with iron is only permitted if the iron is in one of the 16 forms that are identified in the Code.  Ferric sodium EDTA is not an approved form.  Azko Nobel Pty Ltd has requested that ferric sodium EDTA be approved for use in the general food supply.  The applicant claims that ferric sodium EDTA is not only more bio-available than other permitted forms of iron, but also has improved taste properties and stability.  The views of potential stakeholders are sought.
 
Lanxess Deutschland GmbH (formerly Bayer Chemicals AG) is requesting a change to the Code that would see dimethyl dicarbonate regulated as a processing aid instead of, at present, as a food additive. If approved, there would be no requirement to include dimethyl dicarbonate in the ingredient list on the label of a food containing the chemical.  Dimethyl dicarbonate is currently used as a preservative in fruit and vegetable juices and juice products, water-based flavoured drinks and wine, including sparkling and fortified wines. 
 
FSANZ have received an application from Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd to approve food derived from genetically modified (GM) herbicide-tolerant rice line LLRICE62.  GM crops cannot be used in the food supply unless FSANZ has assessed their safety and approved their use for this purpose.  If we proceed with this application, we will carry out a safety assessment, including an examination of the potential toxicity and allergenicity of the novel protein.  We welcome the views of interested parties.
 
Monsanto Australia Ltd has applied to FSANZ for approval of food derived from a genetically modified soybean, MON 89788, which is tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate.  We have already approved an earlier version of glyphosate-tolerant soybean.  Australia and New Zealand import a considerable quantity of soybean and soybean products from the United States, a key market for the production of MON 89788 soybeans.  It is therefore likely that, if approved, such imports will include MON 89788. 

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has applied to FSANZ seeking to amend maximum residue limits (MRLs) for a number of chemicals in the Code. The variations sought in A586 relate to a number of non-antibiotic agricultural and veterinary chemicals. The variation sought in A587 relates to an existing permission for the antibiotic oxytetracycline. We have reviewed the estimated dietary exposure assessments for these applications and have determined that the residues associated with the proposed MRLs do not present any public health and safety concerns.
 
The Winemakers’ Federation of Australia is seeking permission to increase the amount of water that may be added to wine from 30 to 70 millilitres per litre, but to include the proviso that this level is only permitted where the addition is ‘in conformance with good manufacturing practice’.  The applicant claims that this amendment would remove the potential for non-compliance and retain a maximum prescribed limit to prevent deliberate dilution. 
 
Palatinit GmbH has asked FSANZ to approve the use of isomaltulose as a novel food.  Novel foods are non-traditional foods where there is insufficient evidence of safe human consumption in the community.  They must undergo a pre-market safety assessment by FSANZ before they can be sold in Australia or New Zealand.  Isomaltulose is a nutritive sweetener that is digested more slowly than sucrose.  The applicant claims it can be used as a total or partial replacement for sucrose in certain food products. We intend to recommend its approval.