Proposal P1055 - Definitions for gene technology and new breeding techniques

P1055 is a proposal to amend the definitions for 'food produced using gene technology' and 'gene technology' in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code).

These definitions determine what foods are classed as genetically modified (GM) food under the Code. Currently, all GM food available for sale in Australia and New Zealand must have been assessed for safety by FSANZ and be expressly permitted and listed in relevant code schedules.

FSANZ is proposing to update the definitions to make them clearer and better able to accommodate food produced by existing, emerging and future genetic technologies. 

First public call for submissions - now closed

In the first of two rounds of public consultation, FSANZ invited interested parties to comment on its proposed approach to:

• revise and expand the process-based definition for 'gene technology' to capture all methods for genetic modification other than conventional breeding; and
• revise the definition for 'food produced using gene technology' to include specific product-based criteria for excluding certain foods from pre-market safety assessment and approval as GM food. Foods that do not meet all relevant exclusion criteria would still require an application to FSANZ.

The consultation period for the first call for submissions was for 8 weeks and closed on 3 December 2021. 

A total of 1736 submissions were received from stakeholders. These submissions can be accessed via the links below. 

In November 2022, FSANZ released a stakeholder feedback summary report which summarises the views and comments expressed by submitters.  

In December 2022, FSANZ released a report on a survey of consumer attitudes towards genetically modified foods and NBTs.  More information and a link to this report can be found below, under 'consumer research on new breeding techniques'.

Next steps 

All submissions received during the submission period will be considered as part of our ongoing assessment. 

First call for submissions - consultation documents

Call for submissions - 7 October 2021 (PDF 290 kb)

Supporting document 1 - Safety Assessment  (PDF 729 kb) 

Supporting document 2 - Safety Assessment Plain English Summary  (PDF 109 kb)

Supporting document 3 - Regulatory approaches and definitions (PDF 171 kb)

Submissions

Businesses, Groups, Organisations (ZIP 35.7 kb)

Private Individuals (ZIP 77.4 mb)

Campaign letter (PDF 65.1 kb)

Stakeholder Feedback Summary Report(PDF 476 kb) 

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Consumer research on new breeding techniques

To supplement the information gained through the consultation process, the following work was produced on consumer attitudes towards NBTs:

Consumer Responses to the Use of NBTs in the Production of Food

A systematic literature review on consumers' awareness, knowledge, risk perceptions and behaviours in relation to the use of NBTs, including genome editing, for food production (July 2021). The review also incorporates insights from the literature on consumer attitudes towards genetic modification more broadly and on the public understanding of science.

• Consumer Responses to the Use of NBTs in the Production of Food: A Systematic Literature Review (PDF 3.53 MB)

Focus groups on consumers' responses to the use of New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) in food production

New empirical research using focus groups to investigate consumer awareness, knowledge, and attitudes to NBTs in Australia and New Zealand. This study also explored public understanding of communication materials as well as the relationship between regulatory oversight and consumer trust in the food supply (July 2021). The results from this work supplement the predominantly international studies identified through the above literature review.

• Focus groups on consumers' responses to the use of New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) in food production (PDF 1.41 MB)

Consumer Survey Report: consumers' perceptions of and attitudes towards genetically modified foods 

A nationally representative survey of consumers' perceptions of and attitudes towards genetically modified foods and NBTs used in food production (December 2022). This survey also explored the links between consumers' confidence and trust in the food supply and attitudes towards genetically modified foods. 

The outcomes of the literature review and focus group research provide valuable context to inform our work on P1055 and will be used to better target our communication and education material.

Background

FSANZ commenced this proposal in early 2020 following completion of the Review of food derived using new breeding techniques.

The review examined how the Code applies to food produced using new breeding techniques (NBTs), diverse genetic modification methods that have been developed over the last decade or so. It recommended amending the Code definitions for 'food produced using gene technology' and 'gene technology' after finding they lack clarity and are not fit for purpose, resulting in uncertainty about assessment and approval requirements for NBT foods. The review also identified the need to regulate NBT foods in a manner that matches the risk they pose. 

In its assessment of P1055, FSANZ has considered what amendments to the definitions are necessary to:

• make them clearer and better able to accommodate food produced by existing, emerging and future genetic technologies, and
• ensure NBT foods are regulated in a manner that matches the risk they pose.

Expert Advisory Group

More information

• Read the P1055 Administrative Assessment Report - 20 February 2020 (PDF 220 kb)
• See our factsheets and videos on GM foods and NBTs