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Call for comment on an enzyme processing aid

Call for comment on an enzyme processing aid Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow an existing enzyme processing aid to be produced from a new source in the Food Standards Code. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the applicant is seeking approval to produce the enzyme - beta-amylase, from soybeans. “If approved, the processing aid will be used in the production of maltose syrup (a type of sweetener that is added to food). “After undertaking a risk assessment, we found no safety concerns from using this new source of beta-amylase which has a long history of safe use. “As this processing aid will be used at low levels, we found it is either not present in the final food or present in insignificant quantities,” Mr Booth said. To have your say, see our…

Published 27 October 2020

Call for comment for food from herbicide-tolerant canola

Call for comment for food from herbicide-tolerant canola Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow food from a genetically modified (GM) canola. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the canola (MON94100) has been genetically modified to be protected from the herbicide dicamba. 'This type of canola is primarily used to produce oil which would be manufactured overseas and imported into Australia and New Zealand. 'Other processed foods such as canola meal may also potentially be imported,' Mr Booth said. The application is the first to be accepted under a safety assessment sharing arrangement between FSANZ and Health Canada. 'The new arrangement involves the joint preparation and sharing of a single food safety assessment which is then used by each agency in making their own separate and…

Published 19 January 2021

Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn

Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow the sale of food in Australia and New Zealand from a genetically modified (GM) corn. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the corn line (DP23211) has been genetically modified to give the plant the ability to protect itself from the herbicide glufosinate and the insect pest, corn rootworm. “If approved, this type of GM corn could be used to make starch, grits, meal, flour, oil and sweetener.  “When assessing this application, our safety assessment is a critical part of the approval process. “We looked at key safety aspects including the process used to transfer the gene into the plant, potential unintended changes, the nutritional content compared to non-GM corn and any potential allergic or toxic…

Published 1 October 2020

Call for comment on new processing aid

Call for comment on new processing aid Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow an already approved enzyme processing aid to be produced from a new genetically modified (GM) source. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the enzyme (subtilisin) is derived from a GM strain of Bacillus licheniformis. 'This microorganism has a long history of safe use and is already approved as a source microorganism in the Food Standards Code. “If approved, the enzyme would be used as a processing aid in the production of potable alcohol. “We have undertaken a safety assessment and found that there are no health and safety concerns,' Mr Booth said. To have your say, see our call for comment page. Submissions closes at 6pm (Canberra time) 27 January 2021. What happens with my feedback? Submissions will be…

Published 3 December 2020

Call for comment - new source for an enzyme processing aid

Call for comment - new source for an enzyme processing aid Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow an existing enzyme processing aid to be produced from a new microbial source. FSANZ interim CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the enzyme beta-fructofuranosidase has a long history of safe use and is already approved to be sourced from other microorganisms. “The applicant is seeking approval to produce the enzyme from a strain of bacterium known as Aspergillus fijiensis,' Dr Cuthbert said.  “FSANZ's safety assessment found no health and safety concerns for Australian and New Zealand consumers.'  If approved, the enzyme would be used as a processing aid to perform any technological purpose in the manufacture of any food, in accordance with the Australia New…

Published 4 November 2021

Call for comment on a new type of glazing agent for fresh fruit and vegetables

Call for comment on a new type of glazing agent for fresh fruit and vegetables Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an Application to extend the use of an already approved additive as a glazing agent for fruit and vegetables. Acting FSANZ CEO Glen Neal said the additive: mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids is already approved for use in the Food Standards Code for a range of other foods. “This Application is seeking to extend the current permissions in the Code to use the additive as a glazing agent on fresh fruits and vegetables as a way to extend the shelf life.' “The food additive is already allowed to be used as a glazing agent for fruits and vegetables in a number of countries including; Chile, China, the European Union, Japan, Mexico, Peru and the United States.' “FSANZ conducted a safety…

Published 3 September 2020

Call for comment on a new type of food additive

Call for comment on a new type of food additive Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an Application to allow a new type of additive under the Food Standards Code. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the additive is sourced from a particular type of mushroom called 'sweet osmanthus ear', if approved, it would be used to preserve non-alcoholic drinks. “Extracts from the mushroom (known as jelly mushroom glycolipids) are used to protect food from common yeasts, moulds and bacteria that may grow over time. “We carried out a safety assessment and found it is safe for use based on the proposed maximum permitted levels the Application calls for. “To help people make informed choices about their food, mandatory labelling requirements apply and this food additive will need to be declared on the ingredients list,” Mr Booth said. To…

Published 6 August 2020

Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn

Call for comment on a new type of genetically modified corn Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow food from a new type of genetically modified corn line to be sold in Australia and New Zealand. FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said the corn line has been genetically modified to increase yield and be resistant to a herbicide (glufosinate). “When assessing any Applications to allow new foods or ingredients to be sold in Australia and New Zealand, the safety and health of consumers is at the centre of our decision making process. “FSANZ undertook a comprehensive safety assessment which looked at the intended and unintended changes to the food, including potential toxicity and allergenicity of any new proteins. “We found that corn derived from this GM line is as safe as traditional non-GM…

Published 6 August 2020

Call for comment on new type of sweetener

Call for comment on new type of sweetener Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow an existing sweetener (steviol glycoside) from a new source in the Food Standards Code. Acting FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the steviol glycoside is similar to a range of other steviol glycosides already permitted for use as a food additive in the Food Standards Code but uses a different method of production. “If approved, this steviol glycoside would be used as a low-calorie sweetener in a range of food products. “Steviol glycosides are a type of intense sweetener sourced from the South American plant Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (stevia), but can also be produced by different methods. “FSANZ has conducted a thorough safety assessment and found no public health or safety concerns with this type of steviol glycoside,' Dr…

Published 21 October 2020

Call for comment on 2'-FL from a new GM source for infant formula

Call for comment on 2'-FL from a new GM source for infant formula Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow a new production method for a permitted oligosaccharide (2²fucosyllactose (2'-FL)) added to infant formula products. 2'-FL is a non-digestible carbohydrate, or oligosaccharide, found naturally in human milk. It can be used as a nutritive substance in infant formula products at levels consistent with those found in mature human milk. FSANZ Interim Chief Executive Officer Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the application seeks to allow the voluntary addition of 2²-FL produced by microbial fermentation using a new genetically modified (GM) production strain. “The Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) already permits the addition of 2'FL to infant formula…

Published 6 December 2021