Australia and New Zealand
April 22, 2008
Food Standards
Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is seeking public comment on
changes it is considering making to the Australia New Zealand
Food Standards Code (the Code) .
The first change is a proposal to amend the Code to require the
mandatory fortification of bread with iodine in Australia.
The second follows an application from
Syngenta Seeds Pty Ltd for permission to sell and use food
derived from a new genetically modified (GM) variety of corn.
When we receive an application to change food regulations, or
propose one in the public interest – such as iodine
fortification, we assess the risks to consumers of making that
change and consider various regulatory options to minimise those
risks.
In matters of public health and safety, we adopt a cautionary
and conservative approach. If there is doubt about the safety of
a new food or a change to an existing one, we will either
prohibit its sale or approve it only under stringent conditions.
The public comment process ensures FSANZ has as much evidence as
possible to make the best decisions for the benefit of all.
Proposal P1003 Assessment - Mandatory Iodine Fortification for
Australia
With this proposal we are
considering the mandatory fortification of bread with iodine
to reduce iodine deficiency in Australia. Scientists
worldwide agree that iodine deficiency can have a negative
impact on mental and nervous system development in babies
and young children, and increases the risk of some forms of
thyroid disease, especially in the elderly.
In May 2004, the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation
Ministerial Council (Ministerial Council) asked us to
consider mandatory fortification with iodine as a matter of
priority. In response, we prepared Proposal P230 –
Consideration of Mandatory Fortification with Iodine.
Initially, the Ministerial Council intended this Proposal to
address iodine deficiency in both Australia and New Zealand.
However, just before completing it, we were asked to defer
its introduction in Australia while Australian Health
Ministers re-evaluated the evidence on the prevalence and
severity of iodine deficiency in this country. In the
interim, in recognition of the proven magnitude and severity
of iodine deficiency in New Zealand, we completed Proposal
P230 to create a separate Food Standard for New Zealand.
We now have advice from Health Ministers that we should be
considering a similar Food Standard for Australia. We are
proposing that a mandatory iodine fortification Standard for
Australia be the same as the one we have already produced
for New Zealand, with the same food vehicle (iodised salt in
bread) and the same salt iodisation range. The objective of
this new Proposal is to amend the New Zealand only Standard
to become a joint Standard for both Australia and New
Zealand.
Application
A1001 Assessment - Food derived from Insect-protected Corn Line
MIR162
Syngenta
Seeds Pty Ltd has asked us to amend the Code, specifically
Food Standard 1.5.2 which regulates food produced using Gene
Technology, to permit the sale and use of food derived from
its new GM variety of corn, MIR162. Standard 1.5.2 requires
that GM foods undergo a pre-market safety assessment before
they may be sold in Australia and New Zealand.
Syngenta has genetically modified MIR162 corn to protect it
against feeding damage caused by the larvae of certain
insect pest species.
The company intended the corn to be grown in North America.
However, once commercialised, GM corn products may be
imported into Australia and New Zealand. FSANZ approval is
therefore necessary before these products may enter the
Australian and New Zealand markets.
Submissions:
FSANZ welcomes public comment from
industry, public health professionals, government agencies and
consumers. Details of all the assessments above can be found on
www.foodstandards.gov.au.
Submissions close on 20 May 2008
for Proposal P1003 Assessment Mandatory Iodine Fortification for
Australia and on 23 May 2008 for
Application A1001 – Assessment Food derived from
Insect-protected Corn. |
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