Biotech Updates

FSANZ Calls for Comments on Food Derived from GM Corn MON94804

March 21, 2024

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comments on an application for the sale and use of food derived from genetically modified (GM) corn MON94804. This GM corn has been genetically modified to reduce the plant's overall height.

GM corn MON94804's reduced overall height potentially provides higher yields, due to improved access to farming equipment and reduced risk of crop losses from high winds and adverse weather. “If approved, food from this type of GM corn could be imported into Australia and New Zealand via products including starch, grits, meal, flour, oil, and sweetener," FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said.

To help people make informed choices, food made from this corn would need to be labeled as genetically modified if novel DNA and/or novel proteins were contained in the final food. FSANZ's approval would not permit the GM corn to be grown in Australia or New Zealand and its cultivation would require separate regulatory assessment and approval by the Gene Technology Regulator in Australia and the Environmental Protection Authority in New Zealand.

For more details or to send comments, read this news article or visit the FSANZ consultation hub. Submissions will close at 6 pm (AEDT) on April 30, 2024.


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