FSANZ Board Approves Updated Definition of Gene Technology and New Breeding Techniques

On 4 June 2025, the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Board approved a major update to how genetically modified (GM) food is defined under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code). The revision, part of Proposal P1055, aims to revise outdated, process-based definitions with new outcome-based criteria to address advances in gene technologies.

The revised definitions aim to improve clarity and consistency in GM food regulation by focusing on whether an organism contains novel DNA. FSANZ CEO Dr. Sandra Cuthbert said that the new definitions reflect the advances in science and will provide greater clarity for the industry, regulators, and consumers. The new definitions will be applied across the Code to support consistent GM food assessment and labeling and ensure regulatory oversight remains proportionate to risk.

This also brings Australia and New Zealand closer to international regulatory approaches in countries like Canada, Japan, and England. FSANZ confirmed that existing requirements, such as pre-market safety assessments and labelling requirements for GM foods, will remain firmly in place. Food ministers in Australia and New Zealand have 60 days to review and respond to the FSANZ Board's decision.

For more information, read the media statement or the Proposal P1005 from the FSANZ website.