​​Food Safety Minister Adopts FSANZ’s Labeling Rules for GM Food Without Added DNA

New Zealand Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard and his Australian counterparts have decided to adopt the updated definitions of Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) for genetically modified (GM) food in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The decision was made in late July following FSANZ's approval of the updated definition.

According to FSANZ's P1055 proposal, food produced using New Breeding Techniques (NBTs) will not be labeled as GM if no novel or new DNA was introduced. Hoggard said that producers may still choose to disclose whether gene technologies were used in the food production process. The Food Safety Minister also said that, to the best of his knowledge, no health issues had been raised from consuming GM products.

GE-Free New Zealand Spokesman Jon Carapiet called the policy “fundamentally unethical,” saying it took away consumers' choice to make informed decisions. While supermarkets confirm their compliance with the updated labeling rules, Carapiet urged suppliers to disclose the use of gene technologies, country of origin, and accurate environmental or social claims to maintain transparency and trust.

For more information, read the articles from The New Zealand Herald and FSANZ.