Genetically Modified Foods
(A) Foods on sale in Australia
that use genetically modified
(gm) ingredients (mainly-
imported) are from the six gm
crops listed below. With the
exception of cotton oil, none of
these crops approved for food use
are grown commercially in
Australia.
Cotton oil - is produced from a
gm crop grown in Australia,
called Bt Cotton, and can be used
in edible oils and margarines.
Approved genetically modified
crops that can be imported for
use in processed foods are:
Soybeans — these can be used in
soy-based products and
ingredients in processed foods
such as bread, pastries, snack
foods, and edible oil products.
Canola oil (rape seed oil)—can
be used in edible oils, fried foods
and snack foods.
Corn - can be in the form of corn
oil, flour, and sugar and used in
snack foods, fried foods and
confectionery.
Potatoes - can be used in
processed products such as snack
foods (this does not include fresh
potatoes).
Sugar beet - can be used as sugar
(D) There is a wide range of
opinions in the community about
genetically modified foods, with
arguments for and against on
issues such as their nutritional
value, the beneficiaries-
consumers, producers or
multinationals-and the
environmental effects of
genetically modified crops. Other
issues include the ability to feed
the world's poor and consumer
acceptance versus ethical
concerns about transferring genes
across species.
 
(E) Genetic modification has the
potential to provide foods that are
healthier, safer, cheaper, better
for the environment and more
efficient to grow. The Federal
Government seeks a can-do
country where Australian jobs can
be kept at home. By embracing
innovation and new technology,
Australia stands to benefit
economically and remain
internationally competitive in the
food it produces. While there is a
window of great opportunity for
Australia based on research in
gene technology; it is necessary
to carefully assess the possible
in some processed foods.
Not all imported food and food
ingredients, as listed above, are
derived from genetically
modified crops.
 
(B) Genetic modification
involves taking genes from the
cells of a plant, animal or
microbe and inserting them into
another cell to give a desired
characteristic.
When food products are derived
by this process they are known as
genetically modified or gm foods.
As every form of life has genes,
almost everything we eat has
genes in it.
Plant and animal breeders have
sought to modify or improve
quality, yield and taste
characteristics for hundreds of
years through cross breeding
techniques. Genetic modification
is a new method of identifying
and transferring particular
characteristics.
Genetic modification is part of
the science of biotechnology,
which has rapidly advanced this
century. This has resulted in
improvements in traditional ways
of making common products
such as bread, cheese, beer and
vitamins.
risks as well as the benefits
available from gene technology.
Some crops have been modified
to be pest resistant. For example,
a cotton crop has been developed
with built-in protection against
insects and, as a result, farmers
have reduced their pesticide
spraying. Results such as this
could lessen the use of chemicals
in agriculture and lead to a
cleaner environment.
Using gene technology
researchers are planning to
develop foods that benefit
consumers by having higher
vitamin and protein content as
well as having their allergy-
causing properties removed while
including properties to help
prevent chronic diseases such as
cancer and heart disease.
 
(F) It is the role of the Australian
and New Zealand Food Authority
(ANZFA) to ensure that all food,
including genetically modified
food, is safe and ANZFA's safety
guidelines are based on world
best-practice standards.
All companies, both from
Australia and overseas, must, by
law, comply with Australian
regulations before they can sell
genetically modified products in
 While the use of genetic
modification in commercial food
crops is new in Australia, it has
been used widely in the USA for
several years.
 
(C) The Federal and State
Governments are together
considering how to best meet
consumers' information needs on
genetically modified foods,
including labelling, to enable
consumers to make an informed
choice.
The Australian and New Zealand
Food Standards Council
(ANZFSC) have made a
commitment to the labelling of
genetically modified foods.
Further specific information
regarding labelling of genetically
modified foods or ingredients
will be made available through
the Australian and New Zealand
Food Authority (ANZFA) and
Biotechnology Australia.
Australia. Using ANZFA
guidelines, information supplied
by companies, and world
scientific literature, ANZFA's
experts assess the characteristics
of genetically modified foods to
determine if they have been
changed in any way which might
make them unsafe. Steps in the
approval process are:
• An initial safety assessment is
made by ANZFA experts, with
public comment invited.
• A review of all the findings is
undertaken.
• A full safety assessment is
conducted by ANZFA experts.
• Final public comment on the
proposed genetically modified
food is invited.
• A recommendation for approval
or rejection is made to the
Australian and New Zealand
Food Standards Council
(consisting of the Health
Ministers of Australia and New
Zealand).
The full process can take up to 12
months. Each State and Territory
Government is responsible for
administering the enforcement of
the food standards.