Among the first countries in the world to introduce GM labelling, in August 2003 ministers in Australia and New Zealand requested that FSANZ conduct a review to compare 'our GM labelling requirements with current international practice.'
Examining the report at the recent Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council meeting, the ministers were 'very pleased to note that Australia and New Zealand's requirements remain amongst the most comprehensive in the world, and that industry compliance with labelling requirements has been very good.'
Ministers requested that FSANZ, responsible for developing food policy for Australia and New Zealand, continue to track international trends on GM labelling.
Ending years of the European GM moratorium and in a move severely criticised by consumer and environmental organisations, last month the European Commission cleared Swiss company Sygenta's Bt11 genetically modified sweetcorn, granting authorisation for it to be sold within the European Union over the next ten years. Earlier this year new rules on tough GM labelling entered into force in Europe.
At the FSANZ meeting last month the council agreed to a policy guideline for the fortification of foods with vitamins and minerals. The policy covers both mandatory and voluntary fortification of food.
Opening up opportunities for food manufacturers, ministers agreed that vitamins and minerals may be added to food where there is, for example, demonstrated evidence of a potential health benefit, and it is clear that the fortification of a food will not result in harm.
The ministers also agreed with FSANZ that mandatory fortification of food with iodine and folate, 'should be considered as a priority'. Work on drawing up a standard will kick off in the next two months.
The ministerial Council had further discussions on the appropriate approach to regulating the use of biomarker maintenance claims on foods - for example, 'maintains healthy cholesterol'.
Again, new opportunities for manufacturers are likely as the ministers agreed that - in the face of growing evidence - foods can have a 'positive impact on the public's health, and industry innovation in this area should be encouraged'.
Keen to crack down on false claims 'that have the potential to distort diets', the ministers also emphasised that the protection of public health and safety is a critical issue.
'The ministerial council determined that claims regarding the maintenance of a biomarker would be permitted on foods. They will be treated in the same way as enhancement claims. That is, manufacturers will be required to apply to FSANZ for approval of a biomarker maintenance claim, prior to releasing the product to market. This will ensure that claims are appropriately substantiated, and subject to public consultation, prior to their use,' concluded the council in a recent statement.