Labelling requirements for GM PRODUCTS
Do GM products have to be labelled?
GM foods, ingredients, additives, or processing aids that contain novel DNA or protein must be labelled with the words 'genetically modified'. Novel DNA or protein is defined in the Food Standards Code as DNA or a protein which, as a results of gene technology, is different in chemical sequence or structure from DNA or protein present in counterpart food, which has not been produced using gene technology.
Labelling is also required when genetic modification results in an altered characteristic in a food. E.g. soy beans with changed nutritional characteristics such as an increase in their oleic acid content.
All GM foods and ingredients must undergo a safety assessment and be approved before they can be sold in Australia and New Zealand. The decision on how GM foods are labelled as made by the ministers responsible for food regulation in 2001.
Where will I find GM on the label?
You will find the statement 'genetically modified' on the label either next to the name of the food, e.g. genetically modified soy beans, or in association with the specific ingredient in the ingredient list, e.g. soyflour (genetically modified). If the food is unpackaged, then the information must be displayed close to the food at the point of ale, for example, genetically modified soy beans on a container of loose dried soy beans.
Exemptions from GM labelling
GM foods that do not contain any novel DNA or protein or altered characteristics do not require labelling. A decision not to label these foods was made because the composition and characteristics of these foods is exactly the same as the non-GM food. These foods are typically highly refined foods, such as sugars and oils, where the processing has removed DNA and protein from the food, including novel DNA and novel protein.
Flavours containing novel DNA or protein in a concentrration of no more than .1% are also exempt from labelling.
LLabelling is also not reuired when there is no more than 1% (per ingredient) of an approved GM food unintentionally present as an ingredient or processing aid in a non-GM food. This means labelling is not required when a manufacturer genuinely orders non-GM ingredients but finds that up to 1% of an approved GM ingredient is accidentally mixed in non-GM ingredient.
None of the above apply if the GM food has altered characteristics.
What about food I buy in restaurants?
Food prepared and sold from food premises and vending vehicles (e.g. restaurants, takeaway food outlets, caterers) is also exempt from GM food handling requirements. In these cases the food business must apply consumers with information about the product which is not misleading or untruthful.
'GM free' and 'non-GM' claims
'GM free' and 'non-GM' claims are made voluntarily by food manufacturers and are subject to relevant fair trading laws in Australia and New Zealand which prohibit representation about food that are, or likely to be, false, misleading or deceptive. More information on fair trade legislation is available from the Australian Competition and Consumer Comission and New Zealand Commerce Comission websites.
GM foods, ingredients, additives, or processing aids that contain novel DNA or protein must be labelled with the words 'genetically modified'. Novel DNA or protein is defined in the Food Standards Code as DNA or a protein which, as a results of gene technology, is different in chemical sequence or structure from DNA or protein present in counterpart food, which has not been produced using gene technology.
Labelling is also required when genetic modification results in an altered characteristic in a food. E.g. soy beans with changed nutritional characteristics such as an increase in their oleic acid content.
All GM foods and ingredients must undergo a safety assessment and be approved before they can be sold in Australia and New Zealand. The decision on how GM foods are labelled as made by the ministers responsible for food regulation in 2001.
Where will I find GM on the label?
You will find the statement 'genetically modified' on the label either next to the name of the food, e.g. genetically modified soy beans, or in association with the specific ingredient in the ingredient list, e.g. soyflour (genetically modified). If the food is unpackaged, then the information must be displayed close to the food at the point of ale, for example, genetically modified soy beans on a container of loose dried soy beans.
Exemptions from GM labelling
GM foods that do not contain any novel DNA or protein or altered characteristics do not require labelling. A decision not to label these foods was made because the composition and characteristics of these foods is exactly the same as the non-GM food. These foods are typically highly refined foods, such as sugars and oils, where the processing has removed DNA and protein from the food, including novel DNA and novel protein.
Flavours containing novel DNA or protein in a concentrration of no more than .1% are also exempt from labelling.
LLabelling is also not reuired when there is no more than 1% (per ingredient) of an approved GM food unintentionally present as an ingredient or processing aid in a non-GM food. This means labelling is not required when a manufacturer genuinely orders non-GM ingredients but finds that up to 1% of an approved GM ingredient is accidentally mixed in non-GM ingredient.
None of the above apply if the GM food has altered characteristics.
What about food I buy in restaurants?
Food prepared and sold from food premises and vending vehicles (e.g. restaurants, takeaway food outlets, caterers) is also exempt from GM food handling requirements. In these cases the food business must apply consumers with information about the product which is not misleading or untruthful.
'GM free' and 'non-GM' claims
'GM free' and 'non-GM' claims are made voluntarily by food manufacturers and are subject to relevant fair trading laws in Australia and New Zealand which prohibit representation about food that are, or likely to be, false, misleading or deceptive. More information on fair trade legislation is available from the Australian Competition and Consumer Comission and New Zealand Commerce Comission websites.