Genetically modified food labelling

The FLAVR SAVR® tomato was the first GM food to be approved for sale anywhere in the world. This occurred in the USA in 1994.

Australia’s Gene Technology Act 2000 (GT Act) makes a distinction between genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically modified (GM) products.

Genetically modified organisms

Definition: The full definition of a GMO appears under section 10 of the GT Act. In essence, a GMO means:

(a) an organism that has been modified by gene technology; or

(b) an organism that has inherited particular traits from an organism (the initial organism), being traits that occurred in the initial organism because of gene technology.

Genetically modified products

Definition: A genetically modified product (GM product) means a thing (other than a GMO) derived or produced from a GMO (section 10 of the GT Act).

Food made from gene technology is either defined as substantially different or is essentially the same (substantially equivalent) in composition, nutrition, taste, smell, texture and functional characteristics, to conventional foods.

See what GM foods are allowed in Australia (as of February 2005) http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/whatsinfood/ gmfoods/gmcurrentapplication1030.cfm

For the list of approved food additives and processing aids: http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/whatsinfood/ gmfoods/approvedgmprocessing1031.cfm

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What is biotechnology? Human uses Environment Food and agriculture Feed Me A problem with weeds - the canola story A problem with insects - the cotton story Other reasons to modify crops - soybeans The international scene Genetically modified food labelling Safety of genetically modified foods Assessing the safety of genetically modified foods Is it a food or food ingredient? Concerns about safety Labelling of genetically modified foods Concerns about labelling of genetically modified food Regulation of research in Australia Ethics for Food and Agriculture research Careers	Genetically modified food labelling The FLAVR SAVR® tomato was the first GM food to be approved for sale anywhere in the world. This occurred in the USA in 1994. Australia’s Gene Technology Act 2000 (GT Act) makes a distinction between genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically modified (GM) products. Genetically modified organisms Definition: The full definition of a GMO appears under section 10 of the GT Act. In essence, a GMO means: (a) an organism that has been modified by gene technology; or (b) an organism that has inherited particular traits from an organism (the initial organism), being traits that occurred in the initial organism because of gene technology. Genetically modified products Definition: A genetically modified product (GM product) means a thing (other than a GMO) derived or produced from a GMO (section 10 of the GT Act). Food made from gene technology is either defined as substantially different or is essentially the same (substantially equivalent) in composition, nutrition, taste, smell, texture and functional characteristics, to conventional foods. See what GM foods are allowed in Australia (as of February 2005) http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/whatsinfood/ gmfoods/gmcurrentapplication1030.cfm For the list of approved food additives and processing aids: http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/whatsinfood/ gmfoods/approvedgmprocessing1031.cfm
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