Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today called for submissions on an application to approve an enzyme derived from a genetically modified (GM) microorganism, for use as a processing aid.
FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Mark Booth said the new source for the glucose oxidase enzyme was a GM strain of Trichoderma reesei.
The enzyme would be used as a processing aid in baked products, cereal based products and egg processing.
“Glucose oxidase is already a permitted enzyme in the Food Standards Code, and it would be used as a processing aid at such low levels that it would either not be present in the final food or present in insignificant quantities, having no technical function in the final food,' Mr Booth said.
“The FSANZ safety assessment concluded there were no public health and safety concerns associated with the use of the enzyme.'
FSANZ welcomes comments from government agencies, public health professionals, industry and the community on this application.
The period for comment closes at 6pm (Canberra time) 10 January 2020.
All FSANZ decisions on applications are notified to the ministers responsible for food regulation, who can ask for a review or agree that the standard should become law.
More information
Read the assessment documents: A1182 - Glucose Oxidase from Trichoderma reesei as a Processing Aid (Enzyme)
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