Anzfa’s Managing Director Ian Lindenmayer has expressed disappointment at recent attempts by some anti-GM lobby groups to spread misinformation about the safety and labelling of genetically modified (GM) foods.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
In particular, Lindenmayer said that Gene Ethics Network’s Bob Phelps and the Public Health Association’s Dr Judy Carmen had deliberately sought to whip up public anxiety over the safety of the food supply in relation to GM foods in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Lindenmayer said the Australia New Zealand Food Authority, as the food regulator, carries no bias for or against any particular food technology. That said, we have now assessed about twenty GM commodities, using a very rigorous methodology which has been applauded by a number of independent expert bodies.
To this point, we have no evidence whatsoever that this technology presents any threats to consumer safety.
“I can understand people wanting to avoid GM foods for environmental, ethical, religious or other reasons, but they should argue their case on these bases and not mislead the consuming public with unsubstantiated assertions,” Lindenmayer said.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalData“I don’t pretend that we have all the answers about GM foods, but we have enough to know that those we approve are at least as safe as their non-GM counterparts.”
Lindenmayer said GM foods had been in the world’s food supply for more than a decade – without a single scientifically-documented case of causing harm to a person.
The ANZFA safety assessment process ensured that the genetic modification in approved GM foods is stable over several generations and that the toxicity and allergenicity of these foods is at levels no higher than in conventionally grown crops.
As for the new labelling laws for GM foods: there are no loopholes in the regulations. The Ministerial Council made a conscious decision to apply the regulations to the final food, not to the process.
Many ingredients which start out as genetically modified are subsequently processed to remove the genetically modified materials. For example, canola oil obtained from GM canola is identical to that obtained from non-GM canola.
“ANZFA welcomes vigorous public debate on any food matter. But the continual sledging of GM food safety by these groups has gone beyond the bounds of ethical lobbying practice.
“I now believe that these groups should be asked to put up or shut up. We have the evidence that approved GM foods are safe to eat. Where is their evidence that they are not?”
Lindenmayer said ANZFA operated one of the most transparent and consultative food regulation regimes in the world. Nowhere was this more apparent than in the area of GM foods.
“Food standards are ever-changing in line with new knowledge and new consumer expectations. Our regulations for GM foods are no exception,” Lindenmayer said.
” Food regulation can only be objective if it is based on high-quality science and ANZFA’s general approach on the safety assessment for GM foods has been supported by some of the most credible organisations in the world.”
