GM foods in Australia

18 Mar 2010, 11:32 am   -   Source: SBS/CSIRO
12 Comments
Share This
+ Comment
12
GM canola can be cultivated in the New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. (AAP)

GM canola can be cultivated in the New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. (AAP)

Find out which genetically modified foods are available in Australia and which GM crops can be grown here.

RELATED

As the debate on genetically modified food heats up again on the back of talks of possible food shortages, we explore which genetically modified foods are available and which GM crops can be grown in Australia.

Currently in Australia there are three types of GM crops that have been approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator to be grown commercially in Australia:

GM cotton herbicide resistant

GM canola (however, some state moratoria prevent the growing of GM canola)

GM blue carnations insect and herbicide resistant

While these are the only plants approved for commercial release there are other plants that have been approved for controlled releases, CSIRO says.

GM foods in Australia are regulated by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.

Genetically modified food

While only three GM crops are approved for growing in Australia there are other GM food products that have been imported from overseas and approved for consumption in Australia.

Consumers can determine if a food product contains GM ingredients by simply looking at the label as all food containing GM products is legally obliged to be labelled as such.

These include, for example:

GM soybean

GM canola

GM corn

GM potato.

These GM foods are typically only found in processed foods and cannot be purchased as fresh food.

Labelling of GM foods

Generall, all food containing GM products is legally obliged to be labelled as such, but GM foods don't have to be labelled if they are: 

*highly processed foods, such as vegetable oils and minor ingredients like processing aids, where novel DNA or proteins cannot be found

*foods containing no more than 1 per cent (10 g/kg) approved GM ingredients, when the presence of GM is unintentional.

Food purchased at a restaurant does not need to be labeled as the consumer can ask the vendor directly about the GM status of a food.

In Australia, there are currently no approved GM fresh foods, such as fruit and vegetables.

Should they ever be approved, FSANZ’s regulation states that they must be displayed with a tag disclosing their GM status.

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube

Your Comments

Display: 20 | 40 | All comments per page
Previous 10 | Page 1 | 2 | Next 10

Don't eat and fight having GMO in Australia

Robyn from America - from Texas, USA, 2 days ago

GMO is wide spread in America, was introduced in the late 80's into our food sorce, widely used in the mid 90's, and now used in almost everything we eat. We are the fattest nation in the world, our honey bee population is declining,we have record numbers of child with diabetes 1 and 4 will have diabettes before they are teen. Organics (non GM foods) is hard to find and cost us 2 or 3 times of the cost to purchase. Don't allow this to happen to your beautiful country and people.

i don't like the idea

Burwa Palani - from Adelaide, 2 months ago

I absolutely distaste GM Foods im not 100% sure with the whole thing to do with World domination, but i just don't like the idea of GM Foods on the market even though it already is. it's also bad for some religions like Islam who don't want any Pig genes in their foods. it's not just islam that dislikes the idea, but many others as said by those who have commented below, but this should be a matter decided by the people of the country. We Have A Say!

Brainwashed Amelia

Belinda - from Sydney, 3 months ago

Amelia - Population control? You have been brainwashed completely. Please find help. The world can all be fed on organic food, this is possible. Please be informed before you start sprouting your nonsense and causing my grandchildren not to be able to have kids.... Thanks

Mr

John Stoyko - from O'Connell NSW, 3 months ago

Scientists From Inside Monsanto, The Truth. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=QxpH9wBt0fM The link is scientists talking about GM food, a must watch. This is crazy we the people of this land should be asked if we want GM food. No one asked me to date. Look what Europe is doing, they don't want the rubbish. The Australian media should be flogging the hell out of this and informing the people.

Control the food Control the people

BT - from Victoria, 4 months ago

I agree with KJ. GM food is another way for the global elite to control/starve the population. Leave our food alone!

Illuminati

kj - from Canberra, 7 months ago

Can't people see this is the Illuminati's way of Controlling the world for world domination.

GM foods

jennie - from south coast NSW, 8 months ago

Forget Genetically Modified foods. Look at what the GM Bt cotton did to the cows that were fed on it...possiblly the pre- cursor to mad cows disease and its human counterpart.... A result of the additional proteins created with the technique. I am sure that the Farming villages in in India are truly thankful also for the GM assistance! I t promised increased crops and gave loss of livestock, allergies and disease. Say no Australia.... for our childrens health. PS.. Monsanto sounds Evil!!!!

Really?

amelia - from canberra, 9 months ago

i think that everyone is just trying to create better plants that can cope with the current population growth not only in australia but world wide the csiro are just helping evoloution along thats all

Why

linn - from steelframekits@gmail.com, 1 year

When other countries are determined to ban GM crops/food outright why does Australia allow them? Scientifically proven that the gene in GM soybean transfers to human/animal gut bacterial and stays there continually producing toxins and inhibits reproduction in the third generation. Come on Australia who is running our country? I would like a referandum on GM foods in Australia. let the consumer decide.

Scrap this now

Trinity - from Sunshine Coast, 2 years ago

GM foods should be banned in this country. As we are the only continent in the world with pest-free bees, we should also take a hardline stance against such giant Corporations as Monsanto, who have an aggressive marketing and acquisition agenda for world domination. From what I've read, there is no need to modify the gene of a plant to increase yield. I like my fruit and veges as much as the next person, however more beneficial gains can be had by changing outdated farming practices.

Display: 20 | 40 | All comments per page
Previous 10 | Page 1 | 2 | Next 10

Join the Discussion

Name
City / Suburb E.g. Artarmon, Sydney
Title
Comment
You have characters remaining.
Validation
What's this?
This is a captcha-picture. It is used to prevent mass-access by robots.
All submitted comments become the property of SBS. They are moderated, so we reserve the right to edit comments and remove HTML tags. Not all submitted comments will be published. Publication does not mean we endorse the opinions expressed. Please read our terms and conditions for more information.