Regulation of genetically modified foods in Australia and New Zealand

Food standards in Australia and New Zealand build on the level of food safety that is generally accepted by the community. An explicitly cautious approach is applied in cases where there is no established history of safe human consumption, as is the case for foods produced using gene technology. Novel foods, including genetically modified (GM) foods, undergo a mandatory pre-market safety assessment and approval process. The approach used in Australia and New Zealand to assess the safety of foods produced using gene technology draws on concepts and principles that have been developed internationally.