Call for comment on food made from GM wheat with increased nicotianamine levels

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the sale and use of food derived from genetically modified (GM) wheat lines. GM wheat lines containing event UM-12115T-1 have been modified to contain a gene from rice which results in higher levels of nicotianamine. Nicotianamine is a naturally occurring compound that helps plants absorb and distribute minerals such as iron and zinc. The GM wheat is intended primarily for use as animal feed, although if approved it may also enter the human food supply through food processing and grain supply chains. Our safety assessment focused on human food safety and nutrition and found no public health or safety concerns with food derived from GM wheat lines containing event UM-12115T-1. It is as safe as food from conventional wheat varieties. To help people make informed choices, food made from this wheat would need to be labelled as 'genetically modified' if novel DNA and/or novel proteins were contained in the final food. This application relates only to the use of food derived from the GM wheat lines in Australia and New Zealand. The applicant is also seeking approval for comme...