Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved updated definitions for genetically modified (GM) food in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to reflect advances in gene technology. The changes and new definitions are summarised below:

• New definitions: the process-based definition for ‘food produced using gene technology’ is being replaced with an outcome-based definition for ‘genetically modified food’.
• Novel DNA: new definition based on the introduction of ‘novel DNA’ in an organism or cells. Genetic changes that occur naturally or from conventional breeding will not be captured as GM.
• New Breeding Techniques: foods made using new breeding techniques, like genome editing, won’t be classified as GM food if the genetic change doesn’t introduce novel DNA.

The new definitions focus on the changes made rather than the processes used, and are aimed at ensuring clarity for industry, regulators, and consumers. Existing requirements for pre-market safety assessments and labelling of GM foods will continue. The approval now awaits consideration by Australian and New Zealand food ministers.