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

<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Call for comment on food made from GM wheat with increased nicotianamine levels</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang about="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/members/112" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype>nina.fahey</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2026-10-20T09:24:56+11:00" title="Tuesday, 20 October, 2026 - 09:24" class="datetime">Tue, 20/10/2026 - 09:24</time> </span> <div class="field field-publish-date field-type-datetime"> <div id="publish-date" class="field-label"> Published <time datetime="2026-10-20T03:09:01Z" class="datetime">20 October 2026</time> </div> <div class="field-label recall-updated-date"> </div> </div> <div class="field-bare"> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the&nbsp;</span><span>sale and use of food derived from genetically modified (GM) wheat lines.</span></p> <p><span>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.</span></p> <p><span>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.</span></p> <p><span>Our safety assessment focused on human food safety and nutrition and&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">found no public health or safety concerns with food derived from&nbsp;</span><span>GM wheat lines containing event UM-12115T-1. It is as safe as food from conventional wheat varieties.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">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.</span></p> <p><span>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 commercial cultivation of these wheat lines in Australia through a&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.ogtr.gov.au/gmo-dealings/dealings-involving-intentional-release/dir-227"><span lang="EN-AU">separate assessment</span></a><span lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;</span><span>by the Gene Technology Regulator. Cultivation in New Zealand would require separate approval by the Environmental Protection Authority.&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">Importation of viable seeds into New Zealand would require advice from the Ministry for Primary Industries.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">To have your say on this application, visit the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://consultations.foodstandards.gov.au/"><span lang="EN-GB">FSANZ Consultation Hub</span></a><span lang="EN-GB">. Submissions close at 11.59pm (Canberra time) Tuesday 1 December 2026.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>What happens to my feedback?</strong></span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">FSANZ will consider all feedback received through this submission process before deciding on whether to approve the application.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Submissions will be published to our website as soon as possible at the end of the public comment period.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB"><strong>More information</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span lang="EN-GB"></span><a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/food-standards-code/consultations/submissions"><span lang="EN-GB">How to make a submission</span></a><span lang="EN-GB"></span></li> <li><span lang="EN-GB">Read the assessment documents:&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/food-standards-code/applications/a1356-food-derived-increased-nicotianamine-wheat-lines-containing"><span lang="EN-GB">A1356 – Food derived from increased nicotianamine wheat lines containing event UM-12115T-1</span></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/gmfood#:~:text=All%20genetically%20modified%20%28GM%29%20foods%20intended%20for%20sale,safe%20to%20eat.%20Read%20more%20about%20GM%20foods."><span lang="EN-GB">Genetically modified foods</span></a></li> </ul> <p><span lang="EN-GB">​<strong>Media contact</strong></span><strong><span lang="EN-GB"></span></strong></p> <ul> <li><span lang="EN-GB"></span>(+61) <span lang="EN-GB">0401 714 265</span></li> <li><span lang="EN-GB"></span><a href="mailto:media@foodstandards.gov.au"><span lang="EN-GB">media@foodstandards.gov.au</span></a><span lang="EN-GB"></span></li> </ul> </div> <div class="container container-page-updated"> <div class="page-updated"> <div id="updated-date"> Page last updated: 20 October 2026 </div> </div> </div>

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FSANZ media RSS (food standards and recalls) · Government/Regulator

Published

19th October 2026

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foodstandards.gov.au

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