Genetically modified food, most recent changes in Australian approval processes

The Australian Office of Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) both have involvement in regulating gene technology but do so completely separately in different parts of the food supply chain for food sold in the Australian market. The OGTR determines if a genetically modified organism (GMO) is safe to be released into the environment and regulates activities such as growing GM crops. FSANZ, on the other hand, engages in an extensive approval process and food safety assessment whenever a new GMO is proposed for use in food for human consumption. This article compares the separate processes of the two regulatory bodies and the implications these have on food business compliance obligations, as well as the impact in the strangest ways, such as an impact on eligibility to make a country of origin claim, as illustrated in this article.