Source: Australia and New Zealand Food Standards
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to allow a new enzyme processing aid from a genetically-modified (GM) microbial source.
FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert said if permitted, the enzyme beta-fructofuranosidase would be used as a processing aid in the production of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) and to reduce sugar (sucrose) levels in treated fruit and vegetable products.
“The enzyme is sourced from a genetically modified (GM) strain of Trichoderma reesei containing the beta-fructofuranosidase gene from Aspergillus niger,” Dr Cuthbert said.
“T. reesei has a long history of safe use as a production microorganism of enzyme processing aids, including several that are already permitted in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.”
FSANZ has conducted a safety assessment which found no health and safety concerns for Australian and New Zealand consumers.
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