Food businesses and regulatory agencies can now access new guidance to support interpretation of the updated definitions of genetically modified food and novel DNA in the Food Standards Code.
The definitions were adopted in September 2025 following completion of Proposal P1055 - Definitions for gene technology and new breeding techniques. The new guidance provides practical information and examples to help food businesses and regulators consistently apply the new definitions.
This guidance document – A guide to definitions for genetically modified food and novel DNA in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – covers the following:
- Explains how the definitions of genetically modified food and novel DNA in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) may apply;
- Supports consistent interpretation of those definitions by food developers and regulatory agencies.
Electronic versions of the guidance are now available for download (PDF and Word formats, approximately 2 MB each). If you are having problems using a document with your accessibility tools, please contact us for help.
Jurisdiction: Joint Australia and New Zealand
Publication type: Guidance
Date of official publication: 23 July 2026
Page last updated: 5 August 2026
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