Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for public comment on an application to permit three new enzymes to produce an intense sweetener.
The application seeks to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to allow these enzymes to be utilised as processing aids in food manufacturing.
The enzymes are derived from a genetically modified (GM) strain of Escherichia coli, an enzyme production organism with a history of safe use in food enzyme development. The GM strain will act as a processing aid in the production of an intense sweetener.
They will enable the enzymatic conversion of the steviol glycoside, rebaudioside A, into rebaudioside M for use in foods. Intense sweeteners are primarily used to replace sugar in foods and beverages. They also offer similar functions to sugar.
Safety assessments conducted by FSANZ identified no potential public health or safety concerns related to the use of the three enzymes developed using the GM strain. The approval of the enzymes will provide sugar alternatives and reduce consumer sugar intake.
Feedback on the application is open for submission until 20th May 2025. Feedback submissions through the consultation process will be considered by FSANZ before a decision is made on approval.