G/SPS/N/AUS/579  
6 November 2023  
(23-7459) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member:  AUSTRALIA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)  
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, 
where applicable):  Foods sold in Australia (both imported and domestically produced)  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:   
5. Title of the notified document:  Approval report Application A1268 – Steviol glycosides 
produced by bioconversion using new enzymes produced by GM Escherichia coli; Supporting 
Document 1 Risk and technical assessment - Application A1268 Steviol glycosides produced 
by bioconversion using new enzymes produced by GM Escherichia coli . 
Language(s):  English . Number of pages:  32+12  
https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/code/applications/Pages/A1268 ---Steviol -glycosides-
produced -by-bioconversion -using -new-enzymes -produced -by-GM-Escherichia -coli.aspx  
6. Description of content:  FSANZ has approved amendments to the Australia New Zealand 
Food Standards Code (the Code) to permit th e bioconversion method of producing specific 
steviol glycosides, rebaudioside M and rebaudioside I. The use of three genetically 
modified enzymes as processing aids are permitted for this specific purpose. The 
bioconversion method of production is consiste nt with Codex standards. The enzymes used 
and their sources are very similar but not identical to those listed in the Joint FAO/WHO 
Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) specifications for steviol glycosides, being the 
(Framework for) Steviol Glycosid es. 
7. Objective and rationale: [X]  food safety, [  ] animal health, [  ] plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [  ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.  All applications to change the Code must be assessed in the  
context of the following objectives: (a) the protection of public health and safety; (b) the 
provision of adequate information relating to food to enable consumers to make informed 
choices; and (c) the prevention of misleading or deceptive conduct.  
8. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[X] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) : The Codex General Standard for Food additives (GSFA) 
CXS 192 -1995, has provisions for steviol glycosides produced by bioconversion. The 
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) specification for 
Steviol Glycosides - specifically called the (Framework for) Steviol Glycosides. 
JECFA is the risk assessment author ity for Codex food additive provisions.  
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :  
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
[ ] None  G/SPS/N/AUS/579  
 
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  Does this proposed regulat ion conform to the relevant international standard?  
[X] Yes   [  ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   
9. Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:   
Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (English).   
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : 18 January 2024  
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : 18 January 2024  
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [  ] Six months from date of publication , and/or  
(dd/mm/yy) : 18 January 2024  
[X] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [  ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : As the measure is trade facilitative and is substantially 
the same as an international standard, guideline or recommendation, the 60 -day period for 
receiving comments is not required.  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X]  National Notification 
Authority, [X]  National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if 
available) of other body:   
Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
Tel: +(61 2) 6272 3933  
Email: sps.contact@aff.gov.au  
Website: http://www.agriculture.gov.au  
13. Text(s) available  from: [X]  National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
Documents are available from the Food Standards Australia New Zealand website:  
A1268 - Steviol glycosides produced by bioconversion using new enzymes produced  by GM 
Escherichia coli (foodstandards.gov.au)  
Copies are also available from:  
Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
Tel: +(61 2) 6272 3933  
Email: sps.contact@aff.gov.au  
Website: http://www.agriculture.gov.au