G/SPS/N/NZL/754  
6 November 2023  
(23-7460) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member:  NEW ZEALAND  
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 New Zealand (both imported and domestically produced)  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practica ble: 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:   
5. Title of the notified document:  Approval report for Application A1268 – Steviol 
glycosides produced by bioconversion using new enzymes produced by GM Escherichia 
coli. and Supporting Document 1 Risk and Safety Assessment . Language (s): English . 
Number of pages:  43 
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 the 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  consistent 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  Glycosides.  
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 assess ed 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 conduc t. 
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) : Codex Alimentarius Commission (The Codex General 
Standard for Food additives  (GSFA) CXS 192 -1995, has provisions for steviol 
glycosides produced by bioconversion. The JECFA specification for Steviol 
Glycosides - specifically called the (Framework for) Steviol Glycosides. JECFA is the 
risk assessment authority for Codex food additi ve 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/NZL/754  
 
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  Does this proposed regulation 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 20 24 
[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 facilitating and is 
substantially the same as an international standard, guideline or recommendation, the 
period for receiving comments is eliminated.  
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:   
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)  
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:   
Sally Griffin, Coordinator, SPS New Zealand, PO Box 2526, Wellington, New Zealand. 
Tel: +(64 4) 894 0431; Fax: +64 4 894 0733; E -mail: sps@mpi.govt.nz