Students of Food Labeling will wish to note that the debate on labeling of GE (Genetically Engineered) Foods has now reached Australia and New Zealand. Australian Senator Nick Xenophon has introduced legislation to require retail level labeling of foods containing GE derived ingredients. The Food Standards Amendment (Truth in Labeling - Genetically Modified Material) Bill 2010 would amend the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991.

Three documents are attached: (1) the text of the proposed bill; (2) a Memorandum on the proposed legislation; and (3) a compilation of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 current to 5 August 2010.

The website of Food Standards Australia New Zealand is   http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/

We note for our non-US readers the American English spelling Labeling as contrasted with the UK English spelling Labelling.