Food safety and quality
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OECD Unique Identifier details

MON-ØØ1Ø1-8
Commodity: Alfalfa / Lucerne
Traits: Glyphosate tolerance
Australia
Name of product applicant: Monsanto Australia Ltd
Summary of application:
Two distinct lines of glyphosate-tolerant lucerne, J101 and J163, have been developed using the same transgene (cp4 epsps). Each line has a separate insertion event at different, independently segregating loci. These two events were then combined through conventional breeding methods to optimise the number of plants carrying at least one copy of the gene conferring herbicide tolerance. Glyphosate-tolerant lucerne populations will contain a mixture of plants containing transformation event J101, J163 and both J101 x J163 due to the genetics of lucerne breeding. Lucerne is an autotetraploid plant that is propagated by outcrossing and is adversely affected by inbreeding. Because of this, lucerne varieties are comprised of heterogeneous populations of lucerne breeding lines. In order to develop lucerne varieties displaying high trait purity while minimising inbreeding depression, a conventional breeding method has been developed that relies on glyphosate-tolerant plants carrying different, independently segregating transgenic events. The two independent events are subsequently combined via traditional F1 crossing between two non-related plants that each contains one of the independent events resulting in populations with more than 95% trait purity. The glyphosate tolerance trait in lucerne lines J101 and J163 is due to the expression of the bacterial enzyme 5-enolpyruvyl-3-shikimate phosphate synthase (EPSPS) from Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4. The EPSPS enzyme is present in all plants, bacteria and fungi and is essential for aromatic amino acid biosynthesis. The normal mode of action of glyphosate is to bind to the endogenous plant EPSPS, blocking its enzymatic activity which subsequently leads to the death of the plant. The bacterial EPSPS enzyme has a lower binding affinity for glyphosate, and therefore expression of CP4 EPSPS in the plant allows continued production of aromatic amino acids in the presence of the herbicide. Lucerne has a long history of use as animal forage and feed, both in grazing systems and as hay processed from cut and dried swards. Glyphosate-tolerant lucerne will enable the use of herbicides to provide effective weed control during forage and seed production. As weed infestations are a major limiting factor in the production of high-quality forage, superior weed control is expected to improve forage quality and allow higher yields. Availability of weed control at early, pre-plant, pre-emergence, and post-emergence timings will allow greater success in stand establishment and longer stand life. In Australia and New Zealand, food uses of lucerne are referred to as alfalfa. There is a long history of food use of alfalfa, primarily as sprouted seeds and in alfalfa teas. Alfalfa would be expected to be consumed in minor quantities and on an occasional basis.
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Date of authorization: 15/02/2007
Scope of authorization: Food
Links to the information on the same product in other databases maintained by relevant international organizations, as appropriate. (We recommend providing links to only those databases to which your country has officially contributed.): OECD BioTrack Database
Summary of the safety assessment (food safety):
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Where detection method protocols and appropriate reference material (non-viable, or in certain circumstances, viable) suitable for low-level situation may be obtained:
Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment: Application A575 - Food derived from Glyphosate- tolerant lucerne J101and J163
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Authorization expiration date (a blank field means there is no expiration date)
E-mail:
Organization/agency name (Full name):
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Contact person name:
Website:
Physical full address:
Level 4, 15 Lancaster Place, Majura Park ACT 2609, Australia
Phone number:
+61 2 6271 2222
Fax number:
+61 2 6271 2278
Country introduction:

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is the regulatory agency responsible for the development of food standards in Australia and New Zealand. The main office (approximately 115 staff) is located in Canberra (in the Australian Capital Territory) and the smaller New Zealand office (approximately 10 staff) is located in Wellington on the North Island.

Useful links
Relevant documents
Stacked events:

FSANZ does not: Separately assess food from stacked event lines where food from the GM parents has already been approved; Mandate notification of stacked events by developers; Notify the public of stacked event ‘approvals’; List food derived from stacked event lines in the Code, unless the stacked event line has been separately assessed as a single line e.g. Application A518: MXB-13 cotton (DAS-21023-5 x DAS-24236-5)

No separate approval or safety assessment is necessary for foods derived from a stacked GM line that is the result of traditional breeding between a number of GM parent lines for which food has already been approved. Food from the parent lines must be listed in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The parent lines may contain any number of different genes. If food from any of the GM parent lines has not been approved, then a full pre-market safety assessment of food from the stacked line must be undertaken.

No separate approval is required for food derived from a line that is the product of a GM line, for which food has been approved, crossed traditionally with a non-GM line.

Where a single line containing a number of genes has been produced as a result of direct gene technology methods (rather than traditional crossing) then food derived from the line must undergo a full pre-market safety assessment before approval can be given

Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) (http://www.foodstandards.gov.au)

Japan
Name of product applicant: Monsanto Japan Ltd.
Summary of application:

Alfalfa tolerant to glyphosate herbicide (cp4 epsps, Medicago sativa L.).

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Date of authorization: 14/10/2005
Scope of authorization: Food and feed
Links to the information on the same product in other databases maintained by relevant international organizations, as appropriate. (We recommend providing links to only those databases to which your country has officially contributed.): OECD BioTrack Product Database
Summary of the safety assessment (food safety):
Please see the links below (in Japanese).
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Where detection method protocols and appropriate reference material (non-viable, or in certain circumstances, viable) suitable for low-level situation may be obtained:
Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment: Food safety assessment performed by Food Safety Commission of Japan (in Japanese), Food
Food safety assessment performed by Food Safety Commission of Japan (in Japanese), Feed
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Authorization expiration date (a blank field means there is no expiration date)
E-mail:
Organization/agency name (Full name):
Food Safety Commission Secretariat,Cabinet Office,
Contact person name:
Kojiro Yokonuma
Website:
Physical full address:
Akasaka 5-2-20 Minato Ward,Tokyo,Japan
Phone number:
81 3 6234 1122
Fax number:
81 3 3584 7392
Country introduction:
Safety assessments of GM foods are mandatory under the Food Sanitation Law in Japan. The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) legally imposes safety assessments of GM foods so that those that have not undergone safety assessments would not be distributed in the country. MHLW receives application and requests the Food Safety COmmission of Japan (FSCJ) to evaluate the safety of GM foods in terms of human health. Safety assessments are carried out by FSCJ.
Useful links
Relevant documents
Stacked events:

With regard to stacked events, FSCJ conducts the safety assessment of GM food based on the “Policies Regarding the Safety Assessment of Stacked Varieties of Genetically Modified Plants”.

Even if single events that are stacked have already approved, some products will be considered as new products and some will not.

Please refer to Article 5 and 6 of the MHLW’s notice, which is available at the following URL, for the details.

http://www.mhlw.go.jp/file/06-Seisakujouhou-11130500-Shokuhinanzenbu/0000053519.pdf

Article 6 was modified in 2014, and the modified version is available at the following URL.

http://www.mhlw.go.jp/file/06-Seisakujouhou-11130500-Shokuhinanzenbu/0000049695.pdf

Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:

Food Safety Commission of Japan (http://www.fsc.go.jp/english/index.html), Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/food/index.html)

Malaysia
Name of product applicant: Monsanto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
Summary of application:

Please refer to the decision document of the National Biosafety Board.

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Date of authorization: 13/06/2022
Scope of authorization: Food and feed
Links to the information on the same product in other databases maintained by relevant international organizations, as appropriate. (We recommend providing links to only those databases to which your country has officially contributed.): Department of Biosafety Malaysia
CBD Biosafety Clearing House
Summary of the safety assessment (food safety):
Please refer to the Risk Assessment Report.
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Where detection method protocols and appropriate reference material (non-viable, or in certain circumstances, viable) suitable for low-level situation may be obtained:
Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment:
Upload:
Authorization expiration date (a blank field means there is no expiration date)
E-mail:
Organization/agency name (Full name):
Department of Biosafety Malaysia
Contact person name:
Dr. Anita Anthonysamy
Website:
Physical full address:
Department of Biosafety, Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Level 4, Block F11, Complex F Lebuh Perdana Timur, Precinct 1 62000 Putrajaya, Malaysia
Phone number:
+60380917322
Fax number:
+60380917371
Country introduction:

GM food safety assessment is a requirement by law under the Biosafety Act 2007 in Malaysia. The National Biosafety Board reviews and makes decisions on events based on a scientific/technical risk assessment, policy considerations as well as public input. The decisions and its related documents made are publicly available through the Malaysian Department of Biosafety Website and the Convention of Biological Diversity Biosafety Clearing House.

Useful links
Relevant documents
Stacked events:
Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:

Department of Biosafety, Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Level 4, Block F11, Complex F Lebuh Perdana Timur, Precinct 1 62000 Putrajaya, Malaysia. Email: [email protected]. Url: www. biosafety.gov.my

Food Safety and Quality Division, Ministry of Health, Level 4, Menara Prisma, No. 26, Persiaran Perdana, Putrajaya, Malaysia, 62675. Phone: +603 88850797 Fax: +603 88850790 Email: [email protected]
New Zealand
Name of product applicant: Monsanto Australia Ltd
Summary of application:

Two distinct lines of glyphosate-tolerant lucerne, J101 and J163, have been developed using the same transgene (cp4 epsps). Each line has a separate insertion event at different, independently segregating loci. These two events were then combined through conventional breeding methods to optimise the number of plants carrying at least one copy of the gene conferring herbicide tolerance. Glyphosate-tolerant lucerne populations will contain a mixture of plants containing transformation event J101, J163 and both J101 x J163 due to the genetics of lucerne breeding. Lucerne is an autotetraploid plant that is propagated by outcrossing and is adversely affected by inbreeding. Because of this, lucerne varieties are comprised of heterogeneous populations of lucerne breeding lines. In order to develop lucerne varieties displaying high trait purity while minimising inbreeding depression, a conventional breeding method has been developed that relies on glyphosate-tolerant plants carrying different, independently segregating transgenic events. The two independent events are subsequently combined via traditional F1 crossing between two non-related plants that each contains one of the independent events resulting in populations with more than 95% trait purity. The glyphosate tolerance trait in lucerne lines J101 and J163 is due to the expression of the bacterial enzyme 5-enolpyruvyl-3-shikimate phosphate synthase (EPSPS) from Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4. The EPSPS enzyme is present in all plants, bacteria and fungi and is essential for aromatic amino acid biosynthesis. The normal mode of action of glyphosate is to bind to the endogenous plant EPSPS, blocking its enzymatic activity which subsequently leads to the death of the plant. The bacterial EPSPS enzyme has a lower binding affinity for glyphosate, and therefore expression of CP4 EPSPS in the plant allows continued production of aromatic amino acids in the presence of the herbicide. Lucerne has a long history of use as animal forage and feed, both in grazing systems and as hay processed from cut and dried swards. Glyphosate-tolerant lucerne will enable the use of herbicides to provide effective weed control during forage and seed production. As weed infestations are a major limiting factor in the production of high-quality forage, superior weed control is expected to improve forage quality and allow higher yields. Availability of weed control at early, pre-plant, pre-emergence, and post-emergence timings will allow greater success in stand establishment and longer stand life. In Australia and New Zealand, food uses of lucerne are referred to as alfalfa. There is a long history of food use of alfalfa, primarily as sprouted seeds and in alfalfa teas. Alfalfa would be expected to be consumed in minor quantities and on an occasional basis.

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Date of authorization: 11/05/2007
Scope of authorization: Food
Links to the information on the same product in other databases maintained by relevant international organizations, as appropriate. (We recommend providing links to only those databases to which your country has officially contributed.): OECD BioTrack Product Database
Summary of the safety assessment (food safety):
FSANZ has completed a comprehensive safety assessment of food derived from glyphosate tolerant lucerne J101 and J163, as required under Standard 1.5.2 in the Code. The assessment included consideration of (i) the genetic modification to the plant; (ii) the potential toxicity and allergenicity of the novel protein; and (iii) the composition of glyphosate-tolerant lucerne J101 and J163 compared with that of conventional lucerne. The assessment of this Application identified no public health and safety concerns. On the basis of the available evidence, including detailed studies provided by the Applicant, food derived from glyphosate-tolerant lucerne J101 and J163 is considered as safe and wholesome as food derived from other commercial lucerne varieties.
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Where detection method protocols and appropriate reference material (non-viable, or in certain circumstances, viable) suitable for low-level situation may be obtained:
Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment: Application A575 - Food derived from Glyphosate- tolerant lucerne J101and J163
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Authorization expiration date (a blank field means there is no expiration date)
E-mail:
Organization/agency name (Full name):
Ministry for Primary Industries
Contact person name:
john vandenbeuken
Website:
Physical full address:
Pastoral House, 25 The Terrace, Wellington, 6012
Phone number:
0298942581
Fax number:
Country introduction:

New Zealand and Australia share a joint food regulation system for the composition of labelling of most foods. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is the regulatory agency responsible for the development of the joint food standards in Australia and New Zealand. The main office (approximately 120 staff) is located in Canberra (in the Australian Capital Territory) and the smaller New Zealand office (approximately 15 staff) is located in Wellington on the North Island.

Useful links
Relevant documents
Stacked events:

FSANZ does not: Separately assess food from stacked event lines where food from the GM parents has already been approved; Mandate notification of stacked events by developers; Notify the public of stacked event ‘approvals’; List food derived from stacked event lines in the Code, unless the stacked event line has been separately assessed as a single line e.g. Application A518: MXB-13 cotton (DAS-21023-5 x DAS-24236-5)

Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) (http://www.foodstandards.gov.au)

Philippines
Name of product applicant: Monsanto Philippines
Summary of application:
Monsanto had developed varieties from Roundup Ready alfalfa that contain events J101 and J163 and are tolerant to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup agricultural herbicides. Roundup Ready alfalfa varieties were developed using Agrobacterium mediated transformation to stably incorporate into the alfalfa genome a coding sequence that produces a glyphosate-tolerant form of the enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). This glyphosate-tolerant EPSPS was originally identified in the soil microorganism, Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4 and is designated as CP4EPSPS.
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Date of authorization: 09/08/2011
Scope of authorization: Food and feed
Links to the information on the same product in other databases maintained by relevant international organizations, as appropriate. (We recommend providing links to only those databases to which your country has officially contributed.):
Summary of the safety assessment (food safety):
Monsanto Philippines, Inc. has filed an application with attached technical dossiers to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) for a biosafety permit for direct use as food, feed and for processing under Administrative Order (AO) No. 8 Part 5 for Alfalfa events J101 and J163 which has been genetically modified for herbicide tolerance. Alfalfa Events J101 and J163 have been evaluated according to BPI’s safety assessment by concerned agencies [Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Bureau of Agriculture, Fisheries and Product Standards (BAFPS) and Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP)] members. The process involves an intensive analysis of the nature of the genetic modification together with the consideration of safety assessment paradigm which includes molecular characterization, protein characterization, and food/feed composition. The petitioner/applicant published the said application in two (2) widely circulated newspapers: for public comment/review. During the 30-day comment period, BPI had not received comment on the said application. Review of results of evaluation by the BPI Biotech Core Team completed the approval process.
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Where detection method protocols and appropriate reference material (non-viable, or in certain circumstances, viable) suitable for low-level situation may be obtained:
Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment:
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Authorization expiration date (a blank field means there is no expiration date)
E-mail:
Organization/agency name (Full name):
Bureau of Plant Industry
Contact person name:
Geronima P. Eusebio
Website:
Physical full address:
San Andres St., Malate, Manila
Phone number:
632 404 0409 loc 203
Fax number:
Country introduction:

In 1987, scientists from the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Quarantine Officer of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and the Director for Crops of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), recognizing the potential harm of the introduction of exotic species and genetic engineering, formed a committee and formulated the biosafety protocols and guidelines for genetic engineering and related research activities for UPLB and IRRI researchers. The committee went on to draft a Philippine biosafety policy, which was submitted to the Office of the President. On October 15, 1990, recognizing the potential for modern biotechnology both in improving the lives of the people and in creating hazards if not handled properly, President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order 430 creating the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) that will formulate, review and amend national policy on biosafety and formulate guidelines on the conduct of activities on genetic engineering. The NCBP is comprised of representative of the Departments of Agriculture (DA); Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Health (DOH); and Science and Technology (DOST), 4 scientists in biology, environmental science, social science and physical science; and 2 respected members of the community. On July 16, 2001, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued the Policy Statement on Modern Biotechnology, reiterating the government policy on promoting the safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology. On April 3, 2002, Department of Agriculture Administrative Order No. 8, Series of 2002 was issued implementing the guidelines for importation and release into the environment of Plants and Plant Products Derived from the Use of Modern Biotechnology. On March 17, 2006, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order No.514 Establishing the National Biosafety Framework, prescribing guidelines for its implementation, reorganizing the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines, and for other purposes. On December 8, 2015, the Philippine Supreme Court declared DA AO8 null and void and any application for contained use, field testing, propagation and commercialization, and importation of GMOs was temporarily enjoined. In response to the nullification of DA AO8, the Technical Working Group composed of representatives from the Departments of Agriculture (DA), Science and Technology (DOST), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Health (DOH), and Interior and Local Government (DILG) drafted the Joint Department Circular No. 1, Series of 2016 (JDC No.1, S2016) titled 'Rules and Regulations for the Research and Development, Handling and Use, Transboundary Movement, Release into the Environment, and Management of Genetically-Modified Plant and Plant Products Derived from the Use of Modern Biotechnology'. There were series of meeting and five public consultations conducted before the JDC No.1, S2016 was approved and signed by the Secretaries of the abovementioned agencies on March 7, 2016 and took effect on April 15, 2016. Under this Circular, more government agencies were involved such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to regulate applications for contained use and confined test of regulated articles; Department of Agriculture (DA) to evaluate applications for field trial, commercial propagation and transboundary movement of regulated articles; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to evaluate environmental risks and impacts of regulated articles; Department of Health (DOH) to evaluate of environmental health impacts of regulated articles; and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to supervise public consultation during field trial.

 

Useful links
Relevant documents
Stacked events:

Gene stacking in plants can be conferred either through genetic engineering or conventional breeding A full risk assessment as to food and feed or for processing shall be conducted to plant products carrying stacked genes conferred through genetic engineering or conventional breeding, where the individual traits have no prior approval for direct use as food and feed or processing from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) A desktop or documentary risk assessment on the possible or expected interactions between the genes shall be conducted for stacked gene products with multiple traits conferred through conventional breeding and individual events granted prior approval by the Bureau of Plant Industry.

 

Plant Products Carrying Stacked Genes Conferred Through (a) Genetic Engineering or b) Conventional Breeding, with Individual Traits That Have No Prior Approval:

A full risk assessnent as to  food and feed or processing shall be conducted,consistent with Part V of AO No. 8,"Approval Process For the Importation of Regulated Articles for Direct Use as Food and Feed or For Processing for plant products with multiple traits conferred through:

(a) genetic engineering, or

(b) conventional breeding, where the individual traits have no prior approval from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) for direct use as food and feed or processing.

Plant Products Carrying Stacked Genes Conferred through Conventional Breeding:

For plant products with multiple traits conferred through conventional breeding,with all individual events granted prior approval and included in the Approval Registry, a notlfication shall be submitted by the technology developer to the BPI, which shall conduct an evaluation in accordance with the relevant criteria in Annex I of this Memorandum Circular. The list of data contained in Annex I will not preclude the inclusion of other issues and concerns that will be raised by the BPI and the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) during the course of the desktop review.

Notificatlon Requirement for Plant Products Carrying Stacked Genes

All technology developers shall submit a notification to the Bureau of Plant Industry of their developed plant products carrying stacked genes and shall be required to comply with the relevant approval process listed above.

The Bureau of Plant Industry shall issue a certiflcate as to the approval of the stacked gene product and shall likewise include the transformation event in the official approval registry of plant products for food and feed or processing.

Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:

Bureau of Plant Industry 692 San Andres St, Malate, Manila 1004

Republic of Korea
Name of product applicant: Monsanto Korea Ltd.
Summary of application:

Glyphosate herbicide tolerance

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Date of authorization: 20/10/2017
Scope of authorization: Food and feed
Links to the information on the same product in other databases maintained by relevant international organizations, as appropriate. (We recommend providing links to only those databases to which your country has officially contributed.):
Summary of the safety assessment (food safety):
Please see the link below(in Korean).
Upload:
Where detection method protocols and appropriate reference material (non-viable, or in certain circumstances, viable) suitable for low-level situation may be obtained:
Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment:
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Authorization expiration date (a blank field means there is no expiration date)
E-mail:
Organization/agency name (Full name):
Ministry of Food and Drug Safety
Contact person name:
Website:
Physical full address:
Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187, Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Cheongwon-gun, Chungcheonbuk-do, 363-700, Korea
Phone number:
82-43-719-2360
Fax number:
Country introduction:
Useful links
Relevant documents
Stacked events:
Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:
Singapore
Name of product applicant: Monsanto
Summary of application:

Apply for use as constituent of animal feed

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Date of authorization: 21/03/2012
Scope of authorization: Feed
Links to the information on the same product in other databases maintained by relevant international organizations, as appropriate. (We recommend providing links to only those databases to which your country has officially contributed.):
Summary of the safety assessment (food safety):
Alfalfa J101 (MON-00101-8) and J163 (MON-00163-7) have been genetically modified to tolerate the herbicide glyphosate through the transfer of the cp4 epsps gene (derived from Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4) to a alfalfa clone, R2336. Two different cp4 epsps insertion events, known as J101 and J163, were selected and combined through a conventional breeding process. Glyphosate-tolerant alfalfa plants may contain transformation event J101, J163 or both J101 and J163. The cp4 epsps gene encodes a version of the enzyme 5-enolpyruvyl-3-shikimatephosphate synthase (CP4 EPSPS) that continues to function in the biochemical pathway producing aromatic amino acids in a plant that has been applied with glyphosate. Molecular analyses showed that the transferred genes are stably integrated into the plant genome as single copies at different insertion sites, and are inherited in subsequent generations according to the patterns of inheritance. CP4 EPSPS protein is not toxic and does not have the potential to be allergenic in humans. Compositional analyses showed that forage from J101 and J163 is considered to be compositionally similar to forage from the control and commercially available alfalfa varieties. J101 and J163 are considered as substantially equivalent to their non-GM counterparts.
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Where detection method protocols and appropriate reference material (non-viable, or in certain circumstances, viable) suitable for low-level situation may be obtained:
Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment:
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Authorization expiration date (a blank field means there is no expiration date)
E-mail:
Organization/agency name (Full name):
Singapore Food Agency (SFA)
Contact person name:
Dr Tan Yong Quan
Website:
Physical full address:
52 Jurong Gateway Road 14-01 JEM Office Tower Singapore 608550
Phone number:
(65)68052750
Fax number:
Country introduction:

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is a Statutory Board established under the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) to oversee food safety and security. SFA’s mission is to ensure and secure a supply of safe food.  SFA adopts a risk-based approach to food safety. Foods with foodborne hazards that may pose potential food safety risks to consumers are subjected to more stringent checks, regardless of their country of origin. SFA has in place an integrated system to ensure that both imported and domestically produced foods are safe for consumption.  The system comprises control measures such as source accreditation, inspection and surveillance of food, laboratory analysis, food legislation and recall of food products, which safeguard food safety from farm to fork.

Useful links
Relevant documents
Stacked events:

More information on the guidelines for the safety assessment of stacked events can be found on GMAC’s website:

http://www.gmac.sg/Index_Singapore_Guidelines_on_the_Release_of_Agriculture_Related_GMOs.html

Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:

Singapore Food Agency (SFA)

United States of America
Name of product applicant: Monsanto Company and Forage Genetics
Summary of application:
Alfalfa
Trait 1 Added Protein: 5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS)
Source: Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4
Intended Effect: Tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate
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Date of authorization: 10/12/2004
Scope of authorization: Food and feed
Links to the information on the same product in other databases maintained by relevant international organizations, as appropriate. (We recommend providing links to only those databases to which your country has officially contributed.):
Summary of the safety assessment (food safety):
Please consult the FDA website links below.
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Where detection method protocols and appropriate reference material (non-viable, or in certain circumstances, viable) suitable for low-level situation may be obtained:
Relevant links to documents and information prepared by the competent authority responsible for the safety assessment: FDA's webpage regarding this variety
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Authorization expiration date (a blank field means there is no expiration date)
E-mail:
Organization/agency name (Full name):
Food and Drug Administration
Contact person name:
Jason Dietz
Website:
Physical full address:
5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park MD 20740
Phone number:
240-402-2282
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The United States is currently in the process of populating this database. The Food and Drug Administration regulates food and feed (food for humans and animals) from genetically engineered crops in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA regulates pesticides, including those that are plant incorporated protectants genetically engineered into food crops, to make sure that pesticide residues are safe for human and animal consumption and do not pose unreasonable risks of harm to human health or the environment. FDA In the Federal Register of May 29, 1992 (57 FR 22984), FDA published its "Statement of Policy: Foods Derived from New Plant Varieties" (the 1992 policy). The 1992 policy clarified the agency's interpretation of the application of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to human and animal foods derived from new plant varieties and provided guidance to industry on scientific and regulatory issues related to these foods. The 1992 policy applied to all foods derived from all new plant varieties, including varieties that are developed using genetic engineering (also known as recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) technology). In the 1992 policy, FDA recommended that developers consult with FDA about foods from genetically engineered plants under development and developers have routinely done so. In June 1996, FDA provided additional guidance to industry on procedures for these consultations (the consultation procedures). These procedures describe a process in which a developer who intends to commercialize food from a genetically engineered plant meets with the agency to identify and discuss relevant safety, nutritional, or other regulatory issues regarding the genetically engineered food and then submits to FDA a summary of its scientific and regulatory assessment of the food. FDA evaluates the submission and if FDA has questions about the summary provided, it requests clarification from the developer. At the conclusion of the consultation FDA responds to the developer by letter. The approach to the safety assessment of genetically engineered food recommended by FDA during consultations, including data and information evaluated, is consistent with that described in the Codex Alimentarius Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Plants. EPA The safe use of pesticidal substances is regulated by EPA. Food from a genetically engineered plant that is the subject of a consultation with FDA may contain an introduced pesticidal substance, also known as a plant-incorporated protectant (PIP), that is subject to food (food for humans and animals) safety and environmental review by EPA. PIPs are pesticidal substances produced by plants and the genetic material necessary for the plant to produce the substance. Both the PIP protein and its genetic material are regulated by EPA. When assessing the potential risks of PIPs, EPA requires studies examining numerous factors, such as risks to human health, non-target organisms and the environment, potential for gene flow, and insect resistance management plans, if needed. In regulating PIPs, decisions are based on scientific standards and input from academia, industry, other Federal agencies, and the public. Before the first PIP product was registered in 1995, EPA required that PIP products be thoroughly tested against human safety standards before they were used on human food and livestock feed crops. EPA scientists assessed a wide variety of potential effects associated with the use of PIPs, including toxicity, and allergenicity. These potential effects were evaluated in light of the public's potential exposures to these pesticides, taking into account all potential combined sources of the exposure (food, drinking water, etc.) to determine the likelihood that a person exposed at these levels would be predisposed to a health risk. Based on its reviews of the scientific studies and often peer reviews by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Scientific Advisory Panel, EPA determined that these genetically engineered PIP products, when used in accordance with approved label directions and use restrictions, would not pose unreasonable risk to human health and the environment during their time-limited registration.

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Stacked events:

Stacked events that are each plant incorporated protectants, as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency, must be registered by the Envriornmental Protection Agency before they can be commercialized.  Food/feed safety asssessment of single events are generally sufficient to ensure the safety of food/feed from stacked events.   

Contact details of the competent authority(s) responsible for the safety assessment and the product applicant:

Food and Drug Administration ([email protected]); Environmental Protection Agency