GM Statement and Policy
There are no genetically modified maize hybrids and wheat varieties grown in Australasia.
"New Zealand Starch Ltd’s policy is to use only non-genetically modified ingredients and raw materials and to ensure from crop to finished product that the Identity Preserved state remains intact." This practice and associated processes have been externally approved for Valid IT.
This means for LABELLING under Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) the following applies for all products that we sell:
“This product does not require labeling as a genetically modified food in accordance with Food Standard 1.5.2 -foods produced using gene technology".
How do we achieve this status?
SEED
We use only traditional seed, bred conventionally on our behalf.
SOWING AND HARVESTING
New Zealand Starch Ltd contracts for grain are grown under an identity preserved system, which preserves the genetic integrity of the grain. To ensure our integrity we carry out crop inspection and selectively carry out audits to check farm hygiene, spraying regimes, and isolation issues.
TRACEABILITY
At Auckland, from a given batch number of finished product we know what day this was made. We then estimate the day maize entered our plant. We can then trace whether it came from a Silo or directly from a farmer. Either way we have records of what seed that farmer planted. In turn our ISO 9001 accredited breeder has full traceability on seed lots. This defines where grown, area, yields, detassling count, male and female parent seeds.
COLLECTION, TRANSPORT AND STORAGE
Cleaning standards are in place for all trailers, trucks and equipment moving maize. The silos are dedicated to maize. In NZ wet maize in season is harvested and transported directly to our plant in Auckland or dried before storage in dedicated silos.
This gives us the opportunity to PCR test incoming maize either from silos or directly from the farm.
PROCESSING - AUCKLAND (regular, waxy and high amylose)
Avon Maize Starch, Avongel Polar, NZ Batter starch, MD 28 syrup, Avonmalt, Avondex, Avonsweet, A2131, A2130, Maize Mouldex, Pencling 570, Mazaca, SA Batter starch, Avonset, MJB 13NZ, Avon 30E, Avon 31E, Avon 51E, A2151 and A2150 syrup are primarily made from conventionally bred NZ maize or occasionally from imported GM-free maize or starch. Again we PCR test incoming corn and copies of the results are available on request. AsureQuality, using real time quantitative PCR technology, independently test these samples. No genetically modified enzyme is used at this site nor is GM corn grown commercially in New Zealand or Australia. Waxy corn is grown in New Zealand and Australia. High amylose corn is imported from Australia.
INDENTED PRODUCTS
Tapioca is not known to be genetically modified. The source of this is Thailand or Vietnam. Fieldose 10, 17 and 30, Dextrose Monohydrate are all imported from a variety of countries. These processed products when included in a food do not require labeling as genetically modified food in accordance with Food Standard 1.5.2 (FSANZ) since they contain no "foreign" DNA or protein. We are loathe to invest in expensive PCR testing of highly processed starches or syrups since it is reasonably well established that their production destroys DNA and protein. However we attempted to find DNA in indented maltodextrins and dextrose without success. A letter to this effect is available on request. However we have not tested Tapioca largely for expense reasons nor would we know what to look for.
Date of Issue: September 2009
As indicated above, New Zealand Starch Ltd is in a position to demonstrate that we have taken the appropriate measures to avoid the presence of “adventitious genetically modified organisms or material”, in our products. Further, “technically unavoidable situations” potentially causing the presence of such organisms will be notified to interested parties and monitored to ensure compliance with NZ Regulations, FSANZ Standards and ‘GM Food and Feed Regulations (EC) No. 1829/2003’.
Mike Ringrose
Technical Manager
New Zealand Starch Ltd