On 4 June 2025, the Board of Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) approved a proposal to update definitions for genetically modified (GM) food in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code).
The relevant ministers in each country will now have 60 days to consider that decision.
The new definitions came about as a result of new and emerging breeding technologies, currently not defined in the legislation. If the proposal is passed, methods that do not introduce foreign DNA will be exempt from the definition. In turn, food and beverages produced, or containing ingredients produced, from these new technologies will not be considered GMO under the Code, based on the premise that they are essentially equivalent to any conventionally bred food or beverage.
Eliminating these emerging technologies from the definition would pave the way for the commercialisation of vines produced using “DNA-free” methods of CRISPR editing, where disease susceptibility genes are removed from the genome. It could be a game changer for the future of viticulture introducing a more efficient way of creating disease resistance than traditional cross-breeding with non-vinifera grapevine species, and significant savings in costs and emissions due to the elimination of multiple fungicide applications. There would also be opportunities for the use of these technologies in winery yeast leading to improve processing efficiencies and/or enhanced wine flavour.
It remains the Australian wine industry’s position that no genetically modified organisms be used in the production of wine. With our definition of GMO being consistent with the Code, if the change proposal is accepted, current industry policy would change as a result. It is our intention to consult with both industry and our technical advisory committee on whether an industry policy change or further guidance on the use of these technologies in commercial viticulture and winemaking is required. Consideration will be given to trade implications and public acceptance.
Global acceptance of new breeding techniques is a complex and rapidly evolving area. Until international regulation catches up, market access for wines made using grapes or processing ingredients derived from “DNA-free” gene editing may be compromised in some trading nations. The OIV is the international organisation that seeks to harmonise practices and standards in grape and wine industries around the world. The OIV hasn’t yet issued a separate protocol for “DNA-free” gene editing that explicitly exempts it from their general “genetic transformation” protocol. It is likely that as more countries adopt a “non-GMO” classification for “DNA-free” gene-edited plants, the OIV will engage in further discussions to address the matter.
