Australians could soon be eating new varieties of genetically modified corn and soybeans, after biotechnology company Monsanto lodged applications for approval with the food regulator.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand will spend up to a year reviewing the applications, and asking the community for feedback.
Monsanto's soybean product protects the plant against insect attack, and the corn is genetically modified to be more tolerant to drought.
The plants will be grown in North America, but if the application is approved, the products can be imported to Australia as an ingredient.
Monsanto's application for approval is likely to be lodged with other countries, so the product has global approval.
FZANZ says it has no safety concerns with the corn product, MON87460, and favours its approval.
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