Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit a new genetically modified source organism for the production of a human identical milk oligosaccharide to be used in infant formula products. The public consultation is open until March 22, 2024.

The ingredient, 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), is a non-digestible carbohydrate found naturally in human milk. It is used as a nutritive substance in infant formula products at levels consistent with those found in human milk.

FSANZ’s safety assessment concluded there were no public health and safety concerns associated with the application, and that the applicant’s 2′-FL is chemically and structurally identical to the naturally occurring substance present in human milk and other 2′-FL already assessed and permitted by FSANZ.