| One of the criteria for registration of low
risk products is that all the ingredients are generally regarded as safe (GRAS). This is a
concept used in some countries to identify substances that have been assessed as
ingredients in many products and found in all cases to be safe. It simplifies the
assessment process by eliminating those substances from extensive and repetitive
assessment.
Most of the substances that have been classified as GRAS are very
common ingredients, such as sodium chloride, but also include substances such as
emulsifiers, surfactants and wetting or sticking agents.
MAF intends to develop a GRAS list for New Zealand, using both its
experience on registering products here and the established GRAS lists in countries that
import significant quantities of New Zealand primary produce. MAF has already advised that
it intends to create such a list for common feed additives for inclusion in oral
nutritional compounds but it also intends to create a second more comprehensive list to
cover common ingredients in animal remedies or pesticides.
MAF is developing the concept and how it will create the lists.
Whatever the process is there will be a significant consultation component and the
resulting lists will be published and regularly updated. The outcome must be conservative
and cautious to ensure that only certain to be safe substances are included. Nevertheless,
MAF will ensure that new evidence questioning the safety of any substance on the list will
be acted upon quickly.
While the GRAS lists will eliminate unnecessary and redundant
assessment, extreme care will be taken to avoid risks to the public, animal welfare or the
reputation of New Zealand primary produce.
It is intended that the GRAS system will be presented for public
consultation in the next issue of AgVetLink. If you wish to make any comments on
MAF's intention, please send them to:
Chris Boland
Special Adviser (Technical Policy)
MAF Regulatory Authority
Post Office Box 2526
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND
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