Are GM foods safe to eat?
All foods carry benefits in the form of nutrients and, in some cases, risks in the form of toxins and allergens. Foods can be toxic or harmful to people with certain intolerances, or allergies, or to anyone who consumes them in excessive quantities. For this reason, no food can be guaranteed to be absolutely safe for all people in all circumstances. There has not so far been a single report of any GM food causing adverse health effects in humans. Consumers in the United States have eaten GM foods since about 1993 and Australian consumers have been consuming GM ingredients in a range of processed foods since about 1996. However, the long-term impact of GM foods on human health is unknown because they are still relatively new to the diet. GM foods are required to undergo a safety assessment by Food Standards Australia New Zealand before they can be sold in Australia and New Zealand. The assessments rigorously examine the allergenicity, toxicity and nutritional value of GM foods to determ
