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Answers

Question

What do you think is the most likely reason that labeling in EU is mandatory? Its about legal structure, or mere myth and collective fear?

Submitted by: Schmicht


Answer

Expert response from Katarzyna Jasik

Communications Manager, Agricultural Biotechnology, EuropaBio

Wednesday, 01/07/2015 11:46

EU legislation on labeling has existed since 1997, when the first regulation on novel food came into force. In 2003 the EU replaced it with a new regulation on genetically modified food and feed, N. 1829/2003. Since then, all genetically modified foods and ingredients must be clearly labeled if they are present as an ingredient above 0.9 percent of the total ingredient. The foods made from animals consuming GM feed, however, such as meats, eggs and dairy products, do not require labeling.

 

In Europe, GM labeling intends to offer information and is not connected to safety, given that all GMOs used in food and feed have had to be authorized prior to their use and therefore have to have been proven safe by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

 

On the website of the European Commission, you can read that the legislation aims at giving consumers freedom of choice and insuring the traceability of GMOs in case a product needs to be withdrawn, which to date has never occurred.

Answer

Expert response from Katarzyna Jasik

Communications Manager, Agricultural Biotechnology, EuropaBio

Wednesday, 01/07/2015 11:46

EU legislation on labeling has existed since 1997, when the first regulation on novel food came into force. In 2003 the EU replaced it with a new regulation on genetically modified food and feed, N. 1829/2003. Since then, all genetically modified foods and ingredients must be clearly labeled if they are present as an ingredient above 0.9 percent of the total ingredient. The foods made from animals consuming GM feed, however, such as meats, eggs and dairy products, do not require labeling.

 

In Europe, GM labeling intends to offer information and is not connected to safety, given that all GMOs used in food and feed have had to be authorized prior to their use and therefore have to have been proven safe by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

 

On the website of the European Commission, you can read that the legislation aims at giving consumers freedom of choice and insuring the traceability of GMOs in case a product needs to be withdrawn, which to date has never occurred.