Labeling


What is the purpose of the label?

Currently, labels provide consumers with nutritional and health safety information. Labels can also be used for marketing and promotional purposes.

The labeling policy for products derived from GM crops is under intense debate. Right now, countries have three choices: mandatory, voluntary, or no labeling (status quo). Most countries are leaning towards some kind of labeling, whether it is mandatory or voluntary. However, many food producers argue that labeling these products is another unnecessary burden passed on to them. These products, after all, have undergone various levels of biosafety and risk assessment tests. On the other hand, consumers argue and insist on their basic right to know what they are eating. Labeling will give them a certain degree of confidence to make an informed choice.

Labeling policies and regulations are complex, especially if the starting point of labeling includes the process rather than the final product. Current labeling regulations require labels for all foods (whether GM or not) if there is a change in nutritional composition or if an added component is toxic or allergenic. These regulations are based on the chemical characteristics of the food product and not on the way the product was made.

Right now, the decision to label GM products is not so much related to the actual safety of the product, but rather on the “fear” alluded to such products. It may take some time to correlate the issue of labeling with safety of the GM products as determined by scientific protocols and tests. Effective labeling requires the existence of standards, testing, certification, and enforcement services. Governments must ensure that the quality standards are clear and achievable. They must ensure that testing services are available to measure validity of labeling claims and that a mechanism for enforcing labeling rules exist, including a mechanism to punish producers who make false claims.

Related articles:

  1. International approaches to labeling - View
  2. Pocket K No. 7 - Labeling GM Foods - View
Home :: Global Status :: CBT Update :: Info Resource :: Events :: BICs :: Directory :: About Us :: Editorial Policy

Copyright © 2006. CropBiotech Net.