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Furore over GM foods norms; FSSAI finds them essential
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Friday, 11 March, 2022, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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The matter related to the proposed regulations for Genetically Modified Food Products seems to have created a furore amongst civil society, which reportedly has made several contentions with the FSSAI.
The Food Authority was said to have in receipt, a large number of representations against the proposed regulation on GM food products expressing concerns.
However, FSSAI officials say that GM food items are already available in the market, like soybean oil. Besides, there are GM enzymes that are currently in use in the food industry. And therefore, there was a greater need to regulate GM food and its derivatives.
According to the experts there are several opinions and some activists are completely opposing the regulation framed by FSSAI.
FSSAI has not banned GMO products but has been directing FBOs to seek permission from the Authorities before importing any GMO products. FSSAI understands the effect of GMOs on the environment and the health of the consumers. Hence, experts suggest that initially starting by implementing the system of seeking approval can be improvised later to completely ban the use of such ingredients. Seeking approvals allows the authorities to know the amount of GM ingredients imported in the country and then consider alternatives to replace the use of GM products.
Ashwin Bhadri, CEO, Equinox Labs, says that the opinion of stakeholders is necessary, but the opinion of the consumers too should have been considered. Similar to the other campaigns creating awareness, the consumers should have been educated about the GM ingredients to allow them to know the impact and the consequences of the consumption.
Meanwhile, the proposed regulations lay rules applicable to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or Genetically Engineered Organisms (GEOs) or Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) intended for direct use as food or for processing, and food or processed food containing Genetically Modified ingredients produced from but not containing LMOs or GEOs or GMOs.
According to the draft, ‘No person shall manufacture, store, distribute, sell or import in the country any food or food ingredient, as the case may be, derived from Genetically Modified Organisms, except with the prior approval of the Food Authority.'
Further, all food products having individual Genetically Engineered ingredient 1% or more shall be labelled and shall be as: ‘Contains GMO/Ingredients derived from GMO'.
The draft also specifies the procedure for grant of prior approval which says that a prior approval for environment safety was needed from GEAC in case food contains living modified organisms. In case of food that does not contain living modified organisms but is genetically modified or engineered food, application can be submitted to FSSAI directly.
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