15. Labelling issues

In the UK, labelling issues are addressed by the Food Advisory Committee (FAC). this committee published a set of guidelines for determining whether a food containing material from a GMO should be labelled.

the provisions for labelling in the new European Regulations are as follows:

1. specific labelling requirements shall apply to ensure that the consumer is informed of:

• any characteristics or food property, such as composition, nutritional value or nutritional effects, or intended use of food, which renders a novel food or food ingredient significantly different from an existing food or food ingredient. in such a case, the labelling must mention the characteristics or properties modified, accompanied by a method by which that characteristic or property was obtained;
• the presence in the novel food or food ingredient of material which is not present in an existing equivalent foodstuff, and which may have implications for the health of certain sections of the populations
• the presence in the novel food or food ingredient of material which is not present in an existing equivalent foodstuff and which may give rise to ethical concerns.
• the presence in the food or food ingredient of a genetically modified organism within the meaning of Directive 90/220/EEC if, according to a committee (European Standing Committee on Foodstuffs) decision under Article 13, it does not corresspond solely to modification of its agricultural characteristics.

2. in the absence of existing equivalent food or food ingredient, appropriate provisions shall be adopted where neccessary in order to ensure that consumers are adequately informed of the nature of the food or food ingredient.

Reference:

Institute of Food Science and Technology (UK). Labelling issues. Guide to Food Technology. Year 1996. Chapter 9.Pages 51,52.