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European Union controls on the use of genetically modified foods and ingredients |
P. BERRY OTTAWAY, Berry Ottaway & Associates, Ltd., 1A Fields Yard, Plough Lane, Hereford, HR4 0EL, England The European Union (EU) has had controls on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) since 1990 and was one of the first to introduce such controls. The 1990 legislation gave the circumstances under which GMOs required official consent before release into the environment or use in container systems. There were controls on the growth and marketing of plants, animals, and microorganisms produced by genetic modification. In early 1997 a new law was introduced which required the official review and approval of all foods and food ingredients derived from GMOs. This law excluded food additives, flavorings, and extraction solvents, which were already covered by other legislation. In the five years since the law came into force, very few GM foods and ingredients have been approved. In 1998 further laws were passed requiring labeling to indicate that GM soya or maize was in the product if GM protein or DNA could be detected in the food. These laws were later expanded to include food additives and flavorings. The original 1990 laws were revoked in April 2001 and replaced by new legislation that imposed even greater control on the growing of GMOs and also increased the scientific data requirements for the official approval. About the same time the European Commission proposed new laws that would require the official authorization and subsequent registration of all GMO derived foods, ingredients, and additives, regardless of whether or not they contain GM protein or DNA. All registered GMO derivatives would be subjected to legal requirements for 100% traceability from the actual GM transformation through to the consumer. The documented traceability would have to be applied to each batch. The proposed new laws will require labeling of all foods containing ingredients and additives with a heritage of GM technology, including those derived from fermentation processes.
Session 41, Developments in international regulations and labeling requirements for materials derived from biotechnology
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