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Implications of labeling guidelines for multi-national food companies |
S. K. HARLANDER, BIOrational Consultants, Inc, 3215 Linden Dr., New Brighton, MN 55112 In 2001, 26% of the corn, and almost 70% of the soybeans and cotton grown in the U.S. were genetically modified (GM) varieties. These crops are processed through commodity food channels into thousands of ingredients used in the manufacture of retail and food service products. It has been estimated that over 70% of all processed foods contain at least one corn or soy ingredient that could have been derived from GM sources. Since these crops are considered substantially equivalent to their conventionally bred counterparts, no labeling is required in the U.S. This is not the case in many other countries which require the labeling of any food containing greater than a threshold level (1% in the EU) of a single GM ingredient. Due to perceived consumer concern, food companies avoid the use of GM ingredients in products to be marketed outside of the U.S. to avoid labeling. However, to ensure the accuracy of their labels, food companies seek assurances from their suppliers that ingredients have been processed from non-GM crops and that these crops have been adequately segregated and tested for the presence/absence of GM material throughout the food supply chain. This presentation will focus on the implications of labeling of GM foods for multi-national food companies. It will include a discussion of identity preservation, chain of custody documentation, traceability, detection methods for GM ingredients, and the potential cost and liability issues associated with segregation and labeling of GM foods in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Session 41, Developments in international regulations and labeling requirements for materials derived from biotechnology
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