EU regulation of genetically modified organisms: Food and feed, traceability and labelling

Abstract

The European Commission has proposed two new regulations to deal with the labelling and traceability of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). These deal with both food and animal feed. The intention is to provide information to the consumer, to ensure transparency of GM ingredients in the food chain and to encourage the unblocking of an (unofficial) moratorium on GM crops. This paper describes where the proposals are in the EU system, the issues and the problems industry will face if they are implemented in their present format.