EC Regulation on GM soya and maize labelling

Citation

Jukes, D. (1999), "EC Regulation on GM soya and maize labelling", British Food Journal, Vol. 101 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/bfj.1999.070101dab.002

EC Regulation on GM soya and maize labelling

Following last year’s consultation on the proposed draft regulations for the enforcement of EC Regulation 1139/98 on the labelling of foods containing ingredients produced from GM soya and maize, a number of responses were received from the catering sector identifying some practical difficulties with the original proposal.

Having considered the matter further, Ministers proposed a number of amendments which would allow an element of flexibility for labelling in the case of catering establishments, whilst ensuring that consumers have access to information enabling them to make informed choices. In early February revised draft regulations were circulated which would allow caterers the option of conveying information to their customers via their staff rather than having always to provide written particulars. The regulations also provide for a six-month lead-time to enable menus and notices etc. to be reprinted so as to alert customers to the availability of this information and to allow staff to be suitably trained to provide it. In addition, the regulations also allow for the information to be provided to customers who place telephone orders without the necessity of their first having sight of a menu. Finally, the regulations do not apply to ingredients which were produced and labelled before 1 September 1998, and which therefore may not contain information about the presence of GM ingredients. Ministers have also decided to provide an exemption from the requirements for small packages and reusable glass bottles, in accordance with the requirements of the Food Labelling Directive, which only allows certain information to be conveyed via their labels.

Following a short consultation on the amendments identified above, Food Safety Minister Jeff Rooker announced on the 18 March the introduction of new powers aimed at enforcing an EC Regulation on the labelling of foodstuffs containing genetically modified soya or maize.

I have laid before Parliament the Food Labelling (Amendment) Regulations 1999, which will come into force tomorrow [19 March]. These provide the means for Local Authorities to be able to enforce the EC Regulation that requires all foods containing genetically modified soya or maize ingredients to be clearly labelled. This Regulation, which took effect last September, applies to all foods produced and labelled from that date.The Government is determined that consumers should be able to choose whether or not to eat genetically modified foods. This includes foods sold in restaurants, cafés and takeaways and not just that available from supermarkets. The UK is the first member state in Europe to take steps to ensure that consumers eating out will have the same right to choose whether or not to consume foods containing GM ingredients as those buying from shops.As a measure of how seriously the Government takes the right of consumers to have clear, reliable information about the GM content of the food they buy we have decided not to wait the customary 21 days for these Regulations to come into force but to make them fully effective from tomorrow.

The Food Labelling (Amendment) Regulations 1999 provide for the enforcement of the EC Regulation, and penalties for non-compliance. This legislation applies to Monsanto’s GM soya and Novartis’ GM maize, which were previously approved under EC Directive 90/220 concerning the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment. Any new GM foods would need approval under the EC Novel Foods Regulation 258/97, which includes labelling requirements.

In introducing the requirements for catering and other appropriate premises, the Regulations provide flexibility in the way that the information is made available and a six-month lead-in time for businesses in order to reprint menus.