Existing EU regulations require positive labelling, so food and feed must carry a label that highlights the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Food or feed with no more than 0.9% GM ingredients are exempt, provided its presence is adventitious or technically unavoidable.
Free-from labelling
But voluntary free-from labelling schemes have been springing up across Europe. For example, Ireland, Austria, Germany and France each provide a GM-free label for food and livestock produced with certified non-GM ingredients.
Companies are also acting. In the UK, for instance, products from organic dairy company Riverford sport a GM-free logo, despite the fact that all certified organic products are free from GM material.
Drew flak
GMOs in animal feed are especially contentious, since there is no requirement to indicate whether or not animals were reared using GM-free feed. French supermarket Carrefour operates its own scheme, labelling some 300 animal-based products as 'fed without GMOs' (Nourri sans OGM), while Morrisons drew flak from consumers earlier this year for allowing suppliers to feed GM to poultry for all but organic birds.
Mute Schimpf, food campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe said: "The vast majority of European citizens don't want to eat GM food. Europe's labelling rules mean people can make informed choices. But there are gaps in the current rules that need to be closed to guarantee full consumer choice for example dairy products from cows fed with GM maize are not currently labelled."
Consulting firm ICF-GHK is reviewing the situation and will report to the EC later this year.
"The question is: is there space for negative labelling that is constructive and not confusing for consumers, given that we already have the current requirement for positive labelling [where GM ingredients are present]?" said Barbara Gallani director of the food safety and science division at the Food and Drink Federation.
