GM Food to be labelled in South Africa
Wilna Jansen v Rijssen
Food labelling in South Africa is about to become stricter and more
informative, and will cover genetically modified food and all foods with
allergens.
The labelling regulations for foods with genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
were published in January this year after four years of debate and
consultations. According to the Department of Health "the right to
know" is a priority for the consumer.
GM food labels will be compulsory if there are significant differences in
composition and nutrient value of any GM food from its conventional counterpart.
Significant differences in storage, preparation or cooking will also have to be
noted in the labelling.
If the food contains a gene from an animal or a human source, the label must
say so, so that vegetarian and religious consumers can make informed choices.
Products from animals fed on GM foods are, however, excluded from the new
regulations.
Manufacturers may make claims for improved food characteristics from modern
biotechnology, such as improved vitamin content, less natural toxins or less
allergens. These claims will be subject to validation and certification.
It is estimated that the stricter regulations will come with a price tag of
their own - up to 10% increase in the price of GM foods to cover the necessary
laboratory tests, tracing and monitoring by government.
In addition, allergen-containing foods are to be labelled as such. These
include crustaceans, eggs, fish, groundnuts, milk, mollusks, soybeans, tree nuts
and wheat.
Also on the cards and potentially costly is a system known as Identity
Preservation (IPS) for non-GM food. The South African bureau of Standards, SABS,
in collaboration with government and other stakeholders is developing IPS, to
provide consumers with a choice between GM and non-GM foods.
South Africa is a signatory to Codex Alimentarius, the body set up by the
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Heath Organisation (WHO) which
sets international food standards. It states that claims made on food labels
must not be false or misleading or make deceptive claims; that they must be
substantiated; and they must not arouse or exploit fear in consumers.
While South Africa is set to implement its new labeling legislation,
internationally, several debates around the labeling of GM food continues. The
Codex debate on GMO labeling centers around a "declaration of the methods
of production" and most recently, "the right to know". Labelling
of foods has consequences for international trade and one can expect that the
debate will continue.
More information:
Wilna Jansen v Rijssen is the Deputy Director: Food Control, Department of
Health, South Africa. www.doh.gov.za/department/dir_foodcontr-f.html
Public understanding of Biotechnology website www.pub.ac.za
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