U.S. and EU Differ in Stand on Labeling Biotech Foods 1/13/00 The European Union Commission has approved food labeling rules that would force food companies to label products containing more than 1% genetically modified foods. The move comes after much public outcry by consumer groups who say GMO food products could harm consumers or the environment."We believe that industry can comply with the regulations," EU Commission spokesman Per Haugaard said. "Its good because it provides companies with legal security, with clear guidelines and gives consumers greater information."The 1% threshold is the lowest level at which GMO food ingredients can be detected. Haugaard claims that these rules will ensure that the EU rules will be the "strictest in the world," when it comes to GMO labeling.EU Enterprise Commissioner Erkki Liikanen, said that he intends to toughen up the rules further if technological developments lead to detection of GMO content below the 1%t threshold. Haugaard added that the new food labeling regulations for all 15 EU countries will go into effect sometime the week of January 17, 2000.In the U.S., however, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman announced on Jan. 10, 2000 that the federal government is not likely to make similar requirements fore U.S. manufacturers and grocery stores."I, at this stage, do not see any of what I call mandatory or regulatory activities taking place from the government which will order anybody to do anything with respect to these issues, whether its labeling or anything else," Glickman told reporters at a news conference to discuss USDAs priorities for this year.In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency all have jurisdiction on the regulation of biotech foods. Each agency is under pressure from consumer and environmentalist groups to tighten existing regulations and to require labeling. Recently, the FDA held a series of three public hearings on what, if any, regulatory changes should be made.Officials representing each of these agencies have been "discussing these issues," Glickman said. "We want to hear from our FDA friends some more formal reporting about how they view these particular (public) hearings."Last year, the U.S.D.A. formed a committee made up of government, industry and consumer representatives which also will look into the issue of GM foods. Glickman added that the food industry has been spearheading efforts to educate consumers about biotechnology and genetically modified foods."The industry has become very engaged with us on trying to see if there are ways they can work these issues themselves," he said.Editors Note: We have been notified that the 1% GM level mentioned in this article applies only to adventitious inclusion of GMO material. Any product that is processed from GMO containing soy or corn that contains DNA or protein will still require labeling in the EU even if it is included at levels below 1%.
