11 January 2000
Brussels orders GM food labelling

THE European Commission has approved a regulation which requires food companies to provide labels on food if any ingredient contains 1% or more of genetically modified (GM) soya or maize.

The threshold could fall further as early as next year.

Development is taking place of a test which can detect a GM presence below 1%.

The Commission is poised to apply similar thresholds to other GM products. It is also working on plans to put “GM-free” labels on food.

Meanwhile, the US department of agriculture has ruled out introducing mandatory approval for genetically modified (GM) crops.

But the department has confirmed the approval process was under review with other government departments.