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No GMO in food items without prior nod

The draft regulations released by the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stated that food companies cannot manufacture or sell any food products or food ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) without prior consent. Now, food products that may have been made using food ingredients or processing aid derived from GMOs come under these rules.

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“No person shall manufacture, store, distribute, sell or import in the country any food or food ingredient, as the case may be, derived from Genetically Modified Organisms, except with the prior approval of the Food Authority. The provisions of this regulation are in addition to, and not in derogation, of any other rules or regulations made under the Act,” the draft rules said. Further, these regulations propose labelling norms for food products that contain one per cent or more than one percent of GMO content.

According to industry experts, GMO food can have environmental, health and trade security implications. “GMO should be completely banned and there should be no provision to give any ‘prior approval’ to any company,” opined Amit Dhanuka, past president of All India Food Processors’ Association ( AIFPA). He cited the example of certain areas in the UK where GM crops were used. This led to enmass death of honey bees, indicating that it may not be fit for human consumption also.

 

 

 

 

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