Concerns over labelling of Bt brinjal for consumers

Environmentalists seek a system, supporters oppose it.

“The fact that this is an edible crop, it will become even more important to ensure that there is no contamination of non-GM crop.”

Mumbai, Oct. 15 Though the Government is yet to give its final clearance on the commercial release of Bt brinjal in India, concerns are being raised on who will regulate genetically modified (GM) food and how it will be labelled for consumers. Choice needed
There has to be a robust labelling system, so that consumers have a choice between regular and GM food, said Ms Sunita Narain, Director, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). LABS CAPABILITY

The labs in the country are not at present capable of identifying GM products, and there is also a question of who will regulate these products, she added. NORMS UNCLEAR

Food industry representatives also agree that it is unclear whether GM products will be regulated by the Ministry of Food, or will it be Health; Environment or Science and Technology.
But those supporting GM foods are questioning the very need for labelling GM food.

“Labelling is unnecessary,” says Dr Sajiv Anand, Director of All India Crop Biotechnology Association. GM-food is already available for consumption in Indian markets in the form of cotton oil and oil seed cakes made from Bt-cotton seeds (a GM crop), he added. IMPORTED

FOOD

Citing easy availability of imported food products from the US which contain GM food, Dr Anand argues that there is no need for a labelling process since “GM food is safe.”

A CSE note further points out that regulatory infrastructure is critical, more so, since other genetically modified food crops are on the anvil for clearance.

“If this is the case, then it becomes even more important for us to be cautious in clearing an edible crop, which then cannot be tested easily to check if it is GM or not,” the note said.

CONTAMINATION-FREE

“The fact that this is an edible crop, it will become even more important to ensure that there is no contamination of non-GM crops.

The procedures to guard against contamination have been laid down by India’s regulatory authorities but implementation of these procedures, in the farms and fields of the country is a challenge,” it added.