The African Centre for Biosafety reports that South
African consumers have just won a hard-earned victory, regarding the
labelling of genetically modified (GM) foods.
GM
crops have been grown in South Africa since 1999. However most
consumers are largely unaware that their staple food, maize (or corn),
has been genetically modified. GM soya and cotton are also grown in
South Africa, and a significant amount of foodstuffs on the supermarket
shelves now contain GM components or ingredients.
Up until now, the food industry in South Africa has taken the view that
current GM labelling laws are ambiguous and do not apply to processed
foods.On Wednesday, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) published draft amendments
to regulations governing the labeling of genetically modified food in
South Africa. According to these draft amendments, all imported or
locally produced food which contains 5% or more genetically modified
components or ingredients, must now be labelled as "contains genetically
modified ingredients or components".
Director of the African Centre for Biosafety
(ACB), Mariam Mayet, congratulated the DTI and also praised the role
played by consumers in demanding their right to know. Mayet says "the
proposed amendments convey the clear intention of government that the
food industry must now step up to the plate and label their products."
Mayet
did, however, express disappointment that labelling will only apply if
there is 5% or more GM content. This threshold is reportedly based
purely on commercial considerations and not on any scientific measure.
SAFeAGE
is an organisation that has fought for mandatory labelling of GM food
to be included in the Consumer Protection Act. Fahri Hassan of the
organisation said that he was "delighted that finally, the best
interests of the public have been considered and that consumers have won
the right to know what they are eating".
Currently the draft amendments
are open for public comment up to November 9, 2012. Expectations are
that the GM industry will continue to lobby for weaker regulations and
give excuses as to why their products should not be labelled.
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