The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has made it mandatory to label every package containing Genetically Modified (GM) food from January 1, 2013. The ministry published a gazette notification that every package containing the genetically modified food shall bear at the top of its principal display panel the words ‘GM’.

The ministry’s decision will affect the various GM products which enter the Indian market for sale.

Objective: Educating consumers and making them aware of GM products

Currently, Importers or exporters seldom display the GM label on the product. Under the new regulation the consumers will have the freedom to make a preference on whether they want to buy the GM products or not.

What are the GM foods?

• Genetically modified foods are commonly abbreviated as GM foods or Biotech Foods. These are derived from genetically modified organisms. During genetic modification certain specific changes are introduced into the DNA the organisms by using genetic engineering techniques.

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