"Some businesses take advantage of the fact that some consumers do not understand the concept of 'genetically modified', and carry out 'non-genetically modified' publicity of their products in order to attract consumers, increase prices and seize market share." July 13, Lin Min, director of the Institute of Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, told Sci-Tech Daily reporter.
"Non-GMO" I don't know when, it has become a "very successful" marketing method for merchants. Whether in traditional markets or supermarkets, some foods that do not have genetically modified varieties, such as peanuts and rice, are also labeled as "non-genetically modified", and they are also sold very well. "Non-GMO" labels are misleading consumers.
However, the state now has new regulations on this, especially edible oil production enterprises, which can no longer do whatever they want. On July 4, the State Administration of Market Supervision and Administration, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the National Health and Health Commission jointly issued the "Announcement on Strengthening the Management of Edible Vegetable Oil Labels" (hereinafter referred to as the "Announcement"). According to the announcement, if China does not approve the use of raw materials for processing and does not approve the commercial cultivation in the country, and there is no such genetically modified crop and its processed products on the market, the label and instruction manual of edible vegetable oil shall not be marked with "non-genetically modified".
Regulate edible oil logo chaos
"This announcement is mainly to regulate the market behavior of food production enterprises and correct the disorder of the edible oil label on the market." Jiang Tao, a senior engineer at the Institute of Genetics and Development of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, told the Science and Technology Daily reporter.
Lin Min emphasized that behind the commercial battle between "GMO" and "non-GMO" is the struggle for the interests of enterprises, which is not essentially related to the safety of genetically modified food.
Jiang Tao said: "According to regulations, our country does not allow 'non-genetically modified' labeling of crops that are not genetically modified. For example, because there is no genetically modified peanuts, peanut oil is not allowed to be labeled 'non-genetically modified'; Therefore, soybean oil produced from non-GMO soybeans can be labeled as 'non-GMO soybean oil'. "
Jiang Tao said that in China, in addition to peanut oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, camellia oil, palm oil, etc. also do not exist genetically modified crops and processed foods, therefore, "non-genetically modified" can not be labeled.
This announcement particularly emphasizes that from December 21, 2018, local food safety supervision departments should organize a special one-month supervision and inspection. If it is found that the label does not comply with the regulations, the records are falsified, the input materials are unbalanced with the finished materials, they shall be punished according to law and be held accountable.
The label "GMO" China is serious
Currently, 70% of the world's population lives in countries that have been approved to grow or import genetically modified crops. So how many people can clearly see the logo and know that they are eating genetically modified food?
"More than 40 countries and regions have formulated relevant laws and regulations that require labeling management of genetically modified organisms and their products to protect consumers' right to know and choose. This is an internationally accepted practice." Lin Min said.
In terms of genetically modified food labeling, the United States, the European Union, and China have adopted different models.
The United States, Canada and other countries adopt voluntary logos. Follow the principle of substantial equivalence, that is, if the products produced by genetically modified plants have substantial equivalence with traditional products, they can be considered safe and do not need to be labeled.
The European Union adopts quantitative labeling, which stipulates that if the genetically modified content is less than 0.9%, merchants may not add labels on supermarket food bags.
Since 1993, China has promulgated a series of regulations and rules on genetic modification. At present, the strictest qualitative labeling method is adopted, that is, to answer "yes" and "no" questions, as long as the food contains genetically modified ingredients, it must be labeled.
"China is the only country that adopts the qualitative mandatory labeling method by catalogue, and is also the country that identifies the most genetically modified products." Jiang Tao said that the qualitative mandatory labeling by catalogue, that is, any product listed in the catalog, as long as it contains genetically modified ingredients or is genetically modified It must be marked if the crop is processed.
However, Lin Min said: "Qualitative labeling is stricter than quantitative labeling, and it has high requirements for detection technology. However, its scientific nature is subject to discussion and will cause problems for supervision and research and development."
Use smiley face to mark bioengineered food
"The US Food and Drug Administration has no requirements for the labeling of genetically modified foods." Lin Min said that in the United States, the words "non-genetically modified" are not allowed, believing that such practices imply that genetically modified foods are bad and harmful behaviors, and they are for genetically modified foods. Discrimination, this behavior is unscientific.
As the world's largest country for growing GM crops, the United States is also about to implement the mandatory labeling of GM foods passed by Congress. In the U.S. Department of Agriculture ’s recently announced National Bioengineered Food Information Disclosure Standards, the proposed rules on bioengineered food labels suggest that food producers are advised to use “bioengineering†for labeling rather than “genetically modified genesâ€.
"This is a compromise that the United States has made for 20 years after the promotion and consumption of genetically modified crops. It is a retreat for the strong reverse genetic activity of the people. From the green smiley face, the logo of the bioengineered food proposed by the United States Department of Agriculture The U.S. government ’s understanding of genetic modification has always been clear, that is, green, safe, and environmentally friendly, "Jiang Tao said.
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