Food manufacturers back report
recommendations made in a report from the Standing Committee on
Agriculture and Agri-Food on labelling of genetically modified
(GM)foods.
The Canadian food manufacturing industry has welcomed the recommendations made in a report from the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food on labelling of genetically modified (GM)foods.
In a recent statement, Laurie Curry,vice president in charge of public policy and scientific affairs at the Food and ConsumerProducts Manufacturers of Canada (FCPMC) organisation, said: "We agree with the committee vice chair that our efforts here inCanada to develop a labelling standard for GM foods, along with the newnutrition labelling system being implemented by Health Canada, will resultin the most informative labelling regime in the world."
In January 2002, the FCPMC appeared before the committee and recommended that the federal government uphold its current policy of mandatory labellingfor health and safety, and support the development of a voluntary labellingsystem whereby information is provided to consumers for other reasons.
According to the report, the committee recognises that labelling can "helpprovide information to consumers who want to know more about food productionpractices" and, therefore, is recommending that the government continue todevelop a voluntary labelling standard for food derived from biotechnology.
A standard is currently being developed by the Canadian General Standards Board.Experts from all sectors of the food supply chain along withgovernment, consumer groups and general interest groups have been examining the complexities of labelling for the last two years.
"We still believe thisis the right approach. Canadian consumers deserve a labelling standard thatis informative, understandable, not false, not misleading and verifiable sothat they can make informed food choices," said Curry.
The report cautions that, "labelling must not replace assessment of thesafety of the food" and recognised that mandatory labelling may give "the impression that existing measures to ensure food safety are not adequate."
