The European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) GMO panel has no safety concerns after reviewing data from French scientists suggesting toxicity concerns in rats fed the MON863 variety of GM maize from Monsanto.
DuPont has entered into a partnership with a US university, where
it will fund research for the genetic improvement of crops and
plant nutrition, the firm announced yesterday.
News that a variety of GM corn produced signs of liver and kidney
toxicity in rats should be a wake-up call for better testing and
more transparency from biotechs, if GMOs are to be accepted by
increasingly sceptical consumers.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has revealed that it will review the new data presented by French scientists that revealed toxicity concerns in rats fed the MON863 variety of GM maize from Monsanto.
Monsanto's genetically modified maize MON863, authorised for human consumption since 2006, showed signs of liver and kidney toxicity in a rat study, raising concerns about its safety.
A recent study into public attitudes towards genetically modified
foods has confirmed that attitudes change significantly depending
on the type of food being considered.
The current move towards harmonising global regulations on
genetically modified food is a good thing, though agreement on
labelling remains as far away as ever, an IFT conference heard this
week.
A lawsuit filed against the US government aims to establish strict
safety laws for all genetically engineered foods, and require these
to be labeled once they are approved.
On the other side of the debate, environmental activists remain
committed to ensuring that Europe's food supply remains GM free
even if that means breaking the law.
It is ten years since the first large-scale planting of genetically
modified (GM) crops. Food Navigator looks at both sides of
the argument to assess the future of the technology and its
implications for the European food industry.
The EU has ordered Greece to lift its ban on genetically modified
(GMO) maize seeds, setting the scene for yet another battle over
the controversial technology.
An online summary of a key FAO study into genetically modified food
has given the food industry unprecedented access to vital
information concerning the safety and potential risks of this
technology.
EuropaBio has slammed the EU Agricultural Council's decision to
uphold a Greek ban on genetically modified (GM) corn, claiming that
the judgement flies in the face of EFSA advice on biotech crops.
EU farm ministers clash yet again on the contentious issue of GM
food ingredients, failing to clear a new GMO corn from US biotech
firm for import into the EU bloc.
Amendments to Australia's food code continue, with the nation's
food agency calling on companies and organisations to comment on a
host of new proposals, including the addition of phytosterols to
fruit juices and fruit drinks.
Leatherhead Food International is offering a one-stop shop in
analytical service including genetically modified organisms, thanks
to a strategic collaboration with Genetic ID.
In a move that is bound to add more heat to the dispute among EU
states over genetically modified organisms, the Europe's food
safety regulator has approved a number of products for use within
the bloc.
Ongoing divisions over GM ingredients once again evident in Europe
as EU ministers throw out an attempt by the Commission to overturn
bans on growing legal GM crops currently in place in a handful of
member states, reports Lindsey...
A call by the World Health Organisation for further safety
assessments on using genetically modified (GM) foods should give
governments pause for thought before giving their approval for
their wider use of the technology.
Stakeholders in the food chain, along with technocrats and
politicians in Brussels, must wait until October this year to get
the final word from the WTO on the GM complaint filed by the US,
Canada and Argentina, reports Lindsey Partos.
It is a perversion of the 21st century that while affluent
societies continue the quest to slice the fat from their
increasingly obese populations, five million children die from
hunger each year, and more than 850m people go chronically...
Two thirds of Russians are against genetically modified foods and
the majority of experts support a ban on GM crops as the government
prepares new production laws, reports Chris Mercer.
Monsanto yesterday raised its estimates for the company's
second-quarter earnings on the back of successful results from its
seeds and traits business.
The role of GMO food ingredients in European society hits the round
table as the Commission discusses the way forward at a meeting
today in Brussels, reports Lindsey Partos.
EU environment experts opt to delay a vote on the entry of a GM
sweetcorn into the European food chain, revealing ongoing divisions
between member states over biotech food ingredients,writes
Lindsey Partos.
Current divisions in Europe over biotech food ingredients
strengthened last week after the Union's food watchdog paves the
way for the cultivation of a GM maize after the first ever risk
assessment for the cultivation of a GM...
Divisions in Europe over allowing imports of genetically modified
food ingredients clearly in evidence earlier this week when an EU
regulatory committee postponed a vote on the entry of a Monsanto
crop.
Australia and New Zealand consider changes to their food code,
inviting stakeholders to pass comment on a raft of propositions
from food additive approvals to labelling requirements.
Americans' attitudes about genetically modified (GM) foods remain
divided, although their opinions appear not be deeply held and can
be influenced by new information and events, according to a study
released this week, reports...
Food makers working on the European stage today are matching
consumer concerns over genetically modified organisms, largely
selecting non-GMO ingredients for their food formulations,
highlights a new survey.
Ministers in the EU recently blocked a move by biotech giant
Monsanto to launch a GM corn onto the market but finding a
favourable response in less cynical countries the firm said
yesterday that Argentina had given the green light.
As the anti-GM feel gains pace in Europe Britain's third largest
retailer Sainsbury has seized the moment launching onto the
supermarket shelves a milk produced from cows 'guaranteed to have
been fed a GM free diet'....
As Europe continues to relax the rules which for six years have
effectively blocked the development of genetically modified
foodstuffs throughout the EU, new research suggests that the
consumer antipathy towards GM goods - usually...
Brandishing the banner for genetically modified foods, a leading
scientist this week warns that by 2050 conventional crops will not
be enough to feed the 9 billion mouths.
With stringent rules on the labelling of genetically modified
ingredients entering into force earlier this week, the European
Commission has laid out the framework for the tough new
regulations.
Biotech firms, consumer groups and environmental campaigners have
the opportunity to voice their concerns about the framework for the
risk assessment of GM food in the EU with the European food
watchdog inviting comments on a new...
In a move set to fuel the already heated GM debate swirling around
Britain, the country's medical body said this week it sees no
'current evidence of potential harm from GM food'.
Favourable news for the pro-GM camp as a team of British scientists
claims that genetically modified (GM) maize is less damaging to
wildlife than conventional varieties. At the same time, leading UK
organisations call on Tony Blair...
The biggest potential consumer market in the world has flung open
the doors to GM foodstuffs. Approving a handful of biotech soybeans
and corn from US biotech giant Monsanto, China's permanent approval
- the first ever issued...
slators in Brussels are currently preparing to decide whether to
allow genetically modified products to be sold in the European
Union, but most of the 15 Member States have also carried out their
own research into the pros and cons...
