Genetically Modified Foods
Information on this page covers the requirements for labelling
foods or providing consumers with information about foods which
contain genetically modified soya or maize.
The following details should answer your queries, however for
specific information and assistance please contact Environmental
Health Staff in the Food & Occupational Health Section,
Allerdale Borough Council or Cumbria County Council Trading
Standards Office, Tel: 01900 325980.
The Food Labelling Regulations 1996 as amended by the Food
Labelling (Amendment) Regulations 1999 came into force on 19 March
1999 for pre-packed foods, and for non-pre-packed food and food
pre-packed for direct sale on 19 September 1999.
The law requires that the intending purchaser is informed at the
point of choosing the food as to whether the food they are
purchasing contains genetically modified soya or maize. Every
business selling food to the final consumer must comply with this
legislation.
Specific labelling can be used on individual menus or general
menu boards which indicates which meals contain genetically
modified ingredients by the use of the words "produced from
genetically modified soya/maize" under the description or listing
for the food or meal concerned.
As a further alternative a general notice can be used, e.g.
"some of the food sold here may contain ingredients produced from
genetically modified soya/maize or both. Please ask our staff for
further information".
If this alternative is to be used your staff must be able to
advise consumers appropriately at all times and you must have an
established system which will ensure that this can be achieved.
(NB: Foods produced and labelled before 1 September 1998 are
exempt. Also, concentrated tomato purée is not included within the
requirements of the legislation).
If the food bears a list of ingredients the ingredient itself
can be listed as, e.g. genetically modified soya or soya
(genetically modified).
For a compound ingredient the phrase "produced from genetically
modified soya" should appear after the name of the compound
ingredients.
As an alternative an asterisk can be used after the words
soya/maize in the ingredients list provided that the phrase
"produced from genetically modified [soya] [maize]" appears
prominently displayed at the end of the ingredients list. The
expression "genetically modified" may alternatively appear as a
footnote in certain circumstances.
If the food does not bear a list of ingredients the phrase
"produced from genetically modified [soya] [maize]" must appear
clearly on the product label.
Please note that the abbreviation "GM" cannot be used to
substitute for the words "genetically modified" which must appear
in full.
What about claims such as "genetically
modified free"?
It would be advisable not to use this claim unless you were
entirely sure that it is correct. You would be expected to have
made all reasonable enquiries of your suppliers as to whether you
were being supplied with non-genetically modified
foods/ingredients.
If it is a pre-packed product for a caterer, which is sold on as
such to the consumer, the information as to whether it contains
genetically modified soya or maize should be clearly indicated in
the ingredients list (provided it was packed after 1 September
1998).
In the case of food purchased without an ingredients list
showing this information, e.g. loose/bulk items, the information
will have to be sought from the supplier of the goods.
In order to be able to show that due diligence has been
exercised in the event that the food could contain genetically
modified soya or maize, you should always insist that information
is provided by your supplier as to whether or not genetically
modified soya/maize is present. It would be advisable to have this
information in writing.
In the case of a caterer or retailer who wishes to use general
notices, the law requires that you establish a procedure for
providing information to your staff which indicates to them which
foods contain genetically modified soya (or maize). [It is
desirable, but it is not a legal requirement to have this procedure
in writing to help you demonstrate compliance].
You will need to obtain information from your suppliers as to
whether genetically modified soya (or maize) is present in the
foods that you buy.
In the case of a caterer or retailer who wishes to use general
notices, you will have to have at least one of your staff members
available during opening hours and trained to answer any customer
requests for information.
Unless you are a manufacturer or packer you will not generally
be required to have your ingredients or foods analysed. However,
you are expected to be able to demonstrate that you have made all
reasonable enquiries with your supplier as to whether genetically
modified soya or maize is being supplied to you.
Local authorities through their Trading Standards or
Environmental Health Officers will advise on the requirements.
Analytical tests exist to detect whether foods have been
genetically modified. Officers may take random samples for
analysis. Random inspection visits will also be made to check that
information provided by notices is given or that staff can
accurately provide information verbally on request.