GM foods illegally sold, 21 of 65 items tested GM-positive: Study

A host of genetically modified (GM) foods are being illegally sold in India's retail outlets without the approval of government regulators and by keeping consumers in the dark, Centre for Science and Environment's new study has revealed. The non-governmental organisation tested 65 randomly chosen food products and found that 32 per cent samples contained GM ingredients or were found to be GM-positive. The study also showed that 80 per cent of GM-positive samples were imported products.

Baby food, edible oil, cereals and packaged snack food were the items that were GM-positive and these products were produced from or contained soya, cotton seed, corn or rapeseed (canola), which are some of the most cultivated GM crops globally.

GM foods and crops have faced intense criticism in India over the lack of government studies on its impact on environment and health of humans and animals. As of now, only GM cotton is cultivated in India in food crops and a decision on GM Mustard cultivation has been put on the back burner.

On December 29, 2017, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda had in fact informed Lok Sabha that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) did not have any standards for GM foods and had not permitted import of edible oil into India.

FSSAI has initiated work on GM food. The intended regulations would essentially lay down procedures for safety assessment and approval of foods including imported foods derived from genetic modifications processes.

FACING PROTEST

GM foods and crops have faced intense criticism in the country over the lack of government studies on its impact on environment and health of humans and animals.