Considerations for the labelling of foods derived from genetically modified crops-GMOs

Abstract

This article presents the issues discussed in the talk delivered on December 6, 2016, in the framework of the Third International Meeting on Biotechnology at Universidad de Tlaxcala-UATx, Mexico and updated on June 2017. Genetically modified (GM) food labelling has become a critical issue in the international trade scenario. Policymakers and consumers seem to agree on the need to control the use of GMOs in the food industry, as a consequence numerous regulations have been issued with labeling requirements for the marketing of foods that have used raw materials or ingredients that are, contain or derived from GMOs. Regarding the establishment of policies and regulatory requirements for the labeling of foods derived from GMOs, several considerations have to be analyzed and taken into account for their implementation: public perception, costs, operability, capacity in surveillance and control actions, detection mechanisms, thresholds, market; are just some of the aspects to be analyzed.