PURPOSE
The Guidelines on Voluntary Labelling of GM Food (the Guidelines) set out the principles underlying the recommended labelling approaches for GM food, and provide reference for the trade to make truthful and informative labels in a consumer-friendly manner.
BACKGROUND
2. The international community is working towards a consensual system on GM food labelling. However, there is no consensus on GM food labelling in the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) and it is unlikely that internationally agreed standards can be established in the near future. Nevertheless, a number of countries have introduced their own labelling requirements on GM food. In order to enhance consumers’ knowledge and right to make an informed choice on GM food, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) supports the local food trade’s initiative in setting up a voluntary labelling system for GM food. A Working Group comprising representatives from the food trade, the Consumer Council and the relevant Government departments was set up by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (subsequently taken up by the Centre for Food Safety (CFS)) to formulate the Guidelines.
