After a decade-long battle to have genetically modified (GM) food labelled, consumer watchdogs believe misleading clauses in the new Consumer Protection Act could instead “hoodwink” and “confuse” the public and protect “big business”.

Both the African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) and SA Freeze Alliance on Genetic Engineering (SAFeAge) have “cautiously welcomed” the mandatory labelling regime for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the act’s final regulations, which were released by the Department of Trade and Industry last week, but say these are “fraught with legal uncertainties and ambiguities”.

Mariam Mayet of the ACB said consumers could be faced with up to five labels on GM foods “owing to attempts by the government to appease agribusiness”.

From October 1, when the act becomes law, food producers, importers and packagers will be required to choose one of three mandatory labels for GM foods and marketing materials.

Where the GM content is at least 5 percent, the food will be labelled as “containing GMOs”. Where the food is produced directly from GMO sources, there will be no need for testing, and food must be labelled as “produced using genetic modification”.

Industry may also opt for “may contain GMOs” labels in circumstances where they are able to argue that it is scientifically impractical and not feasible to test food for GM content.

And it is this label that irks Fahrie Hassan of SAFeAGE. “This provides industry with broad latitude to circumvent the labelling regime and the need for testing and in so doing, undermine consumer choice. We find this totally unacceptable.

Article Continues: IOL

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