Finnish Commerce and Genetically Modified Food
FINNISH FOOD MARKETING ASSOCIATION
31.8.2004
Commerce's decisions concerning products they offer to consumers are based on consumers' needs and preferences. The choice of products in retail stores has to be wide enough to give a rich variety of alternatives to the consumer. The commerce evaluates also food science and development from the point of view of the consumer.
According to European parliament's and Council's regulation[1] applied from April 18th, food produced from genetically modified organisms (GMO's) has to be labelled irrespective of whether or not the presence of modified DNA or protein can be analysed from the product.
The commerce is liable for giving information to the consumer about the variety of food products it offers. The commerce has to get the information about the use of gene technology from its suppliers in order to pass on this information to the consumer. The reliability of co-operation in the food chain is ensured by legislation that obliges operators to provide proper labeling concerning the use of gene technology. The commerce requires its suppliers to label their producs according to the legislation and to ensure that the traceability of their products is on the level the legislation ordains. When products are properly labeled, the consumer can make an informed choice.
As the use of gene technology cannot always be established by analysing product, food control has to be based on documentation. In principle, the food control authorities of the country where production takes place should control the producer and the commerce should be controlled by the food control authorities of the country where the commerce operates. Food control authorities should co-operate not only between the EU Member States but also with the food control authorities of third countries.
[1] Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 concerning the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and the traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC
