Advocate General Favours Introduction of Novel Foods in The Market

On 13th March, the advocate general of the case e C-236/01 "Monsanto Agricoltura SpA and Others v Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri and Others" considers that novel foods may be placed on the market under a simplified procedure even when they contain traces of transgenic protein, provided they are absolutely safe in terms of health. In 1997 and 1998 Monsanto Europe S.A. and two other companies placed on the market under the so-called simplified procedure foods, in particular flour, derived from genetically modified maize. The competent United Kingdom food authority had previously certified that the products in question were substantially equivalent to traditional foods. The Italian Republic, however, entertained doubts as to the absolute safety of the products and imposed a provisional prohibition on the marketing and use of products derived from the notified maize lines.

Curia Website on the issue