GMOs and Biotech Food

Following political guidelines given by European Commission President Barroso in September 2009 and the subsequent commitment made by European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy John Dalli, a European authorisation system has been proposed in addition to the freedom of Member States to cultivate genetically modified organisms. On 13 July 2010, the European Commission published a Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the (...)

Scientists in the US have begun exploring techniques that may help to deliver a new generation of healthier foods, with the potential to reduce levels of cancer and obesity with the use of nanotechnology. At the same time, a new study has found that European consumers back nanotechnology, but are not convinced that the necessary risk assessment procedures are being taken. Food scientists have been looking at altering the very structure of ingredients to make potentially beneficial (...)

On 2 March 2009, the Environment Council rejected the commercialisation of two genetically modified maize products - following citizens’ concerns regarding health, environment and development. On 2 March 2009, European Environment Ministers once again rejected the European Commission’s efforts to have national bans on the cultivation of genetically modified corn in Austria and Hungary lifted. It is the third time the Commission has attempted to get Ministers to tell Vienna to (...)

EFSA has a published draft opinion on the implications of animal cloning on food safety, animal health and welfare and the environment. This article has been updated with news concerning the European Parliament motion for resolution on the cloning of animals for food supply and with news on the delay of EFSA’s final opinion EFSA’s public consultation on animal cloning EFSA has held a public consultation on its draft scientific opinion on the implications of animal cloning on (...)

EFSA published its final scientific opinion on the implications of animal cloning on food safety, animal health and welfare and the environment. Prof. Vittorio Silano, chair of EFSA’s Scientific Committee presented the opinion of EFSA on 24 July 2008. Prof. Silano stated that for some animals there is no clear safety risk from cloned animals but went on to say that more data needs to be accumulated on the subject before it could make any serious judgment on the safety of cloned (...)

The EU environment ministers have supported a proposal from France to overhaul EU’s approval process for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). *Update* On 20 October 2008, EU environment ministers continued to disagree on whether Member States should be allowed to establish GMO-free zones for sensitive areas, although they did concur on the need for better long-term environmental risk assessment of GMOs. On the 5th of June 2008, the EU environment ministers decided that risk (...)

On 5 May 2008, EPHA contacted EU Commissioners, informing them of EPHA’s position regarding Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). On 10 June 2008, EPHA received an official response from Commissioner Louis Michel thanking EPHA for the letter which allowed a ’decision making process with sound knowledge of the position of all concerned’. EPHA would like to thank Commissioner Michel for considering public health in this debate. EPHA’s letter sent to all (...)

On 7 May 2008, the European Commission delayed decisions on whether to allow European farmers to grow numerous types of genetically modified crops, including the Amflora potato. This genetically modified potato produces unusually large quantities of starch and contains two controversial marker genes linked to the risk of increasing drug resistance. On 17 February 2008 the EU Agriculture Council did not approve the application and the Commission was thus the one in charge of taking the (...)

The use of antibiotics and other anti-microbial agents throughout the food chain contributes to the growth of resistant bacteria which can be passed on to humans through food, EU’s food agency said on 17 April 2008. This must be taken into account in the debate on allowing the Amflora potato in Europe. The use of antibiotics and other anti-microbial agents throughout the food chain contributes to the growth of resistant bacteria which can be passed on to humans through food, (...)

On 12 February, the European Commission took a decision to require compulsory certification for imports of Chinese rice products that may contain the unauthorized GMO ‘Bt63’. On 12 February, the European Commission took a decision to require compulsory certification for imports of Chinese rice products that may contain the unauthorized GMO ‘Bt63’. Despite measures announced by Chinese authorities in 2007, the presence of ‘Bt62’ was reported until late (...)