MOSCOW, 26 December (BelTA) – Additional labeling requirements for genetically modified products were introduced in the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union on 26 December, BelTA learned from the press service of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC).
“New standards included in the EAEU food labeling regulation will help buyers to make the right choice of food products. The GMO label will now be printed in large print next to the Eurasian Conformity mark. The GMO label must correspond in shape and size to the Eurasian Conformity mark,” the EEC explained.
The changes were developed by the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) taking into account consumers' wishes. “The document passed all necessary procedures, including public hearings and interstate coordination in the EAEU countries and was adopted at a meeting of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission in December 2017. Twelve months were given to business to adjust to the new requirements,” the press service said.
The previous technical regulation on labeling food products obliged manufacturers to inform customers about the use and content of GMOs (over 0.9%) by making inscriptions: “genetically modified products”, “products derived from genetically modified organisms”, “products contain components of genetically modified organisms”. However, manufacturers gave this information in small print and in difficult-to-spot places, which made it difficult for customers to notice this information on the packaging.
The technical regulation requires that the GMO sign is easily readable and visible during the shelf-life of a food product.
“The EEC Board issued a resolution on 10 May this year to set a transition period of 18 months during which manufacturers are allowed to make food products with the use of GMOs and provide this information to customers in accordance with the mandatory labeling requirements. The turnover of such products is permitted during the expiry period specified by the manufacturer,” the EEC said.
