Pre-market safety assessment system for GM foods

The government is planning to implement a mandatory pre-market safety assessment of genetically modified (GM) foods.

A spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said today (June 25) there had been calls for the establishment of a mandatory labelling system for GM foods to address concerns over their safety and the possibility of Hong Kong becoming a dumping ground for these products.

"The proposed pre-market safety assessment would be capable of addressing these concerns," the spokesman said.

"There has been a lack of international consensus on the regulatory details of a labelling system on GM foods. So, it is inappropriate at this time to introduce mandatory labelling."

He said the pre-market safety assessment of GM foods was presently being applied by regulatory agencies around the world.

The assessment has also been recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) for their member states to set up regulatory framework for the pre-market evaluation of GM foods.

"Our proposed pre-market safety assessment will be based on the scientific principles and guidelines developed by Codex. It will ensure the safety of new GM foods before they are allowed to be put on the market," the spokesman said.

Regarding the safety and protection of consumers and their wishes for product information, he said the government would encourage the trade to adopt a system of voluntary labelling for GM foods as a practical means to address some consumers' demands for making informed choices.

To facilitate the trade in adopting this, the government plans to issue a set of guidelines for further discussion.

"The Administration believes the proposed mandatory pre-market safety assessment, which will be supplemented by a system of voluntary labelling, is the most practical solution to address the community's concerns without causing an additional burden on SMEs," the spokesman said.

According to the WHO, GM foods currently available on the international market have passed risk assessment and are not likely to present risks to human health.

End/Wednesday, 25 June 2003