4 food samples tested by govt have GM components in them

NEWDELHI: Four of the 28 samples that the Delhi government’s food safety department tested to check for presence of genetically modified (GM) components have tested positive. Of the four samples — labelled ‘unsafe’ by the food safety department — two food items were either manufactured or packaged in India.

GM food are produced introducing changes to their DNA using genetic engineering techniques to make crops grow in less water, make it resistant to certain insects, infection or herbicide.

“Of the four samples that tested positive for GM components, two soya infant milk formulations were imported. However, the other two — a canola oil and a cornflakes brand — were either packaged or manufactured in India. Currently, we cannot take any action against the com- panies as no regulation pertaining to this exists. We have informed the national regulator,” a senior official from Delhi’s health department, on condition of anonymity, said.

The food items were tested by a government-accredited laboratory in Chandigarh as no facility in Delhi is equipped to test for presence of GM components.

“The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is in the process of developing a framework to regulate GM foods. But there is no need to panic. GM foods are approved in most parts of the world after safety and risk assessment,” Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI, said, adding, “The oil is most likely imported to India and then packaged here.” Many, however, disagree. “Having no evidence of longterm impact on human health is not equivalent to having no impact on human health. The effect of GM food is not known. The more visible effect is when a crop is modified to resist herbicide or pesticide,” Manas Arvind, who runs an organic food business and healthy snack brand, said.

“More than 90% of corn, soya bean and oats in the US are genetically modified. Hence, if the corn is imported, it is likely to have GM components. This could be the reason an Indian manufactured product has tested positive for GM,” said Arvind.

Section 22 of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, prohibits manufacture, distribution, sale or import of GM unless regulated.

Amit Khurana, programme manager, food safety and toxins, Centre for Science and Environment, said, “There is a labelling rule under the department of consumer affairs but no legal framework for controlling import and sale of such food in India. Our study found most food testing positive for GM are imported.”