A coalition of NGOs in the United States has made demands for mandatory labelling of food containing genetically modified ingredients. Gaining increasing public support, the "Just Label It" campaign yesterday submitted over one million comments in support of labelling genetically engineered foods as part of its petition to the Food & Drug Administration.

The campaign’s main aim is to secure labelling to enable consumers to make informed choices about what food they buy; however the standpoints of the groups which make up the coalition, ranging from environmental to faith-based, differ. Many have expressed concern at the lack of independent safety monitoring of GM crops by the FDA, which relies on confidential industry testing.

In the US, a large amount of food contains GM ingredients. 97 per cent of US soybeans are GM, and a recent study of groceries found that 80 per cent of packaged foods on sale in the US contain GM ingredients.

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There are moves from grassroots organisations to push for GM labelling at both federal and state levels; supporters of the campaign claim 90 per cent of Americans want GM labelling. A prominent group of activists in California is currently pushing for labelling at the state level and the “Just Label It” campaign is attempting to ensure President Obama makes good his word nationally and follows through with promises to introduce mandatory labelling.

Last week, the US state of Connecticut took the first step requiring producers to label genetically modified food. Last Wednesday, the state’s legislative committee overwhelmingly backed a measure to label GM, focusing on the consumer choice aspect of the debate.

Connecticut’s state Department of Agriculture opposed the new legislation, arguing that the responsibility for setting national standards on such issues lies with the federal government and that bringing in labelling would put the state at a competitive disadvantage with other states if it moves to introduce new standards first. Nevertheless, the Environment Committee approved the motion.

The American biotech industry has opposed calls to introduce labelling; agribusiness companies have said labelling would mislead consumers and deny that there is a safety concern over GM products, meaning labels are unnecessary.

Filed in October last year, yesterday marked the end of the FDA’s 180 day consultation period on the subject. The campaigners and seed companies will now have to wait for a formal FDA response. Some of the activists have promised to begin legal proceedings if the FDA fails to act.

In Europe, only one variety of genetically modified plant is approved for production, Monsanto’s MON810 maize, although it is only licensed for animal feed. All imported products containing GMOs must be labelled as such. Worldwide, over 40 countries have similar legislation in place.

Although some agriculture industry bodies and a small number of European governments have claimed GM technology represents an invaluable tool in the fight for food security, the European public remains extremely hostile to the technology, largely due to perceived threats to the environment and out of mistrust of the companies involved.

EU debate over GM remains in a state of stalemate after ‘compromise’ proposals put forward by Denmark ground to a halt earlier this month. Decisions over whether to license GM crops may now go to the largely pro-GM consumer affairs commission.

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