What are the laws regarding labelling genetically modified foods?

Labelling requirements for genetically modified (GM) foods vary from country to country. Here are the key regulations in certain regions:

1. United States:

- The United States does not have a mandatory national labelling law for GM foods.

- However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires specific labelling for food products that contain certain bioengineered ingredients.

- These ingredients must be clearly identified on the product's packaging using terms such as "bioengineered" or "genetically modified."

2. European Union (EU):

- The EU has strict labelling regulations for GM foods. Any food product that contains more than 0.9% GM ingredients must be labelled as such.

- The label must clearly state "genetically modified" or "produced from genetically modified [name of the ingredient]."

3. Japan:

- Japan requires labelling for GM foods if they contain more than 5% GM ingredients.

- The label must include the phrase "genetically modified" or "derived from genetically modified [name of the ingredient]."

4. Australia and New Zealand:

- Australia and New Zealand have a joint food labelling standard called the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

- Under this code, food products containing GM ingredients must be labelled if the GM ingredient is different from its conventional counterpart in terms of composition, nutritional value, or allergenicity.

- The label must include the words "genetically modified" or "produced using gene technology."

5. Brazil:

- Brazil has mandatory labelling requirements for GM foods. Any food product that contains more than 1% GM ingredients must be labelled with the symbol "T" (for transgenic) or the phrase "genetically modified."

6. China:

- China requires labelling for GM foods when the GM content exceeds a certain threshold (usually 5%).

- The label must include the Chinese characters for "genetically modified" or "produced from genetically modified [name of the ingredient]."

Please note that labelling laws can change and vary for specific GM crops and ingredients. It's important to follow the latest regulations when labelling GM foods. Additionally, some countries may have voluntary labelling schemes for GM foods, even if it's not a mandatory requirement.