Genetically Modified food and India

Genetically modified food is a big issue these days.  For health it is a serious thing but its an even bigger thing for national food security.  As Genetic Modified seeds make their way into the food cycle of a country, then indigenous seeds lose out.  The country’s crop and food production becomes hostage to the whims and fancies of the seed companies.

To take the control and the ownership of the seeds away from the farmer means the control goes outside of Nation’s hands.  In times of a calamity or emergency, it can be a big national security issue.

Earlier this month, thankfully,  a gazette notification was issued by the ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution to label the words “GM” on a label prominently displayed.  If the food includes traces of GM foosd, it is important to say that it is GM.  Unfortunately, the notification is vague and incomplete.

The gazette notification also lacks clarity on the threshold for the presence of GM ingredients. It mentions no mechanisms on how this will this be monitored, and whether this is applicable to both primary and processed foods.

Earlier the Bt Bringal was being pushed through and was approved by  Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) but later barred by  Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.

The GM food issue is a big thing in the US and 70% of the package food  products containing GM traces   Europe on the other hand, wants nose of he traces  of GM food.  In Europe % hace

environment minister