June 22, 2021
The Centre has requested the state governments to implement the provision of labelling of “GM” for packaged genetically modified soyabean oil, which will help people to make an informed decision while buying.
Industry sources almost all imported soyabean oil qualifies to be declared as GM as this is produced from seeds of GM soyabean plants.
Officials from food and legal metrology departments in two states confirmed this communication from the consumer affairs ministry. They said they received the communication last week, which says the states need to enforce provisions of Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodity) Rules, which deal with mandatory labeling.
This will only help consumers to make a decision whether they wants to buy or consume GM soya oil. We produce around 15 lakh tons of soyabean oil in the country and the remaining 35 lakh tons is imported. The entire imported soyabean oil is GM oil. The whole world is consuming GM soyabean oil. Even the 12 lakh tons of cottonseed oil we produce here is GM,” said B. V. Mehta, executive director of Solvent Extractor Association.
Industry sources said putting the GM labels on imported soyabean oil may not have any impact on consumers considering that people need to get edible oil at an affordable price. “When you have abundant availability, then people will look for a choice.