Source: LOHAS Weekly Newsletter
Published: Thursday, November 01, 2001

After 20 years of negotiations, the South African government has finally finished drafting its policy pertaining to the regulation of genetically modified foods. The draft, if adopted, would require labeling of all GM foods, including details about the composition, allergens and toxin levels, storage methods, and guidelines in reference to human and animal genes.

The Thai Food and Drug Administration will soon be establishing a new legal division for food supplements, natural products and all products that have not been registered as food by the Thai Food Control Division.

The Council of Ministers has agreed on a common position for the EU Food Supplements Directive. Noted in the position is the possibility that ingredients having a physiological effect, as well as a nutritional effect upon the consumer, be noted on the label.

France has established a new agency, called “Agence Bio,” that is dedicated to developing and promoting organic foods and agriculture in the country.

The Health Food Manufacturers’

Association (HFMA) in the U.K. has

recently been engulfed in controversy about its policies and treatment of members,

triggered by the resignation of one of its largest members, Holland & Barrett Retail Ltd., from the trade association.

The Indian government has announced that effective Oct. 4, all food products used for human consumption that contain non-vegetarian ingredients must be labeled to assist the approximately 40 percent of the population that is completely vegetarian.

The British Food Standards Agency recently conducted a survey that suggests that consumers place price before quality or health when buying food. Forty-six percent of those surveyed said cost was the primary factor in making food-purchasing decisions, while only 17 percent noted that quality is a defining consideration. Only 12 percent noted that health was important when deciding what to buy to eat.

Despite a 95 percent support rating from Canadian people, the Canadian Parliament has rejected the bill that would have required mandatory labeling of all genetically modified foods.

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) has stated that additional research funds are required in order for the European Union to ensure that between 15 and 20 percent of its food production is organic by 2010.