The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a public consultation on a draft regulation that governs the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import of any food or food ingredient generated from genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
FSSAI also proposed that all food products containing 1% or more genetically engineered components be labelled “Contains GMO/Ingredients Derived from GMO” in its draft notification.
GMOs, also known as genetically engineered organisms (GEOs) or living modified organisms (LMOs), that are intended for direct ingestion or processing are subject to the regulation. It also applies to genetically modified substances in processed foods that are derived from but do not contain LMOs, GEOs, or GMOs.
According to the draft notification, any food or food ingredient derived from GMOs must first have FSSAI certification before being manufactured, stored, distributed, sold, or imported.