Importers of 24 staple food crops will be required to declare that these products are not genetically modified and that they are not derived from GMOs from January 1, 2021. The order was issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), The Hindu BusinessLine reported.
Environmental groups complain that imported food often contains genetically modified organisms. The FSSAI issued this order to ensure that only non-GMO food crops enter the country.
The 24 food crops include apple, eggplant, corn, wheat, melon, pineapple, papaya, plum, potato, rice, soy, sugar beet, sugarcane, tomato, bell pepper, pumpkin, flaxseed, bean plum, and chicory. The order says that importers will have to declare that the product "is not of GM origin, does not contain genetically modified organisms, and is not genetically modified either." Implementing this rule will require extensive scrutiny, said Kavita Kuruganti of the Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture Alliance. “To comply with this FSSAI order, it is necessary to prepare by undertaking extensive testing, as well as resorting to vigilant citizens and acting on complaints related to suspected GM,” said Kuruganti.
“This is a very important statement,” said agricultural expert Devinder Sharma. “It is noteworthy that the FSSAI made this decision despite pressure from strong lobbying groups. This list covers almost all major cultures. " Sharma is referring to a recent campaign by an Indian-American business group to get Delhi to allow a 5 percent transgenic component in agricultural products imported under a trade agreement.