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Eu GM food safety committee fails first test
5 December 2003
Despite serious concerns about its safety, Monsanto's GM maize has moved a step closer to reaching European consumers following a report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) GMO panel. The decision is controversial because it puts the new regulatory body in direct conflict with the Austrian government which recently issued a critical study of GM food safety assessments. It is the first time EFSA has released an official opinion on a GM food
EFSA stated:
"... the Panel has considered all the evidence provided and is of the opinion that NK603 maize is as safe as conventional maize and therefore the placing on the market of NK603 maize for food or feed or processing is unlikely to have an adverse effect on human or animal health or, in that context, on the environment".
In contrast, the Austrian Government report [1] concluded that Monsanto's evidence on allergens and toxicity were not convincing and that methodologies were outdated.
Commenting Clare Oxborrow of Friends of the Earth said:
"We must have the best evidence on safety to assess whether to allow GM food into Europe. Monsanto hasn't come up with the level of proof needed. It is disappointing that the EFSA has not taken this into account in its first GM food opinion, despite official concerns raised by the Austrian Government."
"Friends of the Earth is concerned GM approvals are being driven forward by the desire to keep the USA happy and ward off a WTO dispute on GM foods, rather than taking GM food safety considerations seriously. The British public has made it clear that food safety is key area of concern and the UK needs to take the lead to ensure that only the best evidence is acceptable".
Note
1.(1) Gaugitsch H, Spoek A, Hofer H, Kienzl-Plochberger K, Valenta R (2003) Toxikologie Und Allergologie Von GVO-Produkten Austrian Ministry of Health and Woman, Series 05/2003.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is a new regulatory body.
This is the first time it has issued an official opinion on a GM food.
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Last modified: Jun 2008
