Taiwan to Revise the Stipulation on Labeling of Genetically Modified Food

On January 7, 2014, TFDA indicated that requirements on labeling of genetically modified food would be revised. The labeling requirements for unintentional addition of genetically modified food or food containing genetically modified ingredients should be changed from a threshold of 5% to 0.9%.

It is reported that at present there are only genetically modified soybean and maize used for food in Taiwan. In 2011, Taiwan announced that genetically modified soybean and maize should be examined and registered. Scholars and experts in the fields of molecular genetics, agricultural chemistry, toxicology, immunology, nutrition, biochemistry, microbiology, medical science, biotechnology, and food science are consulted to thoroughly examine the safety of all GMO foods. All genetically modified foods require a registration certificate before being released in the market.

Taiwan formulated the Guideline for Food Safety Assessment of Genetically Modified Foods in 2000, and added the evaluation items according to the safety assessment guidance of genetically modified food defined by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 2008 and 2010. The evaluation items include the genetic material, human consumption history, food ingredients and all the data relating to the differences between new varieties and known varieties of GMOs. The evaluation items especially focus on characteristics such as allergic response to consumption, nutritional ingredients, drug resistance and antibiotics marker genes.