February 17th, 2010
manufacturers and food technologist has recently been required to inform customers about whether there is in the mayonnaise, sausages, candy, or any other foods genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The fact is that finally came into force a law on informing citizens about the presence of GMOs in food. Accordingly, necessary changes were made to the Law of Ukraine “On food safety and other regulations.
sighed with relief at the All-Ukrainian Environmental League, after nearly three years of its representatives sought to appear on everything that people consume, marking “Contains GMO” or “GMO”. Now at the laboratory Ukrmetrteststandarta (as well as the Ministry of Health) fall off increasing workload - for producers and food technologist, to mark their products, may require special laboratory confinement. Yes, and authorities monitor the implementation of the letter of the law will not have to sit idly by.
Here only be seen whether regulation is really effective, would not he be yet another law, which exists only “on paper” - a question. After all, memories of how to execute the decree of the Cabinet for mandatory labeling of food products. Back in July, the labels have been born the sacred writings. However, the producers, especially one of them that use of GM raw materials, not rushed urgently to label products, stating that the Ukrainian laboratories are not ready.
deliberate choice or a cat in a bag
Law “On Protection of Consumers” Rights provides that the consumer has the right to accessible, accurate and timely information about the product, which allows her conscious and competent choice. Naturally, we must know what we eat. Having the opportunity to choose and decide, want to eat “products mutants? Unfortunately, for a long time our right was violated - we ate, what they give. But found that allergic diseases, metabolic diseases, the emergence of resistance of microflora to antibiotics - the consequences of eating genetically modified foods.
now in the ranks of the commodity should have several types of products. At some already adorn the proud inscription “No GMO” on the other - shame, but honestly it says “GMOs”. Although most packages of food products in general have not changed. This means either that their part of the GM component in normal conditions (as accepted in the EU - not more than 0,9%), or that the publicity given to availability of the manufacturer simply does not want to fear, apparently, to reduce demand for their products. Or maybe he did not send materials to study in the specialized laboratory of the economy: maybe blow over, and that his check would not.
In September 2009, Ukrainian Ecological League start of the second phase of the action “Choose now!”, which is verified trading network on the execution requirements of regulation on labeling. It turns out there are always new foods labeled “GMO free”, but volunteers from VEE never seen an icon that would indicate the presence of mutants in the product. However, this does not mean that GMO raw material in them do not use.
Not surprisingly, the producer happy that there is no transgenes in a particular product. Agree, we have heard so much about GMOs and their associated potential hazards that are likely, even unconsciously, will be folded into their grocery cart, screaming in silence (the inscription is usually quite visible) that GMOs are not. Even though there are some not too useful substances (many preservatives, carcinogens, etc.). Incidentally, the last - a real threat, because the marking “No GMO” actively use the same producers of alcoholic beverages, and talk about their security did not have. Such uncomplicated marketing ploy.
On the other hand, the first deputy head of the All-Ukrainian Environmental League Tatiana Timochko convinced that deceive consumers manufacturer will not risk. “They will not allow in the first place competitors, because they use every blunder,” to eat “business rival - she says. Also can check the relevant authorities, and after such an” enterprise “serious repercussions losses. Consolation, and then that socially responsible business in Ukraine is still there, albeit slowly, but growing. and its representatives are ready to fulfill the first rule on labeling of products. ”
Meanwhile, provides civil, administrative and criminal liability of heads of enterprises and trade institutions that ignore the law. If manufacturers make products that do not meet the state standards (including labeling and with respect), they face a fine up to eighty-eight non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens (1496 grn.). Although it is not too much, given that the laboratory analysis of one sample of raw materials for the presence of a GMO is from 400 UAH. to 800, and the study of the finished product - much more expensive.
GM food
most in Ukraine genetically modified soya and maize. It is also rape, tomatoes, potatoes, melons, squash. If the food mentioned culture - one of the components, it can serve as a disturbing sign for the buyer. However, according to Ruslan stuffed head of molecular-genetic laboratory Ukrmetrteststandarta, today manufacturers use genetically modified raw materials less than in 2007-2008.
“Two years ago we were talking about 40%of food products with GMOs - he says. - Today the situation has improved - the domestic producers are trying to use the materials without the transgene, especially when exporting their goods to EU countries and Russia. The most common GM component is found in meat, confectionery, meats, semi-finished products. But they are not in refined sunflower oil, which is not true of corn. Or so frequently in the bakery, chocolate, mayonnaise is soy lecithin - a product of soybean processing, and it is in the 80 % of genetically modified “.
also blacklisted milk replacer, soy beans and flour.
disturbs another fact - in the EU countries are not allowed the production and import of baby food containing GMOs. In our country the law on child nutrition “generally prohibits the use of GM raw materials for production malyshovoy meal. Just can not sell this baby food. Despite this, the media informally stated that 70% of food for the children produced using GMOs. So Ukrainian Mom and Dad still can only guess about the presence in the cereals, mashed potatoes or milk mixtures transgenes or unconditionally trust the producers.
Some encouraging data
Ruslana stuffed head of molecular-genetic laboratory Ukrmetrteststandarta. “Of all the samples of raw materials for production of baby food, which we investigated, none was detected GMOs - it calms down. - But not all producers addressed us. Therefore, consumers should research protocols require food or contact the manufacturer who submit the documents to guarantee the absence of GMOs in the same cereals.
control or monitoring?
law has been passed, shrug skeptics, but with confidence that it will properly work? Where mechanisms for the enforcement of claims for labeling products containing GMOs? Even in our laboratories, and those are not enough. And manufacturers and food technologist will not fail to make use of it to justify their inaction. Besides, there will be cunning, not wishing to inform consumers that their products are made from genetically modified raw materials. After all, it will affect the profit - it is no secret that the transgenic soya or maize is much cheaper than this, that”s just for some reason this does not affect the final cost of the goods. Price of cake with GMOs are not different from the value of “ekotorta”, because nowhere is mentioned, with or without the transgene it. However, this situation can not be sustained with the introduction of mandatory labeling.
Ukrmetrteststandarta Experts believe that the law will work, but all problems are temporary. “Only in the Gospotrebstandarta valid for 13 accredited laboratories, and they are equipped with equipment and staff - said Ruslan Holubec, head of the molecular genetic laboratory. - Only in our laboratory over the past month have studied about 200 samples. The number of requests increased by 30 %. For us to turn the domestic producers (many produce goods for export) and suppliers of raw materials. I think after some time it will become commonplace. Moreover, starts working of state supervision, will check out raids. has already been drawn registry product raw materials, which necessarily need to investigate as soon as it will (probably, it will happen within a month), the law becomes clearer.
Exactly how will monitor the implementation of the law, concerned VEL. According to Tatyana Timochko, despite the fact that all necessary acts, created a network of laboratories, which is expected to expand further assurances that store shelves will not get products in excess of genetically modified standards will not let nobody.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainians have to decide they are ready to use products with GMOs, risking the health of their grandchildren, or not. The more choices there are, as Ukrainc1be as regards the production of organic food - country perspective. Suffice it to recall that the lion”s share of agricultural products produced in private farms, and most private traders are still outside the spread of genetically modified technologies.
Evgenia Ustinova
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