91997E2158

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2158/97 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Council (25 June 1997)

Subject: Novel food regulation No 258/97 - Unintentional inclusion in traditional foods of substances for which labelling is obligatory

1. What procedure is to be adopted towards products which, while not consisting of genetically modified products, may (unintentionally) contain elements of such products?

2. Is there any provision, in these cases, for monitoring and, where appropriate, labelling (e.g. honey and honey products with pollen from transgenic plants)?

3. Are products containing pollen to be tested to ensure that consumption poses no health risk?

Answer (20 October 1997)

The Regulation referred to by the Honourable Member was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189b of the EC Treaty.

Article 1 of the Regulation defines its scope and, subject to the implementation of paragraph 3 thereof, does not cover cases where foods or ingredients unintentionally fall within the categories laid down in that Article.

In any event, the general provisions of Community legislation on the control of foodstuffs (Directives 89/397/EEC ((OJ L 186, 30.06.1989. )) and 93/99/EEC ((OJ L 290, 24.11.1993. ))) still apply.