Labelling of foods containing genetically modified maize and soya

1) OBJECTIVE

To harmonise labelling requirements at Community level for foodstuffs produced from genetically modified maize or soya, to guarantee that consumers are informed of their presence, and to avoid new obstacles to intra-Community trade due to the application of different national legislation.

2) COMMUNITY MEASURE

Council Regulation (EC) No 1139/98 of 26 May 1998 concerning the compulsory indication on the labelling of certain foodstuffs produced from genetically modified organisms of particulars other than those provided for in Directive 79/112/EEC.

Amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 49/2000 of 10 January 2000.

3) CONTENTS

Regulation (EC) No 1139/98

The Regulation provides for the indication of particulars on the labelling of foods or food ingredients produced from genetically modified soya beans and maize, other than those provided for under Council Directive 79/112/EEC on the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs.

Two indications are provided for:

"produced from genetically modified soya/maize", (abridged, as appropriate, to "genetically modified"). Where a food contains a number of ingredients, the indication must appear in parentheses immediately after the name of the ingredient concerned. Alternatively, these words may appear in a prominently displayed footnote to the list of ingredients, related to the ingredient concerned by an asterisk. In the case of products for which no list of ingredients exists, the words must appear clearly on the label.
"contains [ingredients] produced from genetically modified soya/maize" is reserved for ingredients designated by the name of a category.

The Regulation does not apply to products put into free circulation before its entry into force.

Regulation (EC) No 1139/98 repeals Commission Regulation (EC) No 1813/97.

Regulation (EC) No 49/2000

This Regulation lays down a de minimis level for the accidental content of DNA or proteins resulting from the genetic modification of food, whereby food which is accidentally contaminated with genetically modified soya or maize is not subject to the labelling requirements under Regulation (EC) No 1139/98 if the proportion is no higher than 1% of the food ingredient being considered.

4) deadline for implementation of the legislation in the member states

Not required

5) date of entry into force (if different from the above)

Regulation (EC) No 1139/98: 01.09.1998
Regulation (EC) No 49/2000: 10.04.2000

6) references

Official Journal L 159, 03.06.1998Official Journal L 6, 11.01.2000

7) follow-up work

8) commission implementing measures

Last updated: 19.12.2007