‘GM or no GM food: Let buyers choose’

Campaigns against genetically modified (GM) food are gearing up in India with various social and consumer groups uniting against it. Organisations like Grahak Panchayat and Greenpeace India have recently started mass movements, trying to bring awareness among people about the dangers of GM food.

The Mumbai unit of Grahak Panchayat, a consumer rights organisation, feels that the consumers should be informed on what they are buying. “GM food can be easily sold in Indian markets as processed food, as there is no regulation or labelling done in India,” said Vasundhara Deodhar, consumer representative on food standards and safety, Grahak Panchayat.

According to her, manufacturers should communicate the details of a product on the packaging, which will help the consumers to take decision. Deodhar also feels that the government should not depend on the claims of manufacturers. Pushpa Mitra Bhargava, treasurer of International Union for Science Communicators, also agrees, saying that detailed independent tests by scientists should be made mandatory for GM foods.

“There is a paucity of accurate information, which is a result of the insufficient scientific attention accorded to the issue. The information has not been adequately assembled. However, there have been sporadic studies conducted by independent scientists and the findings are rather disturbing,” said Ankur Ganguly, communications manager, Greenpeace India.

Independent investigations have found violations like not destroying the GM produce after trial and it ultimately reaching the markets, added Ganguly. Information regarding the safety tests of GM crops is also denied and requests are dragged to courts on grounds of confidentiality, he added.

In the 19-year history of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, it has never issued guidelines regarding the regulation of imported GM food products. “With all these issues unresolved, the right to choose is the only option a consumer is left with for protection from a food technology so mired in controversy,” adds Ganguly.