Dow Jones | November 24, 1999
TOKYO - The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has, according to The Nihon Keizai Shimbun in its Thursday morning edition, decided not to set a numerical ceiling on the portion of genetically modified ingredients a food product may contain and still be labeled GM-free.
Segregation of genetically modified and conventional food production is difficult, so strict adherence to a numerical target might send costs skyrocketing, the ministry reasons, the newspaper said.
The ministry hopes to stem an increase in fraudulent labeling by requiring food processors to follow production segregation manuals it will issue.
Nevertheless, consumer groups are expected to raise an outcry.
The ministry will release as early as Friday a proposal on labeling standards, which won't include a numerical ceiling for genetically modified content of food labeled GM-free.
Domestic and foreign distribution of soybean, corn and other food products that require GM labeling is not yet sufficiently segregated. For instance, no more than 4% of imported soybeans are segregated. Even soybeans labeled GM-free can contain as much as 5% GM ingredients, the report said.
