Genetically Unmodified
August 11, 2009
The German government has promoted the new "no GM" logo as a way for German consumers to know whether they are buying genetically modified produce or not.
Germany's minister for agriculture, food, and consumer protection, Ilse Aigner of the Christian Social Union, presented the new logo, saying that any food or drinks without a trace of genetically modified ingredients would be allowed to carry it.
The agriculture ministry says the logo is likely to come into use later this year. However, before the new symbol can be used, an organization needs to be formed within the industry that ascertains which products qualify to carry the logo.
Aigner also said that any company that used the logo without permission or in a misleading way would face fines and possibly product withdrawals from supermarkets until the packaging was corrected.
Carrying the logo would not mean that the foodstuffs were free of pesticides or other chemicals.
German producers have been allowed to label their food as free of genetically modified ingredients for some time, however, there was no standardized logo.
Author: ca/msh/AFP/Reuters
Editor:Chuck Penfold