What are genetically modified organisms?

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism, with the exception of human beings, whose genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally in mating or in the natural recombination;

In short, a Genetically Modified Organism is characterised as an organism obtained using techniques which permit the inclusion in an organism of genetic material from a different species, which could not be obtained naturally (for example, a bacteria gene in a plant). In addition, genetic modification techniques permit the inclusion of a specific characteristic directed at a certain species, unlike the classic genetic improvement techniques which are based on the generation of a huge genetic variability to then select the organism containing the required characteristic, often with other characteristics which were not the objective of the improvement.

What are genetically modified organisms?

Genetically Modified Foods are those containing or which are composed of GMO or have been produced from them.

The legal concept of “Genetically Modified Food” is defined in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European parliament and the Council concerning genetically modified food and feed in its article 2:

Are products containing GMO safe?

All foods whose marketing starts in the European Union are subject to evaluations to guarantee safe consumption. All genetically modified foods are submitted to a food safety assessment prior to marketing.

How do I know whether the product I am going to buy contains GMO?

European legislation requires that all foods containing or composed of GMO are labelled to allow the consumer a free choice.  

Products offered to the end consumer should contain the text “This product contains genetically modified organisms” or “This product contains [name of the organism] modified genetically”.

What is GMO traceability?

European legislation requires that it must be possible to trace whether or not a product contains GMO in all phases of the production and marketing to allow the consumer a free choice.

At the early marketing stages of a product which contains or is composed of a GMO the operators will ensure that written notification that the product contains or is composed of a GMO shall be sent to the operator receiving the product, together with the unique identifier assigned to the GMO. This identifier is an alphanumerical code that unmistakeably identifies the GMO.

What is the authorisation procedure for the marketing of genetically modified foods?

All foods whose marketing starts in the European Union are subject to evaluations to guarantee safe consumption. All genetically modified foods must be submitted to a food safety assessment prior to marketing.

Genetically modified food is submitted to a case by case assessment before authorisation for the marketing in Europe is granted:

On the one hand, as food, it must be guaranteed that:

• it has no negative effects on human health.
• it does not lead the consumer to error.  
• it is not any different to the food it is destined to replace in such a way that its normal consumption would be disadvantageous from a nutritional aspect for consumers.

These conditions are common to all types of food whose marketing is to be started in the European Union. In addition, as genetically modified organisms, they must undergo the environmental safety requirements assessment.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is responsible for issuing a ruling and a report in which the assessment of the food is described and which serves to support the Commission and the competent authorities of the Member States in deciding whether to authorise or ban the marketing of the Genetically Modified Organism.

How does labelling show whether or not a food contains genetically modified organisms?

Those products with a GMO content of more than 0.9 % must indicate this on the label. All substances originating from a GMO must mention this in the list of ingredients with the words «genetically modified».