India Requires non-GMO Certification
DELHI - Aug 25/20 - SNS -- Effective January 1, 2021, all several types of pulses, corn, wheat and soybeans exported to India must be certified as non-GMO (not genetically modified) and have a non-GMO origin.
The order issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) cover 24 commodities, including: beans (Phaseolus vulgaris such as kidney, pinto and navy), cowpeas, safflower, soybean, rapeseed or canola, wheat, corn, rice, alfalfa, and several vegetables and fruits.
The intentions to ensure that only non-GM food crops enter India. At the same time, the FSSAI is working on regulations covering GM imports and foods.
"(E)very consignment of these imported food crops shall be accompanied with a non-GM-origin-cum-GM-free certificate issued by the competent national authority of the exporting country," the FSSAI said.
Enforcing the rules may also require testing after goods arrive and of the food products derived from them. Some speculates the order is partly in response to efforts by lobby groups in the country to permit up to 5% GMO content in imports concluded under trade agreements.
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