GM foods
This section gives information on the Food Standards Agency’s work on genetically modified (GM) food, including GM food safety assessments, GM material in animal feed and GM labelling.
The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP)
The ACNFP is a non-statutory, independent body of scientific experts that advises the Food Standards Agency on any matters relating to novel foods, which includes GM foods, and novel processes.
The ACNFP, which carries out safety assessments of any novel food or process submitted for approval, still has a role in advising the Agency on GM foods, although the approval of such foods no longer falls under the Novel Foods Regulation.
Until April 2004, the scope of the ‘Novel Foods Regulation’ (Novel Food Regulation (EC) 258/97) included all foods produced using genetically modified organisms but GM foods are currently subject to approval under a separate regulation, Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. See both regulations on the European Commission website via the links below.
The safety assessments of GM foods are carried out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which sometimes consults the Agency. Assessments include a detailed study of potential for toxic, nutritional and allergenic effects. Where necessary, the Agency may also seek advice from the ACNFP.
The ACNFP also advises the Agency on other GM issues.
More information about the ACNFP, including its evaluation reports, minutes of meetings and annual reports can be found at the link below. The annual reports explain the work the committee has undertaken during a given reporting year and provide a full list of ACNFP members and any interests that they might have.
GM food debate
In 2003 the Agency supported a range of initiatives to independently assess public opinion on the acceptability of GM food and how this relates to consumer choice.
The assessment formed part of our contribution to the Government's public debate on GM. Details of the various activities we supported can be found in our GM food debate website.
The Board of the Food Standards Agency stated in June 2000 that it was satisfied that the safety assessment procedures for GM foods (under the novel foods arrangements) were sufficiently robust and rigorous to ensure that approved GM foods were as safe as their non-GM counterparts, and posed no additional risk to the consumer.
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Evaluating GM foods
The current procedures for evaluation and authorisation of genetically modified (GM) foods are laid down in Regulation (EC) 1829/2003 on GM food and feed, which came into force in April 2004. The safety assessments are carried out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), according to its published guidelines for the assessment of GM plants.
GM labelling
The Agency supports consumer choice. We recognise that some people will want to choose not to buy or eat genetically modified (GM) foods, however carefully they have been assessed for safety.
GM material in animal feed
Before a genetically modified organism (GMO) can be either grown or marketed in the European Union (EU), it must be granted a marketing consent (i.e. authorised) under European Community (EC) legislation - EC Regulation 1829/2003 laying down the authorisation procedures for GM food and feed (the 'GM Food and Feed Regulation').
GM teaching tools
Discover the history of how we've manipulated our food sources to meet our needs and how a GM plant is created.
Agency response to GM rice review
In 2006, US long grain rice was found to be contaminated with an unauthorised genetically modified (GM) rice known as LLRICE601. On 23 June 2008 the Food Standards Agency (FSA) Emergencies Group met to discuss the review of the incident.
National Reference Laboratory for GM food and feed appointed
The Food Standards Agency has appointed LGC as the UK’s National Reference Laboratory for genetically modified (GM) food and feed.