The Malaysian Association of Standards Users has regularly raised concerns about the risks involving genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), particularly in agriculture and in foods.
We urge the government to implement the Biosafety Act 2007, which was tabled in Parliament two years ago, and amend the Food Acts 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 to keep pace with developments in genetic engineering.
Both laws have made it mandatory to label any food or products that contain genetic modified material. This is in line with legislation in many other countries, designed to protect consumers and the environment.
There are approved GMF in Malaysia, namely roundup ready soybean, MON 810 Bt maize, NK 603 roundup ready maize, MON 863 Bt maize and ISP Type III HPLC 12 glacein – ice structuring protein.
Five types of GMF are available in the market, though there is the law and act to urge for labelling, nevertheless we do not see any corn or soybean products tagged as genetically modified food.
The consumer has the right to information, choice, safety and health. By not labelling the food, producers compromise on consumer rights and consumers are exposed to unknown risks.
For example, if a person allergic to peanuts accidentally consumes GMF that contain sibling genes from peanuts, the allergic reaction might be fatal.
Standards for biosafety have to be developed to protect consumers and to ensure the quality of genetically modified products.
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