Food derived from biotechnology
Biotechnology represents the refinement and extension of the way we produce natural resources for the purpose of human consumption. Today, it allows producers to obtain specific traits such as increased insect resistance or herbicide tolerance, in a controlled manner, making it possible to grow new plants and animals and create desirable, genetically modified food. However, biotechnology has also raised consumer concerns.
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The Codex Alimentarius and biotechnology
For many foods, the level of food safety generally accepted by society reflects the history of their safe consumption by humans. The hazards associated with foods are subjected to the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) risk analysis process to assess potential risks and, if necessary, to develop approaches to manage these risks.
The risk analysis process includes risk assessment, which involves an assessment designed to identify whether a hazard, or a nutritional or other safety concern is present, and if present, to gather information on its nature and severity.
In the case of biotechnology the safety assessment should include a comparison between the food derived from modern biotechnology and its conventional counterpart, focusing on a determination of similarities and differences. CAC has adopted texts developed in the Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) relevant to labelling of foods derived from modern biotechnology.
An ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Food Derived from Biotechnology (TFFBT) was established by CAC in 1999, which developed the Principles for the risk analysis of foods derived from modern biotechnology (CXG 44-2003), as well as a suite of related safety assessment guidelines.
Key facts
Source FAO
Biotechnology encompasses a wide range of traditional and cutting-edge technologies
Genetically modified crops - a product of biotechnology - have been grown commercially since the mid-1990s
A safety assessment should include a comparison between the food derived from modern biotechnology and its conventional counterpart focusing on determination of similarities and differences