'Food and Feed' EU Regulation 1829/2003
‘Traceability and Labelling' EU Regulation 1830/2003

As you are probably aware the EU has adopted some of the world’s most comprehensive regulations on labelling and traceability of genetically modified (GM) food and feed. Enforcement is scheduled to begin in April 2004.

Many of our clients have asked, “What does this mean for me, and what do
I need to do if I want to sell (or keep selling) my products in the EU?”

Below we outline:

New EU GM Food & Feed Regulations
Key Components

Traceability: Mandates product traceability through documentation and
implementation of Identify Preservation Systems and Procedures for the entire supply chain.

Labelling: Products containing GMOs must be labelled as such, even when undetectable by test. Products containing traces of GMO below the appropriate regulatory thresholds are exempt from labelling, provided that compliant traceability systems are in place and traces of GMO are adventitious and technically unavoidable.

Thresholds: 0.9% regulatory threshold for EU authorised GMOs and 0.5% for unauthorised GMOs that have already received a favourable EU risk assessment. Compliant traceability systems must be in place and must demonstrate that any traces of GMO are adventitious and are technically unavoidable.

Certification of your IP system
These regulations are not a guide for how to develop a non-GMO traceability or identity preservation (IP) program nor how to comply with them.
Many organizations have contracted with independent third-party organizations to verify or “certify” their non-GMO IP system. Certification organizations such as Cert ID provide independent confirmation that the production system operates to a certain standard of performance in its ability to deliver non-GM products. Such certification may provide the advantage of increased credibility
for your non-GMO IP program and non-GMO claims as well as a competitive edge in markets where GMOs are a concern for governments, buyers, retailers or consumers.

Labelling
It is imperative that food labels avoid the phrase ‘GMO Free’. GMO Free means the item contains ingredients derived from corn, maize, soybean, rapeseed, canola, cotton seed, tomato, potato products (including oils and other refined ingredients), but it has been tested with PCR technology and has been shown to be free of GM proteins or DNA. Such terminology may mean that the regulatory thresholds do not apply and it would therefore be up to the producer to demonstrate and backup this label claim, which could otherwise be deemed misleading and in contravention of the Trades Descriptions Act 1968.

‘ Non-GMO’ means the item does NOT contain any ingredients that might have been derived from GM sources.

‘ Non-GMO (IP)’ means the item contains ingredients derived from corn, maize, soybean, rapeseed, canola, cotton seed, tomato, potato products (including oils and other refined ingredients), but these ingredients are sourced from an “Identity Reserved” program and can be certified Non-GMO.

Soya International as your Partner
Our company understands the growing pressures on food manufacturers to be able to comply with such regulations. You can be assured that Soya International is committed to provide the most effective guarantees and safeguards against GMO contamination and has implemented one of the strictest IP protocols in the industry. We continue to work closely with independent organizations such as Cert ID, government bodies, retailers around the world and other pressure groups.

Our success in this industry is also due to the excellent relations we enjoy with companies like yours. We are grateful for the support and custom you have provided us and we are confident that our partnerships will grow stronger for the future. You can be certain that Soya International will always be at the cutting edge of developments and changes, to ensure the best solutions for you.

For more information, please contact us.