Indian NGO Files Complaint vs. Illegal Genetically Modified Oil Products

The Coalition for GM-Free India (CGMFI) has filed a petition to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) last month, calling for immediate action against the alleged illegal import and sale of genetically modified (GM) edible oil products in India, reports the Times of India. In the complaint, the Indian NGO claimed that certain soyabean and canola oil brands were being openly sold in stores in major cities, including Bengaluru, Noida and Mumbai, despite them being prohibited by FSSAI.

“As mentioned by Health Minister J P Nadda in parliament on 29 December 2017, various companies have been illegally importing and selling GM soyabean and canola oil for human consumption. Whilst these have the permission from the environment ministry, they do not have the permission from the health ministry’s FSSAI,” Kavitha Kuruganti, co-governor of CGMFI said in the complaint. She added that the illegal oil products “did not even have the labelling” in place marking them as GM products.

The NGO requested that FSSAI take “the strictest action” against those violating Indian law by selling GM oils and ensure that the products were removed from store shelves without delay.  According to section 22 of India’s Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, the manufacture, sale, distribution or import of GM foods is prohibited unless specifically detailed in the law.