With the rise in imports of GMO crops and foods, Japan is considering an expansion of mandatory labeling, which now applies to 33 food items, sources in the Consumer Affairs Agency told the Kyodo news agency. The food industry and consumer groups “are expected to engage in a tug of war over where to draw the line,” said the news agency.
In arguments that echo the U.S. debate last year over mandatory labeling, consumer groups say Japanese should have a choice in what they buy. Food manufacturers say the cost of labeling would be prohibitive because they would have to change packaging and discard outmoded supplies. The government plans to convene a panel of experts to discuss labeling in the new fiscal year, consumer agency sources told Kyodo.
At present, labeling is required on eight GMO crops, said Kyodo. As well, labeling is mandatory “if the three largest ingredients of a food product by weight contain substances from genetically modified crops and account for 5 percent or more of all ingredients.” Labels are not required, however, if GMOs cannot be detected, such as in fermented foods.