Consumers educated on genetically-modified labels

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in collaboration with the Programm for Biosafety Systems (PBS) and the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) has held a workshop to educate consumers about genetically-modified (GM) labels.

The recent developed guidelines for labelling GM food was developed to provide guidance to the food industry on how food, feed and ingredient that are genetically modified should be labelled to inform consumers.

The event brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including industry representatives, consumer advocates and government officials.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of FDA, Roderick Daddey-Adjei, in an interview with the Ghanaian Times said the programme aimed at educating the public about the presence of GM ingredients in food products, and the importance of reading labels to make informed choices.

He stated that all food products containing GM ingredients must clearly be labelled, so that consumers could make informed choices about the foods they purchase and consume.

“The labelling requirements apply to both locally produced and imported food products,” he stated.

He emphasised the importance of ensuring that GM foods were safe for consumption, adding that all GM foods must undergo “rigorous testing and evaluation” before they could be approved for sale in Ghana.

Mr Daddey-Adjei said FDA’s decision to require the labelling of GM foods in Ghana was aimed at “promoting transparency, consumer awareness,” and ensuring that consumers had access to accurate information about the foods they consumed.

Dr Richard Ampadu-Ameyaw, National Coordinator OFAB, said no Ghanaian scientists would develop any crop that was poisonous for Ghanaians to eat, saying plant breeders were also Ghanaians and had families and would, therefore, not endanger the lives of others

He said all that Ghanaian plant breeders had been doing was to find solutions to agricultural problems facing Ghanaian farmers.

Gloria Adazebra, PBR Cowpea Project CSIR-SARI, speaking on the status of “PBR Cowpea in Ghana,” said the variety was awaiting final approval from the National Seed Council.

BY BENEDICTA GYIMAAH FOLLEY