GENETICALLY-MODIFIED FOOD

Column: 2848

GENETICALLY-MODIFIED FOOD: 3.

Mr Yeo Guat Kwang asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether genetically-modified (GM) food has adverse effect on human health; and (b) what is Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore's position on such food.

The Minister of State for National Development (Dr Vivian Balakrishnan) (for t he Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, this issue of the safety of genetically-modified (GM) foods has been extensively reviewed by numerous scientific organisations at the international level. The consensus so far is that GM foods are safe to eat.

Nonetheless, GM foods must be individually assessed on their safety for human consumption. The GM foods traded commercially on the international market have all passed rigorous pre-market risk assessments before gaining approval and are allowed into the food supply. The safety record has been excellent.

No adverse health effects have been reported in the general population of the countries where the GM foods are consumed.

In Singapore , our Genetic Modification Advisory Committee sets the guidelines for the import, release and use of GM products here. At the international level, Codex Alimentarius Commission - this is an international reference body for food standards - develops the guidelines for assessing the safety of food derived from genetically-modified organisms. AVA

Column: 2849

follows both sets of guidelines in assessing and approving GM foods for consumption in Singapore .

The GM foods currently available in our market include corn, soyabean and canola oil. AVA has assessed that they satisfy the guidelines and accepted them as safe for consumption.

AVA is now developing its own laboratory-testing capabilities to independently test new GM foods that may become commercially available in the future.

Mdm Halimah Yacob: Sir, is there a requirement for manufacturers to label their food if it is genetically-modified so that when consumers purchase it, they know that they are buying genetically-modified products?

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: This is an issue which is currently being considered internationally. AVA is working with other countries on the Codex Alimentarius Commission to arrive at internationally accepted norms for the labelling of GM food. The Committee is currently studying various aspects of this and will arrive at a comprehensive decision. Once that decision is made, Singapore's decision will follow in due course, taking into account the developments, both on the technical as well as on the regulatory front internationally.