Judgment on Pollen from Genetically Modified Plants - In BAV Newsletter 03/2011

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Jun 13, 2017 - Foods

Judgment on Pollen from Genetically Modified Plants - In BAV Newsletter 03/2011

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has delivered a far-reaching ruling on the topic of pollen from genetically modified organisms (GMO).

According to the ECJ, products like honey or dietary supplements that contain pollen from genetically modified plants are to be considered as foods containing ingredients made from GMOs. The level of GMO content plays no role in this. Thus, foods containing such honey as an ingredient are also affected. According to the current assessment of expert circles, it should be checked for GMO pollen content whether they are EU-approved GMOs or whether the questioned pollen is covered by the approval as a food. The Honey Association assumes in a related statement that this applies in most cases and thus the products are still marketable. Due to the technical inevitability of the pollen content in the product, no labeling obligation regarding genetic modification is assumed.

However, if it is pollen from GMOs that do not yet have general approval as food in the EU, zero tolerance applies to honey and corresponding products.
Press Release Honey Association
Link to further information

Ilka Timm
BAV Institute

State-certified graduate food chemist, customer service, result assessment and release, labeling review, sensor technology.
Ilka.timm@bav-institut.de