by Eugene Vorotnikov FoodBizDaily.com Moscow
February 01 2010 - Russian food producers will be required to label their products with "This product contains GMOs" inscription, according to Russian media reports. Such proposal has recently been introduced by some members of the Russian Parliament.
According to the bill, the size of inscription must be at least 20% of the advertising space of the package. Many of the Russian officials believe that the absence of such information confuses the Russian consumer and violates the right of consumers to receive truthful information about the products they use.
Lack of information about the presence of GMOs in the product prevents the consumer’s right to choose natural and safe product for themselves and their families, analysts believe.
"Despite the fact that the use of genetic engineering can improve the efficiency of production, we must recognize that the impact of GMOs on the human body has not been fully studied, and there are many reputable studies proving their devastating effects on human health, according to the Russian lawmakers - Russia's legislation obliges manufacturers to label food products only if their composition contains 0,9% or more of the components derived from the use of GMOs.
Moreover the current legislation gives a right to producers whose products contain less than 0.9% GMOs, to say that they "Do not contain GMOs."
"It seems out that the Russian consumers buy products with traces of GMOs, even without knowing it" – analysts said.