Labeling Genetically Modified Food - Comparative Law Studies from Consumer's Perspective

Abstract

This article focus on the genetically modified food and labelling requirement. The relatively new technology raises some concerns over the safety of food containing genetically modified substance. The "substantial equivalent" doctrine, adopted by the U.S., and the "precautionary" doctrine, taken by the EU, represent two contradictory approaches to reconcile new biotechnology and consumer protection, a difference influenced by politics or food industry rather than by consumer attitudes. In this article, we argue that consumers cannot make their own choices and exercise market power without a certain degree of disclosure of information. However, even though food labelling is an effective way to convey information, it is by no means a perfect solution. This article will consider several ways to label genetically modified food and the costs or benefits so as to illustrate the best way to disclose information to consumers by way of labelling.

Keywords: food labelling, consumer protection, genetically modified food

JEL Classification: K10