Chamber approves removal of "T" symbol from genetically modified product labels
Bill still needs to pass the scrutiny of senators
On April 29, the Chamber of Deputies approved Bill (PL) 4148/08, authored by Deputy Luis Carlos Heinze (PP-RS), which amends the labeling legislation for transgenics, existing since 2003. With According to the new law, only products that contain more than 1% of GMOs in their final composition must be labeled with the words "contains GMOs"; and the black “T” symbol inside a yellow triangle is no longer required.
In practice, this means that most products that are currently labeled, guaranteeing Brazilian consumers the right to information and choice, no longer need to display this information on the label, even if they were manufactured with 100% transgenic raw material.
“Soy oil, for example, widely used by the Brazilian population, cannot be tested for the presence of transgenics because its manufacturing process destroys DNA. In other words, you can only use transgenic grains in manufacturing and the test will still not detect it”, explains Gabriela Vuolo, coordinator of the Food and Agriculture campaign at Greenpeace. The same goes for margarines, products containing soy lecithin (such as chocolates and other industrialized products), cornmeal, corn starch and beers that contain corn in their composition - all these products have their DNA destroyed during their processing, making it impossible, therefore, detect the transgenesis in the final composition of the product.
The proposal approved yesterday also abolishes the labeling requirement for products of animal origin and animal feed, and opens a loophole for products that do not have transgenic DNA in their final composition to be labeled as "transgenic free" - even if they have been manufactured with material raw 100% transgenic. For this, it is enough that the test carried out on the final product does not show transgenic DNA.
“We cannot ourselves create obstacles to the consumption of our products. Agribusiness is what feeds the country”, reiterated deputy Valdir Colatto (PMDB-SC), rapporteur of the matter at the Economic Development, Industry and Trade Commission.
“I wanted to warn you that this project aims to reduce the level of information you have today. He's not adding anything; it is taking away the consumer's right to know what product they are taking home”, said the leader of the PV, Sarney Filho (MA).
The text is now going to be analyzed by the senators. To understand more about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), click here.
