Lok Sabha Question No. 171 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-29
Subject: FSSAI Standards for GM Foods
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 171 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 TH DECEMBER, 2017 FSSAI STANDARDS FOR GM FOODS

## *171. SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE:

Will  the  Minister  of HEALTH  AND  FAMILY  WELFARE be  pleased  to state:

- (a)  whether  any  standards  for  Genetically  Modified  (GM)  foods  have  been down/notified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI);
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  if  not,  whether  various  imported  and  other  GM  edible  oils  that  are consumed in India have been permitted for use; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the action taken/being taken by F sales of illegal GM foods in India?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE ( SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA )

- (a)to( d) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 171* FOR 29 TH DECEMBER, 2017

(a)&(b): Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has informed that such standards for Genetically Modified (GM) foods have been laid down/notifi

(c):  FSSAI  has  not  permitted  import  of  any  edible  GM  oil  into  India.  How Genetic  Engineering  Appraisal Committee  (GEAC)  of  Ministry  of  Environment, Forest and Climate Change permitted import of Genetically Modified Food edibl on various occasions.  Details are enclosed at Annexure .

(d): Enforcement of the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2 006 , Rules and Regulations  made thereunder , primarily rests with the State/UT Governments. Regular  surveillance,  monitoring,  inspection  and  sampling  of  food  product being done by the Officials of Food Safety Departments  of the respective Sta Union  Territories  to  check  compliance  of  th provisions  laid  down  under  Food Safety  and  Standards  Act,  2006    and  Rules  and  Regulations  made  thereunder. cases where the food samples are found to be non - conforming, recourse is taken to penal provisions under FSS Act, 2006. Directions have been iss ued by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to State/UT Governments from time to time for taking steps for effective steps for implementation and enforcement of the F Rules and Regulations made thereunder.

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) accorded approvals for import of oils derived from GM crops as per details below:

- Approval  for  import  of  Soybean  Oil  derived  from  GM  Soybean  to  M/s  Solvent Extractors' Association of India (SEAI) in 2007
- Approval for import of Soybean Oil derived from GM Soybean (Event Mon 89788) for M/s Monsanto Holdings Pvt. Ltd. in  2010
- Approval for import of Soybean Oil derived from GM Soybean (LL event AA547-127 LL even A2704-12) to Ms. Bayer Bio Sciences Pvt. Ltd. in 2014
- Approval for import of Soybean Oil derived from GM Soybean RR event Bt RR2Y to M/s Monsanto Holdings Pvt. Ltd. in 2014
- Approval for import of Soybean Oil derived from GM Soybean BPS-CV127-9 to M/s BASF India Ltd. in 2014
- Approval for import of Soybean Oil derived from GM Soybean Event FG72 to Ms. Bayer Bio Sciences Pvt. Ltd. in 2015
- Approval for  import of  Canola  oil  derived  from  Event  Ms8xRF3  to  Ms.  Bayer  Bio Sciences Pvt. Ltd. in 2015.

*****