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Food safety is assured
Posted by: Prof. Dr. M. Raupp (IP Logged)
Date: May 30, 2007 07:56AM
By Mohammed Al A'Ali
A top official yesterday reassured consumers that any Genetically Modified (GM) foods that enter the country are safe.
Shura Council members had been told that GM foods were not allowed into Bahrain without proper testing.
Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro said any imported foods are accepted internationally - despite concerns voiced about GM products.
He was responding to a question by member Dr Aysha Mubarak on what criteria is imposed on GM foods.
"In the end, they are allowed to enter the market and people have the right to choose if they want to buy them or not," Dr Fakhro said during yesterday's meeting.
"International studies on foods presented to consumers have proven that they are safe for consumption.
"The genetically-improved foods sold here are the same allowed all around the world, which have received licensing that they are not harmful to people's health.
"There is still debate whether the companies should indicate that foods have been genetically-modified on their labels around the world.
"Some say it is necessary others say it is not, with others saying it is necessary if it leads to major changes to the food from its original state.
"The Health Ministry inspectors check everything to ensure it is good for human consumption, whether genetically-improved or not, to ensure it is not contaminated with chemicals or biological substances."
He said Bahrain would wait for the outcome of a meeting in Rome, Italy, in July before reaching any decision to change its policy on GM foods.
The meeting is of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which was created by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Health Organisation in 1963 to develop food standards.
"We are still waiting for the Codex Alimentarius Commission meeting in July in Rome, which is expected to come up with recommendations on the issue, something that we are going to adhere to in Bahrain and other GCC countries," said Dr Fakhro.
"There are five ISO standards for GM foods, which we are going to study with our counterparts in other GCC countries this year to ensure that the foods entering our market are of new international standards."
[www.gulf-daily-news.com]
A top official yesterday reassured consumers that any Genetically Modified (GM) foods that enter the country are safe.
Shura Council members had been told that GM foods were not allowed into Bahrain without proper testing.
Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro said any imported foods are accepted internationally - despite concerns voiced about GM products.
He was responding to a question by member Dr Aysha Mubarak on what criteria is imposed on GM foods.
"In the end, they are allowed to enter the market and people have the right to choose if they want to buy them or not," Dr Fakhro said during yesterday's meeting.
"International studies on foods presented to consumers have proven that they are safe for consumption.
"The genetically-improved foods sold here are the same allowed all around the world, which have received licensing that they are not harmful to people's health.
"There is still debate whether the companies should indicate that foods have been genetically-modified on their labels around the world.
"Some say it is necessary others say it is not, with others saying it is necessary if it leads to major changes to the food from its original state.
"The Health Ministry inspectors check everything to ensure it is good for human consumption, whether genetically-improved or not, to ensure it is not contaminated with chemicals or biological substances."
He said Bahrain would wait for the outcome of a meeting in Rome, Italy, in July before reaching any decision to change its policy on GM foods.
The meeting is of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which was created by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Health Organisation in 1963 to develop food standards.
"We are still waiting for the Codex Alimentarius Commission meeting in July in Rome, which is expected to come up with recommendations on the issue, something that we are going to adhere to in Bahrain and other GCC countries," said Dr Fakhro.
"There are five ISO standards for GM foods, which we are going to study with our counterparts in other GCC countries this year to ensure that the foods entering our market are of new international standards."
[www.gulf-daily-news.com]
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