Lorenzo backs move to require GMO labeling of food products

Outgoing Agriculture Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo Jr. is in favor of requiring food manufacturers to specify on the label whether or not their products contain genetically modified organisms.

At a recent forum on GM Food Labeling in the Philippines held at the Bureau of Soils Convention Hall, Lorenzo said it is the right of consumers to know all the contents of food items that they buy.

Under Republic Act 7394, otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines, manufacturers are required to provide accurate information about the products they sell by posting appropriate labels or notes as to its nature, identity, components, ingredients or attributes.

"This is also a way of ensuring that all products released in the market meet the food safety standards prescribed by appropriate regulatory bodies, regardless of the technology used to produce them," Lorenzo said.

Currently, there are no laws requiring food manufacturers to label GM foods as such. Anti-GM non-government organizations said a requirement should be mandated not only to protect consumers but to provide them with better choices.

Lorenzo’s stand on biotechnology has gained the support of various groups from the scientific, academic, civic, religious and farmersgroups. Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP) president, Benigno D. Peczon also lauded Lorenzo’s performance.

"Given the short term that he has served the Department, national development goals of augmenting the income of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk, generating additional jobs, and achieving food sufficiency and stable prices in basic commodities for the Filipino people are being realized," Peczon said.

BCP said Lorenzo has the competence to meet the challenges set forth by government’s national policy. The BCP is a broad-based, multi-sectoral coalition of advocates for the safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology. Its members come from local farm organizations, the academic and scientific communities, different industry associations, the church, media and other civic society organizations.

Its advisors include former Agriculture Secretary Senen Bacani, Dr. Emil Javier, Bishop Jesus Varela and Prof. Solita Monsod.