European Food Safety Authority Launches Public Consultation on the Risk Assessment of GMO at Low Level

The European Food Safety Authority ("EFSA") has launched a public consultation on a draft guidance document on the risk assessment of genetically modified organisms ("GMOs") present at low levels in food and feed material. The draft guidance advises which criteria are necessary for a conclusion that a low level presence (maximum 0.9 percent) of genetically modified plant material in food and feed is safe. GMO material at this level is not subject to the mandatory GMO labeling requirement, as it is typically the unintentional result of unavoidable technical circumstances. However, it is the responsibility of each operator placing such products on the EU market to carry out a risk assessment to determine whether such levels are safe. Comments are due by June 13, 2017.

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