GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS AND CONSUMER
PROTECTION
Shri Wajahat Habibullah,
Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs has underlined the need
for enforcing certain regulations on the sale of genetically modified
foods in order to protect the rights of consumers. Speaking on
the role of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in solving the
problem of hunger at the plenary title "Consumer Rights and Responsibilities"
here today, Shri Habibullah commended the view of some NGOs and
scientists working in the field to bring about certain regulations
in the sale and use of GMOs. The Seminar was organised by Consumer
Unity and Trust Society under 'partnership conclave' on the occasion
of its 20th anniversary.
Shri Habibullah pointed out that it was mandatory in certain countries
to label the genetically modified material as 'genetically engineered'.
Countries like Australia, New Zealand and China have mandatory
labelling regulations to meet the requirement of safeguarding
consumers' interests. As regards the existence of regulations
on genetically modified foods in India, the Secretary said that
the Consumer Protection Act 1986 was very comprehensive to give
protection against defective, spurious, hazardous and unsafe goods
and also against deficient and unsafe services. The Act has powers
to issue orders for withdrawal of hazardous and unsafe products
being offered for sale which are harmful to health and safety
of consumers in addition to giving suitable compensation. The
recent amendment of the Act has also given powers to the consumer
forums to direct the appropriate party to stop manufacture of
hazardous goods and desist from offering services which are unsafe
in nature, he added.
