(a) whether the Government has decided norms for labeling/marking of genetically modified foods and organic food products;
(b) if so, whether the Government has also fixed norms for local
certification of organic agricultural products to make it
available in the local markets, in the interest of small farmers;
and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI SUBODH KANT SAHAI)
(a) to (c): Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued a
draft notification for fixing norms for labeling/marking of
genetically modified foods under provision of Prevention of Food
Adulteration Act, 1954 and Rules made thereunder. Ministry of
Commerce & Industry has developed an institutional mechanism for
the implementation of national standards for organic production
through a National Accreditation Policy and Programme. This
programme includes standards for organic production and processes
as well as the regulations for use of the National Organic
Certification Mark. The aims of the National Programme for
Organic Production, inter alia, include the following:
(a) To provide the means of evaluation of certification
programmes for organic agriculture and products as per the
approved criteria.
(b) To accredit certification programmes.
(c) To facilitate certificate of organic products in conformity to the National Standards for Organic Products.
(d) To encourage the development of organic farming and organic processing.