Food products which must be labelled

Food which is a genetically modified organism (GMO) or which consists of GMOs.

GMOs can be GM plants, GM animals or GM microorganisms. To date, only GM plants are permitted and, among these, only GM cotton, GM rape, GM soya and GM maize.  

Possible examples include:

• genetically modified sweetcorn (in tins)*;

• GM tomatoes**;

• GM potatoes**;

• raw salad from GM chicory** ; and

• GM salmon**.
   

* = approved in the EU, but not available
** = the respective GM plants or GM animals are not approved in the EU at present

Food, ingredients or additives, which are produced from GMOs.

For labelling, it is irrelevant if the GMOs used are detectable in the end product.

At present, possible products include those made from GM soy beans and GM maize:

• oil from GM soy beans;

• margarine from GM soy bean oil;

• oil from GM rapeseed/canola;

• cornflakes from GM corn;

• starch from GM corn;

• bread with GM soy protein or GM soy flour; and

• glucose (dextrose), glucose syrup and other ingredients with GM corn starch.

• peanut puff snacks oder tacos containing GM corn starch.

Additives which are produced from GM plants also must be labelled, and include:

• sugar from GM sugar beet;

• lecithin from GM soy beans;

• vitamin E (tocopherol) from GM soy beans; and

• cellulose from GM cotton, used as  thickening agents and binder.

Further products which must be labelled, but for which at present there are no approved GMOs:

• tomato sauce from GM tomatoes;

• chips from GM potatoes;

• starch from GM potatoes or GM wheat; and

Food, ingredients and additives which contain genetically modified organisms:

This category applies primarily to food produced with GM microorganisms, and includes:

• wheat beer with GM yeast;

• yeast extract from GM yeast;

• yoghurt with GM lactobacilli (lactic acid bacteria);

• salami (raw sausages) with GM lactobacilli (lactic acid bacteria);

• blue cheese with GM moulds; and

• Quorn (protein from protazoa) from GM fungi.

To date, no GM yeast, GM bacteria or GM fungi are approved in the EU for use in food.