UK consumers confused over gene edited food, says Food Standards Agency

22 Jul 2021 --- The UK Food Standards Agency has published its Consumer perceptions of genome edited food report as part of broader efforts to increase its evidence base in the field of genetic technologies. The project sought feedback from consumers on their perceptions of genome edited (GE) food and its potential future labeling. 

The research highlighted low participant awareness of GE and its difference to Genetically Modified (GM) food and the need to educate the public on GE technology for use in foods.

Some participants felt regulation and transparent labeling of GE foods would be important should they reach the UK market. 

Difference between GE and GM
GE is the term given to a wide range of techniques used to alter the DNA of organisms, including plants and animals – adding, deleting or replacing DNA sections. However, this research particularly focused on one specific subset of GE foods, where outcomes may otherwise have been produced using traditional breeding.

Using such GE techniques means changes can be made more quickly and precisely. Potential uses include making small changes to DNA to improve traits in an organism, like the nutritional content of crops or their disease resistance.

There is currently no genome edited foods authorized for sale in the UK. However, some are available elsewhere globally, and GE is a rapidly growing technology within the global food system.

Consultation responses coming soon 
In January, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a consultation into the future regulation of genetic technologies in England, including inviting responses on a proposal to remove GE regulation from wider GM regulation. 

The responses are due to be published soon.

This report, carried out by Ipsos MORI, involved members of the public across England, Wales and Northern Ireland in online workshops and activities, followed by a representative survey of over 2,000 consumers.

Following the UK’s departure from the EU, the FSA and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is now responsible for all safety assessments of GM food and feed and accompanying labeling rules.

UK food standards
“We welcome the findings of this important consumer research project, which will help the FSA as we continue to build an evidence base to inform future food policy, safety advice and labeling requirements in this fast-moving area,” says Professor Robin May, FSA chief scientific adviser.

“Our priority is to represent and protect the consumer, and so it is vital that we continue to work closely with the public, as well as embarking on other cutting-edge research initiatives, to ensure we use the most robust evidence in order to act in consumers’ interests,” he continues.

“The UK prides itself on having the very highest standards of food safety, and there are strict controls on GM crops, seeds and food, which we at the FSA will continue to apply moving forward. We will continue to work closely with a wide range of partners to develop our future regulatory approach in this area in response to these views and the forthcoming publication of findings from the consultation led by Defra.”

Later this year, the FSA will also publish a report which assesses different international regulatory approaches to GM and novel foods.

Edited by Gaynor Selby