While food manufacturers in many developed countries are now required to label genetically modified (GM) food products, struggling economies like the Philippines have yet to put in place labeling standards for food ingredients derived from modern biotechnology because of the economic costs.

In an impact study conducted for the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) titled "The Cost Implications of GM Food Labeling in the Philippines," principal author Augusto de Leon said that despite the growing clamor for food manufacturers to label GM foods, it will take time before consumers will have the option to choose between GM food products and GM-free products.

BFAD, which is attached to the Department of Health and is responsible for food safety evaluation of all processed and pre-packaged food products, is expected to implement a GM food labeling policy in case one is adopted.

"The issues involved in GM food labeling are varied and complex since product labeling does not entail putting labels on packages of finished products. There are several processes involved with attendant costs," said de Leon.

De Leon said the Philippine government and the private sector have to consider various factors in the type of GM food labeling that will be adopted by the country since this will have a huge bearing on domestic and international trade, not to mention its impact on agricultural and food production.

He stressed however, that in coming up with a GM labeling standard, the primary consideration should be to ensure food safety.

"GM food labeling is only considered once these products have undergone the required scientific tests to ensure their safety for human consumption. Under the current framework of the study, it is to set a distinction between safe conventional food versus its equally safe GM food counterpart."

Another important factor to consider is the status of discussions on GM labeling in multilateral bodies and the standards already in place in several countries. These provide insights on how efforts to harmonize international standard setting are developing and these inputs will be valuable for policy options for the Philippines, de Leon said.

De Leon's study focused on corn and soybean-derived food products and the cost implications of mandatory GM food labeling in the country and its effect on consumers, farmers, manufacturers, traders and government.

He said that with the stark level of nutritional deficiency among Filipinos because of poor intake of protein and energy-giving foods, "the important place of corn and soybean-based products in the food basket of every Filipino consumer cannot be overemphasized."

Soybeans are used as cheap substitute for meat in food preparations such as hotdog and corned beef. Corn on the other hand is a major ingredient in food products like corn meal, breakfast cereals, corn chips and corn flakes.

De Leon's study, along with co-authors, Abraham Manalo and Fe Cielo Guilatco, focused on the following corn and soybean-based food products that are likely to be included in the labeling of biotech food: food products containing isolated soy proteins, soy protein concentrates, textured soy proteins, soy flour and grits, and textured vegetable protein; meat products such as frankfurters, hotdogs, sausages, pork or chicken patties and burgers, meatballs, ham, pastrami, pork or beef longganiza, pet foods; vegetarian analogs like burgers, patties, and deli analogs; bakery products such as white bread, doughnuts, cookies and pastry crackers, biscuits and muffins, bread and rolls, specialty spreads, cakes and cake mixes, sweet rolls and pancakes.

It also included nutritional supplements, beverages, beverage powders, protein bars, protein tablets; dairy alternatives like frozen desserts, yogurts, coffee creamer, whipped toppings, infant formulas; and other foods such as soups and sauces, soft cheeses, peanut spreads, tortillas, canned tuna, snack foods and baked goods.

De Leon said that based on the food manufacturing model of his study, mandatory GM labeling could raise manufacturing cost by 11 to 12 percent.

(To be continued)