Numerous consumer studies show that modern consumers want clear information about the food they buy, including for instance the origin of the food and its production process.
Food Labelling in General
Traditionally the main source of information for a food product is the labelling of the food package, and authorities around the world have responded to the demand of consumers by setting up rules for transparent and exhaustive labelling.
In most countries food labelling rules require all ingredients including food additives to be mentioned in the list of ingredients. Substances used as processing aids are however normally exempt from being listed.
In the case of GM labelling important markets such as the EU require that the GM-status of all food, food ingredients and food additives must be mentioned in the list of ingredients if they consist of GMO, contain GMO or are derived from GMO. GM-substances used as processing aids and substances produced by GM microorganisms under containment are exempt.
Novozymes principles for product information
It has always been a basic principle of Novozymes to inform all interested parties openly about Novozymes products and the way they are produced.
Information about any use of genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) in the production of our enzyme products is always given in product sheets and other information material delivered to the customer, and this information is also placed on the Novozymes public website.
Novozymes acknowledges the consumers’ wish to have sufficient information about the food they buy in order to make an informed choice.
The responsibility of labelling a food product sold to the final consumer lies of course with the food manufacturer. As an important raw material supplier to the food industry Novozymes has an ongoing dialogue with stakeholders including legislators and authorities, food producers and retailers, the general public and the non governmental organizations (NGOs) about food labelling.
Novozymes supports food labelling rules, which are operational for food producers and retailers, and which at the same time provide adequate information to the consumer about the composition and origin of the food, and we consider the international practise of including ingredients and additives in the mandatory labelling requirements and excluding substances used as processing aids, to constitute a fair and meaningful level of information to have on a package.
We think that modern communication technologies (IT- and Mobile Technology) offer some new and powerful tools for information sharing. In our opinion for instance web-sites with additional information about food products would be an excellent addition to traditional food labelling, and we recommend that the opportunities of using modern communication technologies for food information are further explored.