GMO Regulations in Sri Lanka: An Overview of Biosafety and Prohibitions
Sri Lanka's biosafety regulations of 2019 exempt certain cases involving genetically modified (GM) ingredients in processed foods. The regulations outline prohibitions on the import, sale, and distribution of GM organisms as food without approval. Additionally, the regulations address risks in processed food, GMO/LMO definitions, and specific regulations for GM foods.
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THE BIOSAFETY REGULATION OF SRI LANKA..2019 4. These regulations shall not apply to the following cases: (i) Production, manufacture and release of processed food / feed containing genetically modified (GM) ingredients that do not have abilities to regenerate.
Not considered in Biosafety regulations Some Processed GM foods Corn meal Corn flakes Corn chips Corn oil Chocolates Soy flour Soy meal Soy milk Tofu Soy lecithin Canola oil Plant oils Tomato puree Ground seeds Plant flour Dead animals & meat
Some other foods that may contain GM Ingredients: Some other foods that may contain GM Ingredients: Salad dressing Cereals Margarine Mayonnaise Crackers Cookies Chips Soy sauce Soy cheese Baking powder (sometimes contains corn starch) Powdered/Confectioner's sugar (containing corn starch) Vanilla extract (sometimes contains corn syrup) Pasta Malt Peanut butter Protein powder Tomato sauce
Risks in Processed Food / Feed Risk f Hazard + Exposure + Consequences In processed food, Hazard to Human / Animal Health = New protein Analyze & Assess the risk for each hazard
GMO / LMO (BCH, Montreal) The intended use defines GMO / LMO : Examples ? Cell lines from sterile GM animal? National (Domestic) Regulations for processed food / feed * Approval system * Strict labelling Eg. EU Regulations 1829/2003 Regulations 1830 /2003 Norway ( Jan Husby, Norwegian Institute of Gene Ecology) Sri Lanka ? Food Act ..processed food ? Animal feed ? Processed animal feed ? Human food chain ?
Regulations for GM Food Food (Control of Import, Sale and Labelling of Genetically Modified Foods) Regulations 2006 (Published in Gazette No 1456/22 August 03, 2006)
PROHIBITIONS (Food Act) IMPORT, TRANSPORT, DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF 1. 2. 3. Genetically modified organism as food for human consumption; Food containing or consisting of genetically modified organism; Food produced from or containing ingredients produced from genetically modified organism; WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE CFA
Labelling When approval is granted the applicant will be permitted to place the product in the market subject to appropriate labelling which include the statement Genetically Modified in conjunction with the name of the food or ingredient or processing aid irrespective of the size.
Dr. Susil Silva (Ministry of AP & H) Some issues not relevant to clarifications raised by me ! Definition of GMO/LMO No issue Exclusion of GM animal feed AP&H : Approved by Dr. Susil ! Is this official ? Responsible if GM Feed gets into the human food chain ?? Animal Feed Act no provisions for GMF ! Can be dealt with WHEN ? Traceability threatens food security ? How ? Eg. GM pasture fed to cows (MoH circular) Processed animal feed affecting humans? Dealt by Ministry of Health (not by AP&H) Animal allergens can be dealt with available legislature What ? When ?
Cartagena protocol Article 26 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS 1. The Parties, in reaching a decision on import under this Protocol or under its domestic measures implementing the protocol, may take into account, consistent with their international obligations, socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. Suggestion: .> Page 3 Para 15.
Suggestion: Page 3; Para. 15 The Advisory Committee, appointed under Section 21 of the Act, on conclusion of the public hearing, shall review the application taking into account the Risk Analysis report of RSCA, public comments forwarded by the Authority and any socio-economic issues arising from the event, and make recommendations to the Authority which shall include the following: a. Summary of issues raised during the public consultation with corresponding responses and recommendations. b. Report on any socio-economic issues
Clarifications 1. Biosafety Framework: Use existing regulations until the Biosafety Act is operational 2. Implementation Eg. Application import GM corn to cultivate to sell as food Issues: Two applications ? Different times? Cultivate : Approved; Sale (already imported): Not approved Cultivate : Not Approved; Sale (already imported) : Approved
