New category in genetic modification: what foods can be placed on shelves without labeling?

What will change?

The EU will continue to maintain strict licensing and labeling requirements for classic GMOs, but is now introducing a new category for plants in which only targeted, intra-species or close-to-target genetic modifications are made. The group designated as NGT-1 includes those varieties whose genetic modification could occur even through natural mutation. The legislation treats these in the same way as conventionally bred plants.

The most important consequence of this is that food products made from these plants will not be required to indicate separately whether the product is of NGT origin. The only exceptions to the labelling requirement are seeds and plant propagation material — these must be clearly marked to ensure traceability for producers and to maintain GMO-free product paths.

Why are the new rules needed?

According to the EU’s official justification, biotechnology developments offer significant opportunities for agriculture:

• climate adaptation: heat-tolerant and disease-resistant varieties,

• lower input requirements: fewer pesticides and fertilizers,

• higher crop security and less import dependency.

According to decision-makers, this can help the European agri-food industry remain competitive while meeting EU sustainability requirements. goals.

What questions arise?

Key players in the market see the change differently. A significant number of agricultural and food industry organizations support the faster introduction of NGT technologies, while several consumer protection and civil society organizations emphasize:

• the long-term environmental and health effects are not yet fully known;

• the removal of the label could reduce consumer awareness, especially for end-products appearing on store shelves.

The However, the EU’s goal is to clearly separate the new category from classic GMO technology — the latter will remain in the strictly controlled circle.

Impact on the Hungarian food chain

Hungary’s cultivation ban on GMOs will remain in place, and caution is expected in the handling of GMOs. However, due to the harmonisation of EU rules:

• products of NGT-1 origin may appear among imported foods, without special labelling,

• it will be important for manufacturers and retail chains to decide in advance what quality assurance and communication practices they will follow,

• the role of brand promises based on “NGT-free”, traditional or organic origin is expected to increase.

For retail chains and FMCG manufacturers, the change is of strategic importance: informing consumers, transforming supplier requirements and ensuring traceability of supply chains.