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When it comes to making rules for labeling of products either for their dangerous content or for nutritional information, the government has a clear policy – keep it vague.

The story of weak and ineffective pictorial health warnings on tobacco products is all set to be repeated with genetically modified (GM) foods.

While health labels on tobacco products are supposed to warn users about adverse health effects, labeling of GM foods has been advocated globally as a matter of consumer choice.

After years of persistent demands from consumer and anti-GM groups, the government has relented by making labeling of GM products mandatory. However, the way it has been done leaves the door wide open for unlabeled food with GM ingredients in the market.

Regulation of GM goods including their labeling is covered under Section 22 of the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006, but this particular section has not been notified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) following a direction issued by the health ministry in 2010. The food safety regulator also has a scientific panel on labeling issues. The import of GM foods has to be cleared by the Genetically Engineered Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in the ministry of environment.