§ Viscount Thursoasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the criteria applied by the Government when authorising genetically modified foods for public consumption or in products for public consumption are as strict as the criteria which the Government apply to the pharmaceutical industry when authorising new drugs. [HL1209]
§ Lord DonoughueThe authorisation of market release for new drugs and genetic modified (GM) foods are subject to different, but equally strict, criteria.
The assessment for new drugs is based on safety, quality and efficacy. The assessment of novel, including GM, foods is based on establishing that they do not present a danger to the public; that the public are not misled in any way about them; and that they do not disadvantage the public in terms of their nutritional content.