Consumer’s Prerogative Analysis of the Genetically Modified Food Labelling Regulation in India, in Comparison with the U.S.A. and Europe

Modern technology brought with itself, the ability to feed increasing number of mouths, with the help of genetic engineering. Genetically modified food has specific characteristics, the ability to be pest-resistant, to sustain in severe environmental conditions, to provide specific nutrition, to name a few. However, the fear of the unknown has always made people question the risk associated with the use of this modern technology. The fact that genetic engineering involves altering the DNA of the crop, has made many consumers sceptical about its usage. This, together with the ethical concerns relating to people’s right to know what they consume, has led to the debate over labelling of genetically modified food. The labelling policy of the United States of America addresses this debate from the point where providing this information was considered unnecessary, solely based on the fact that the consumers want to know what they consume, to the point, where they have a functional policy dealing with various aspects of labelling. On the other hand, labelling policy of the European Union sets an example of what constitutes a stringent and effective labelling policy relating to genetically modified food. India, too, is considerable of the growing concerns relating to people’s autonomy in deciding what they should consume, which can be achieved by providing them the information, which would enable them to make an informed choice of whether they should consume a food which is genetically modified or not. As India is on its way to have a regulation for the same, this paper addresses the issues pertaining to the draft policy in India, and what can be incorporated, with reference to the policy followed in the United States and the European Union.