ed Zero tolerance on GMO

Chances are not very high genetically engineered American wheat, discovered in Oregon State recently, has landed on the Korean shore. Nor may the so-called GMO crop contain much substance harmful for health, as the U.S. government assures.

But local companies were right to suspend imports until the government unveils its inspection results this week. As far as food safety is concerned, one cannot overemphasize the importance of precautionary steps.

This is why Japan did the same on the government level. Seoul should have followed the example of Tokyo instead of leaving the matter to importers. And we must point out this is not the first time the government’s handling of genetically modified organisms has left some room to be desired.

For example, the government makes it mandatory to indicate the inclusion of GMO crops only when they are one of the five major ingredients in a food product. Other Asian countries, including Japan, Taiwan and Thailand, obligate producers to let consumers know a specific food contains GMO if it accounts for 5 percent of its total weight.

The EU, which maintains a “zero tolerance” policy on this issue, calls for indicating ingredients even if GMOs account for 1 percent or more.

Also, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety once refused to provide detailed information on the nation’s imports of GMO crops, as requested by a civic group, under the pretext of it being a “trade secret” of the importing companies. It was a regretful corporate-first mindset on the part of public officials, given that consumers have to rely on the government for their safety and health.

The nation, which purchased up to half of its total wheat imports of five million tons from the United States, and one third of this from Oregon, last year, needs to remain doubly alert.

Regardless of the inspection results, this should serve as a wakeup call for a more detailed and transparent administration of imported food.