Austria
Country introduction:
Austria is a Member State of the European Union, and the regulation of GM foods takes place at EU level. Safety assessments are carried out by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Assessments include a detailed study of potential for toxic, nutritional and allergenic effects. During the evaluation of applications EFSA consults the Competent Authorities of the Member States. Authorisations are issued by the European Commission on an EU-wide basis.
Regulatory framework:
My country has a regulatory framework that requires the competent authority to conduct safety assessment of GM food.
Structure for GM food safety assessment:
My country has competent authority, agency, organization, ministry, department, committee, commission or a system/mechanism that is tasked to conduct or review GM food safety assessment.
Supplemental information (regulatory framework):
Relevant contact details:
GM food safety assessment guidelines:
My country follows the relevant Codex Guidelines or national/regional guidelines that are in line with the Codex Guidelines in conducting safety assessment of GM food.
Conduct of GM food safety assessment:
My country does not regularly conduct food safety assessment of GM food, but has conducted at least once in the past.
Supplemental information (assessment):
Regulation stacked events:
Stacked events require full assessment as a new GM event.
Supplemental information (stacked events):
Stacked events are considered as new GMOs, which need to undergo risk assessment similar to parental GM events and obtain regulatory approval, before they can be placed on the market.
GM food/feed production:
My country does not produce any GM food or feed.
GM food/feed imports:
My country allows imports GM food or feed upon authorization.
Supplemental information (production and trade):
LLP/AP incidents:
My country has faced LLP/AP situations in the last 10 years.
Supplemental information (LLP/AP incidents):
The prime example is unauthorized GM papayas from various Asian countries.
Labelling requirement:
My country has a mandatory and positive labeling regulation & allows a voluntary and negative labeling on GM food.
Supplemental information (labelling requirement):
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