Finland
Country introduction:
Finland 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) and authorisations are issued on an EU-wide basis. Assessments include a detailed study of potential for toxic, nutritional and allergenic effects.
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:
Finnish Food Authority
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 regularly conducts food safety assessment of GM food.
Supplemental information (assessment):
As Finland is a European Union Member State the safety assessment of GM foods are done in a centralised fashion by the European Food Safety Authority EFSA. National scientific experts may take part in that assessment if deemed appropriate.
Regulation stacked events:
Stacked events require full assessment as a new GM event.
Supplemental information (stacked events):
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):
There is no cultivation of GM crops at this point since no suitable GM crop plants for our climate conditions are approved for use in EU.
LLP/AP incidents:
My country has not faced any LLP/AP situations in the last 10 years.
Supplemental information (LLP/AP incidents):
Labelling requirement:
My country has a mandatory and positive labeling regulation & allows a voluntary and negative labeling on GM food.
Supplemental information (labelling requirement):
Mandatory positive labelling provision is set in the Regulation (EC) 1829/2003.
Voluntary 'GM free' marketing claim is possible according to the Finnish Food Authority's guidelines (Guide 2424/04.02.00.01/2020) "Gmo free" marketing claim - Finnish Food Authority (ruokavirasto.fi)
Voluntary 'GM free' marketing claim is possible according to the Finnish Food Authority's guidelines (Guide 2424/04.02.00.01/2020) "Gmo free" marketing claim - Finnish Food Authority (ruokavirasto.fi)
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