30% edible oil consumption in a year from GM sources, say experts

Pro and GM groups slug it out ahead of SC hearing on GM mustard case tomorrow

Around 30 per cent of India’s estimated annual consumption of edible oil comes from sources, which are directly or indirectly produced from genetically-modified (GM) crops.

These include both imported oils and domestically-produced cotton seed oil, bulk of which are produced from GM cotton, trade and industry sources said.

The import of GM edible oils is allowed without the stringent labelling rules as mandated for all other forms of GM foods imported into India. This is due to blanket approval for edible oil imports in bulk.

Even soymeal, which was imported into India in the last few years, has largely come