As a group representing consumer interests especially with regards to safety, the Malaysian Association of Standards Users has raised concerns about the risks of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), particularly in agriculture and in foods.

We therefore urge the government to implement the Biosafety Act 2007 which was tabled in parliament two years ago, and amend the Food Acts 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 to suit the this genetic engineering era.

Both laws have to be made mandatory to label any food or products that contain genetically modified material. This is in line with legislations in many other countries, designed to protect consumers and the environment.

There are approved GMF (Genetically Modified Foods) in Malaysia, namely: Roundup Ready Soybean, MON 810 Bt maize, NK 603 Roundup Ready maize, MON 863 Bt maize and ISP Type III HPLC 12 Glacein - Ice Structuring Protein.

Five types of GMF are available in the market, though there is the law and act to urge labelling, nevertheless we do not see any corn or soybean products tagged as genetically modified food.

Universal consumer rights state that consumers have the right to information, to make the best choices for a safe and healthy life. By not labelling foods, it compromises on consumer rights, and the consumers encounter unknown risks.

For example, a person allergic to peanut might react to GMFs derived from peanuts, but undeclared on the food's label.

Finally and yet importantly, standards for biosafety have to be developed to protect consumer and to ensure the quality of genetically modified products.