Mandatory Labelling Of GMO Food Products

On 17 December 2009 the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine introduced changes to the Law "On the Quality and Safety of Food Products" (the "Amended Law"), which are pending President's signature. The Amended Law, originally adopted in 1997, regulates relationship among governmental authorities, food producers, traders and consumers in the course of manufacturing, processing, supply (including import and export), transportation, storage, sale, consumption and disposal of food products and raw materials.

The Amended Law introduces new labelling requirements for food products. Specifically, the label of any food product must refer to the presence or absence of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in the product by inscribing "With GMOs" or "Without GMOs" respectively on the label.