Do we need to provide evidence in specifications to claim products are genetically modified?

Hi

I am quality manager of a BRC certified company in seafood industry in Europe. According to Europe regulation GMO products are not permitted. Do I need to provide any evidence in specs to claim products are genetically modified?

As fish is Halal, can we claim our fish is halal or we need evidence?

Thank you

Greetings Persian girl,

 

There are a couple of different ways to approach this. If your raw material (fish) is being fished in open sea, which is proven by the fishing zone registered on the label according to FAO, then it is kind of self-proven that it is not GMO.

If it is farmed then you can ask from your supplier an official statement that it is not using GM fish eggs.

The expensive way is to perform from time to time a GMO PCR test on a random batch.

 

For Halal the basic principle is that the fish must have true fish scales. However you can't self-proclaim a product as Halal, unless it has been certified by a Moufti.

 

Regards.

Thank you!

As far as I know, the only genetically modified fish currently on the market is Aquadvantage Atlantic salmon.  Unless that is what you are selling, there should be no concern for GMO in the fish itself.  However, if you are adding ingredients to the fish, then you should confirm with your supplier that there are no GMOs in those ingredients.

And as Evans X noted, you would want to have halal certification if you claim your product is halal.