Indication of GMO Agricultural Products
What is a GMO agricultural product?- A GMO (genetically modified organism) agricultural product is an agricultural product given an intended characteristic through artificial separation or rejoining of genetics (Subparagraph 11 of Paragraph 1 of Article 2 of the Agricultural and Fishery Products Quality Control Act).
Mandatory Indication of GMO Agricultural Products- A party who produces GMO agricultural products to be shipped, sold, or stored or displayed for the purpose of sale must indicate that such agricultural products are GMO agricultural products. Failure to make such an indication where due is grounds for a fine of up to KRW 10 million (Paragraph 1 of Article 56 and Subparagraph 6 of Paragraph 1 of Article 123 of the Agricultural and Fishery Products Quality Control Act).
Items for Indication as GMO Agricultural Products- GMO agricultural products approved for consumption as a result of a safety test performed in accordance with Article 18 of the Food Sanitation Act must be indicated as GMO food products (Paragraph 1 of Article 3 of the Standards of Indication of GMO Foods, Etc.).
- However, an agricultural product that is unintentionally less than 3% GMO is not required to be indicated as a GMO food product if accompanied by an identification preservation (IP) or a governmental certificate.
Standards and Method of Indication of GMO Agricultural Products- A GMO agricultural product must be indicated as a GMO agricultural product, as containing a GMO agricultural product, or as potentially containing a GMO agricultural product (Paragraph 1 of Article 20 of the Enforcement Regulations of the Agricultural and Fishery Products Quality Control Act).
- Violation of the method of indication of GMO agricultural products is grounds for a fine of up to KRW 10 million(Subparagraph 7 of Paragraph 1 of Article 123 of the Agricultural and Fishery Products Quality Control Act).
Prohibition of False Indication of GMO Agricultural Products- A party obligated to make a GMO agricultural product indication shall not make a false indication, make an indication that may cause confusion, or damage or change an indication for the purpose of causing confusion, nor mix an agricultural product indicated as a GMO agricultural product with other agricultural products for sale or in storage or display for sale. Violation of this regulation is grounds for imprisonment of up to 7 years and/or a fine of up to KRW 100 million (Articles 57 and 117 of the Agricultural and Fishery Products Quality Control Act).