It will be possible to sell it by the end of the year by submitting food using “genome editing” technology.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will issue a notice about the rules for distributing foods that use `` genome editing '' technology that can manipulate genes freely, and if it is reported to the country after next month, `` genome edited food '' can be sold became. Domestic sales are expected to start as early as this year.
Genome editing is a technology that freely manipulates genes using special enzymes. Currently, research and development to create new agricultural and marine products, such as rice with high yields and good meat, are being promoted in various places.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare issued a notice on the 19th regarding the rules for the distribution of genome-edited foods.
The notified rules require companies that have developed it to notify the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of information such as how genes have been modified before starting sales, and whether allergic and toxic substances have increased. It is.
The government publishes the items to be sold and the name of the company that has been developed on its website, and may publish the facts if it does not report or makes a false notification.
On the other hand, the Consumer Affairs Agency is not obligated to indicate that it is a genome-edited food, and requests companies to voluntarily display it so that consumers can select it or to provide information on websites etc It is.
In the United States, sales of edible oil made from genome-edited soybeans have started, and there are companies in Japan that are planning to sell tomatoes that contain many ingredients that lower blood pressure. Is expected to begin.
Distribution and sales rules
Companies that have developed genome-edited foods in response to this notification will be able to sell their products if they notify the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in advance from the 1st of next month.
Genome-edited food, which is currently under development, is a product that does not work on a part of the original gene. You do n’t need to receive it, and you just need to report it.
What you need to report is information about what genes have been modified, whether allergic and toxic substances that have a negative impact on your health are increasing, and when sales will begin.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare publishes information on the name of companies and what kind of gene modification, etc., on its website, and also reports it to the national research committees made by experts.
Reporting is not a legal obligation, so there is no penalty for violating it.
However, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare may publish the fact when it has not been reported or a false notification has been made.
On the other hand, if genome editing technology is applied, it is possible to incorporate another gene from the outside, but in this case, it is regarded as a “genetically modified food”, so it is necessary to undergo a national safety review.