Legal Issues On Genetically Modified Foods Labeling System In China

Since the 20th century, genetically modified technology developed rapidly. It brought a new revolution to people's life. As an inevitable outcome of the development of genetically modified technology, genetically modified foods (GM foods) participate in people's lives frequently. However, in many people's opinion, "GMF" is still a new concept. Facing a wide variety of genetically modified foods in the market, consumers often needs some certain ways to obtain information. Especially in the case that the safety of genetically modified foods is uncertain, so disclosure related information to the public is very significant. Therefore, in order to protect the consumers' rights to know and guarantee the supervision of GM foods, genetically modified foods labeling system emerged, and gradually proved to be one of the important methods for countries and regions to manage GM foods. In 2002, China initially established the genetically modified food labeling system, to force producers and sellers to label genetically modified foods necessarily. It has great significant to guarantee the safety of GM foods and the rights of consumers. However, as time goes on, the existing legal system can not manage the labeling of the genetically modified foods effectively, then the shortcoming of the system exposed gradually. Therefore, we must combine the current international situation and China's specific conditions, consummate the genetically modified foods labeling system further, to ensure the consumers' right to know and guarantee the supervision of GM foods, and cultivate the healthy and well-organized GM foods market. This research mainly launches the elaboration from the following aspects.First of all, start with expounding the related concept of GM foods, analysis the concept and relationship among the genetically modified foods, agricultural genetically modified organisms and genetically modified Agricultural Products. Then elaborate the critical problem of genetically modified foods and the nuclear problem of genetically modified foods labeling. Simultaneously, analysis the theoretical basis of the genetically modified foods labeling system in China combined with the theories of the laws, economics and sociology.Secondly, this paper is to introduce and study three different types of GM foods labeling system of typical countries and regions. Through the analysis of basic ideas, supervision subjects, legal regulation of the GM foods labeling system, it is provide some experiences and references to China.Thirdly, this paper is to study the current situation of the GM foods labeling system in China. First, the author will sort out the legislation and the content of law about the GM foods labeling system. Then the author will conclude the labeling situation of the GM foods which are sold in china's market. At last, the author will investigate consumers' acknowledge of the GM foods labeling system, through investigating the consumers in Wuhan and Hangzhou.Fourthly, this paper is to study the issues of the GM foods labeling system in China. The legislative style and content is lack. The supervision subject is to be optimized. The supporting system is to be improved. The knowledge propaganda and cultural transmission is lack.Finally, the legal suggestions to consummate the GM foods labeling system are provided, which solve the existing problems and promote the persistent development of GM foods. It includes four primary aspects:complete related legislation, optimize the regulation subjects, consummate matched institution and operating environment.