The traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the European Union

Food safety represents a topic of primary importance within the framework of processes of deregulating markets, with effects of important concern, in addition to consumer protection, also with regard to respecting the rules of competition and the safeguarding of local identities. In the course of the last years, the European Union has defined a specific policy of interventions in this field, having established the principles and general requirements of alimentary legislation through the issuing of numerous provisions. These have led, in 2002, to the institution of the European Authority for alimentary safety. The present contribution intends examining the measures launched by the EU concerning the traceability and labelling of products obtained by OGM. It intends, in particular, to highlight, with regard to the legislative context of reference, the modalities through which the creation of an "emergency net" is planned to cover all the stages along which the product is developed, from production to marketing, up to the presentation and labelling of the end product, in respect of the consumer’s right for information