The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has declared that genetically modified organism (GMO) foods are safe for human consumption but emphasized the need for proper labelling to ensure consumer transparency.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, addressed concerns surrounding GMO foods, stating, “GMO foods are not bad for us, based on scientific evidence, but they must be clearly labelled to allow Nigerians to make informed choices.
”The announcement follows the federal government’s approval of four varieties of Tela Maize, a genetically modified crop, for commercial farming in January 2024.
Prof. Adeyeye cited extensive studies, including those by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which approved the first GMO tomato in 1994, showing no evidence of harm from GMO consumption.
She referenced expert opinions, such as Dr. Peter Goldsbrough, Professor of Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue University, who stated there is no data proving GMO foods are harmful.
However, NAFDAC stressed the importance of labelling to address public concerns and ensure traceability.
“Consumers have a right to know what they are eating,” Adeyeye said, aligning with global standards like the U.S. National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, which mandates labelling for foods containing detectable modified genetic material.
This call for labelling responds to ongoing debates about consumer rights and transparency, with critics arguing that inadequate labelling limits informed decision-making.
Public apprehension about GMOs persists, fueled by fears of potential health risks like allergies or environmental impacts. NAFDAC countered these concerns, noting that rigorous testing, such as DNA microarrays and qPCR, ensures GMO safety before market entry.
Despite this, some groups remain skeptical, citing the need for long-term studies on health and environmental effects.
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