The sugar beet variety in question, H7-1, has been genetically modified to be resistant to the controversial herbicide glyphosate, manufactured by Monsanto itself.
EFSA carried out the original opinion, giving the crop the health and safety all-clear, back in 2006 and the European Commission authorised the crop for import and processing in 2007 for a period of ten years.
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The sugar beet’s EU authorisation was granted to be used in food and feed imports and processing, and food containing ingredients produced from it.
It does not include authorisation for cultivation within the European Union (EU).
GM food and ingredients may be sold in the EU but if the GM content is greater than 0.9% this must be clearly labelled on pack – a rule that has acted as a de facto ban due to consumer mistrust.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: GM sugar beet given all-clear for EU renewal