Production Specifications

Specifications for GMO-free production:
The strict cultivation, production and monitoring specifications of the Codex Directive also allow an informed decision for consumers when buying food – now and in the future.

The Codex Directive resp. the quality label „Ohne Gentechnik hergestellt“ on the product itself ensure that 

• food does neither consist of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) nor contain any;
• feed for the production of animal products neither consists of GMO nor contains any;
• no genetic engineering procedures are being used during the production of food and feed as well as during the production of all containing additives (i.e. vitamins, enzymes, flavouring);
• seed, pesticides, fertilizers and soil conditioners also comply with these requirements;
• adequate transitions periods for feeding of the animals are considered before the products (meat, eggs, milk) are allowed to be labelled „Ohne Gentechnik hergestellt“; 
• standardized and clear specifications for the monitoring and labelling of GMO-free produced food are effective.

Exemption Clauses

Exemption clauses may apply for ingredients such as food additives, flavours, enzymes and vitamins – analogous to the EU Organic Regulation – if ingredients are not continually and demonstrably available in GMO-free quality but are necessary for the production. Exemption clauses of this sort can be granted by the Ministry of Health, which is responsible for issues on GMOs and food, upon the recommendation of the expert group defined in the directive - in accordance with the market evolution as regards the supply with GMO-free ingredients.

The recent status of the directive resp. the valid exemption clauses are published on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health.

 Codex-Directive "GMO-free" (pdf; 122 KB)