Any animal feed barley that contains more than 0.9 % of an approved GM ingredient must be labeled as containing GM. Unapproved GM ingredients or derivatives with a favorable risk assessment must be labeled if more than 0.5% is present.

Each circle in the food chain (from farmers, through processors and up to retailers and restaurants) must also keep and pass on records of any GM products or ingredients they are using by a detailed traceability system.

But although animal feed barley (along with human food) now has comprehensive rules for traceability and labeling, these rules do not apply to the produce of GM-fed animals such as meat, milk and eggs. This is a major loophole in the legislation – human foods derived from GM-fed animals simply do not have to be labeled.

This means that consumers have no way of knowing whether the animal produce they are eating comes from GM-fed animals or not, and so cannot choose the healthy food to avoid it unless they pay a price premium for organic produce, which must be derived from animals fed a non-GM diet.

But more and more consumers are become aware that they are eating the produce of GM-fed animals, so retailers cannot continue to get away with exploiting this loophole in labeling. With the label on the package, consumers will choose the suitable feed barley for their animal and in this way people can be less worried about their food from the animals fed on a GM feed.