Different GM organisms include different genes inserted in different ways. This means that individual GM foods and their safety should be assessed on a case-by-case basis and that it is not possible to make general statements on the safety of all GM foods.

GM foods currently available on the international market have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health. In addition, no effects on human health have been shown as a result of the consumption of such foods by the general population in the countries where they have been approved. Continuous use of risk assessments based on the Codex principles and, where appropriate, including post market monitoring, should form the basis for evaluating the safety of GM foods.

The safety assessment of GM foods generally investigates:

• direct health effects (toxicity);


• tendencies to provoke allergic reaction (allergenicity);


• specific components thought to have nutritional or toxic properties;


• the stability of the inserted gene;


• nutritional effects associated with genetic modification;


• any unintended effects which could result from the gene insertion.