The economics of GM food labels: An evaluation of mandatory labeling proposals in India

Sangeeta Bansal and Bharat Ramaswami

No 704, IFPRI discussion papers from International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Abstract: "Labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods is a contentious issue and internationally, there is sharp division whether such labeling ought to be mandatory. This debate has reached India where the government has proposed mandatory labeling. In this context, this paper evaluates the optimal regulatory approach to GM food labels. Mandatory labeling aims to provide greater information and correspondingly more informed consumer choice. However, even without such laws, markets have incentives to supply labeling. So can mandatory labeling achieve outcomes different from voluntary labeling? The paper shows that this is not the case in most situations. The paper goes on to explore the special set of circumstances, where mandatory labeling makes a difference to outcomes. If these outcomes are intended, mandatory labeling is justified; otherwise not." from Authors' Abstract

Keywords: biotechnology; economic aspects; biosafety; food labeling; genetically modified organisms; developing countries; India; Southern Asia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr and nep-cwa
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:fpr:ifprid:704

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