“Ohne GenTechnik” (Non-GMO) is the most well-understood food label in Germany

A survey by the German Quality Seal Monitor 2023 has found that the green “Ohne GenTechnik” (Non-GMO) diamond is the most well-understood of the 20 food seals analyzed.

To ensure that this remains the case, the EU’s GMO standards must be preserved.

“In order to maintain the explicit message of ‘Ohne Gentechnik’ and the high level of trust in our label, the EU’s genetic engineering standards must be preserved. Exceptions and special rules for new genetic engineering procedures would acutely endanger the distinct labelling and thus the transparency for consumers,” comments Alexander Hissting, Managing Director of the Association for Food without Genetic Engineering (VLOG). “I hope that the EU Environment Council in Brussels this week will also send a critical signal opposing the deregulation plans of the EU Commission. Fortunately, the German Minister for Environment and Consumer Protection, Steffi Lemke, has so far taken a clear position against lowering GMO standards.”

In terms of consumer recognition, more than half of the respondents (57%) know the Ohne GenTechnik seal. Ohne GenTechnik was also the third ranked label in terms of consumer trust.

For the Quality Seal Monitor 2023, the market research company Splendid Research conducted a representative survey of over 2,500 people in Germany on various aspects of the topic of quality seals. 20 seals from the food sector were examined more closely, in addition to Ohne GenTechnik, among others from the organic, vegan, animal welfare and fairtrade sectors.

Organic & Non-GMO Insights April 2023