News archive

New cooperation between VLOG and ZKHL simplifies the seal usage

With immediate effect, VLOG is taking over the tasks of a co-operating inspection system for the ZKHL for assigning the "Good Products from German Agriculture" label of origin. This significantly reduces the workload for businesses.

Agriculture Ministers' Conference: Several German states want to abolish GMO labelling

A number of German Länder are explicitly calling for the labelling requirement for new genetic engineering in food to be abolished. This is a slap in the face for consumers and the food industry.

Bundestag election 2025: What genetic engineering policy will Germany have?

A look at the German Parliament (Bundestag) election programmes shows what the parties have in mind when it comes to genetic engineering. Agriculture Minister Özdemir reaffirms his commitment to transparency and freedom of choice. Organisations critical of genetic engineering launch an email campaign to coincide with the election.

International Green Week 2025: "Ohne Gentechnik" discussed

"Ohne Gentechnik" (Non-GMO) and new genetic engineering were the topics of discussion at the 2025 International Green Week in Berlin. The German Association Food without Genetic Engineering (VLOG) used the trade show for talks with politicians and other stakeholders.

More field trials with plants from New Genetic Engineering in Europe

The number of experimental releases with plants from new genetic engineering (NGT) in Europe is increasing. In the UK, genetic engineering regulations have been largely deregulated and there are hardly any restrictions. Meanwhile, the EU Parliament has voted against new GMO import authorisations.

The Non-GMO Project: The American way to create freedom of choice

The USA is the motherland of genetic engineering. Representatives of the Non-GMO Project were guests at the Non-GMO Summit 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany, and described their experiences from 17 years of successful "Non-GMO" labelling.

Supply of "Non-GMO" raw materials in the EU is secured

Three market insiders presented the latest information on the market situation for the most important "Non-GMO" crops corn/maize, soy and rapeseed in Europe and worldwide at the Non-GMO Summit held in Frankfurt, Germany, in the beginning of October.

BfR Consumer Monitor: Two thirds are concerned about genetic engineering in food

In the Consumer Monitor published by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), genetic engineering in food has been one of the best-known topics for consumers for years, causing them concern about their health.

Status quo and prospects for new genetic engineering regulations

At the International Non-GMO Summit 2024, Dr Dietmar Vybiral from the Austrian Ministry of Health provided an up-to-date overview of the controversial draft for a new EU GMO regulation and possible developments under the upcoming Council presidencies.

Hardly any NGT plants ready-to-market worldwide, hardly any climate-resilient varieties

At the International Non-GMO Summit 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany, Dr Samson Simon from the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) provided an up-to-date overview of market-ready and planned NGT plants in Europe and worldwide.

Traces of genetic engineering in organic rice - The story of a traceability investigation

In July 2023, the food safety monitoring authorities in the German state of Hesse discovered genetic engineering contamination in a sample of organic basmati rice from Pakistan. The source could be an experimental release in 2001. The case was only reported to the EU alert system with a delay of over a year.

EU Member States position themselves regarding Hungarian NGT paper

The statements of 15 EU Member States in an informal enquiry by the Hungarian Council Presidency on the unresolved issues relating to the deregulation of new genetic engineering techniques (NGT) have been published. The NGT supporters insist on the tried arguments, while the opponents of deregulation introduce new aspects. One country unexpectedly changes its position.

Campaign for GMO-free food

From 13 September to 13 October 2024, an alliance of associations and initiatives is promoting a campaign for a GMO-free agriculture and food industry. Numerous events will draw attention to the threats posed to food production without genetic engineering by the deregulation of EU genetic engineering legislation. 19 September marks "GMO-free food day".

Greenpeace supermarket check: "Ohne GenTechnik" seal creates transparency

Greenpeace has regularly surveyed the major grocery chains on their meat ranges since 2020, and on dairy products since 2022. Greenpeace is dissatisfied with the development in the food retail sector regarding the labelling of farming methods. In contrast, the environmental organisation believes that GMO labelling is very well covered by the "Ohne GenTechnik" (Non-GMO) seal. VLOG has asked the food retailers about new genetic engineering.

Market research: "Ohne GenTechnik" seal scores highly in seal check

In his presentation at the VLOG Forum on the current state of market research into food seals, Dr Holger Buxel gave the "Ohne GenTechnik" seal consistently good marks. You can find a summary of the results and a video of the entire presentation in our press release.

Feasibility study: Detection methods for new genetic engineering are realistic

The research project on "Detection and identification methods for genome-edited plants", which has been funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) since January 2021, presented interesting results in July this year. According to these results, the detection of NGT plants is possible and reliable tests can be developed for this purpose.

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