GMO Labelling in India: Consumer Awareness, Risk Perception and Regulatory Challenges

The regulation of genetically Modified Organisms raises critical questions about transparency, public participation and the scope of the Right to Information(RTI) in democratic governance. As GMOs increasingly enter food systems, agriculture, and commercial markets, the public’s ability to access accurate and timely information becomes essential for safeguarding health, environmental integrity and informed consumer choice. This paper examines the legal and policy framework governing GMO disclosure, particularly in relation to the RTI laws in the country. In India, this debate is exacerbated by regulatory ambiguity, weak enforcement, and the absence of a robust mandatory labelling regime under authorities such as the GEAC and FSSAI. The resulting opacity denies millions of Indian consumers their right to informed consent, undermines trust in the national biotechnology framework, and creates significant public health and trade vulnerabilities due to unregulated mixing of GM and non-GM crops.