According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), the principal GM crop in 2006 is GM soybean, followed by maize, cotton, and canola. These four GM crops take up more than 99% of the global biotech crop area.

As of 2006, a total of 539 regulatory approvals for various biotech crops have been granted worldwide in 51 countries. These biotech crops are very likely incorporated into various processed foods. Since Singapore is a net importer of food products, it is possible that such foods with GM-derived components are sold here.

Foods produced from GMOs can be as safe as foods from non-GMOs. Since the first GM food was commercialized more than a decade ago, there had been no known reports of hazards resulting from the consumption of GM foods.

In 2001, the European Commission published a report summarizing the results of 81 EU-funded projects on biotechnology safety. The projects were conducted by over 400 research teams over fifteen years. The scientific evidences led EU research commissioner Philippe Busquin to conclude that "genetically modified crops and the products thus far developed and marketed, according to standard risk evaluation procedures, present no risk to human health or the environment. In fact, the use of a more precise technology and the more accurate testing during the regulation phase probably make these crops and products even safer than conventional ones. ”

Another report was issued in 2005 by the International Council of Science (ICSU), an organization whose membership consists of 111 national academies of science and 29 scientific unions. After comprehensive analyses of 50 science-based reviews, the ICSU concludes that “currently available genetically modified foods are safe to eat.” The World Health Organization agrees that current varieties of GM foods "are not likely to present risks for human health.”

Closer to home, the official regulatory agency for GM foods is the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA). As a non-regulatory advisory committee, GMAC works very closely with the AVA to ensure GM food safety.

GM foods commercially available in Singapore have undergone various lines of scrutiny for safety. Firstly, under international food practices, before a GM food can be considered for commercialization, its producer must subject it to rigorous tests on quality, allergenicity, toxicity, composition, and nutritional value. Secondly, all food products derived from GMOs must be assessed to be safe by the competent national regulatory bodies of the exporting countries. Thirdly, in accordance to the GMAC’s Guidelines on the Release of Agriculture-Related GMOs, applications for import or release of agriculture-related GMOs in Singapore are first submitted to GMAC, where an expert scientific committee examines the GMOs' origin, the experimental procedures used to create them, and the methods used to prove that they are safe for consumption. GMAC’s endorsement of a GM product will be one of the main factors that the AVA will take into account when considering the final approval.

In addition, AVA monitors the presence of GM foods in our market through regular testing in their laboratories.

There are currently no legislations and guidelines for the labelling of GM foods in Singapore.

GM food labelling is a complex issue and so far, international consensus has yet been reached. The Codex Alimentarius, the world's authority on food safety and labelling, continues its work on the issue. GMAC has set up a subcommittee to monitor international developments on the matter and to formulate a labelling regime that will be in line with international standards.

Meanwhile, it is now accepted by most countries that labelling is not for food safety reasons but to provide consumers with choice. While the labelling debate continues internationally, GMAC and AVA will work to ensure that GM foods commercially available are safe for consumption.

These are useful reminders that all new technologies, whether in food, medicine, or any other applications, may pose risks without proper checks and evaluations.