Tighten GM labelling laws, Greenpeace says

Labelling laws need to be drastically tightened to ensure people are aware of food that is genetically modified, Greenpeace says.

Despite requirements that genetically modified food be labelled, exemptions mean too many Australians are kept in the dark about what is really on their plate.

Greenpeace says the federal government, which is currently reviewing food labelling laws, needs to get strict.

"The reality is that we are eating GM all the time without our knowledge," Greenpeace campaigner Laura Kelly told AAP.

"Exemptions to labelling laws mean that, say, if a food is highly processed, it doesn't need to be labelled, and that applies to a key GM food - canola oil."

Any food that uses canola therefore doesn't require the GM tag.

Ms Kelly said Greenpeace surveys had shown 90 per cent of consumers want clear GM labelling, with "a majority" saying they didn't want to eat those products.

The labelling review is calling for a second round of submissions ahead of a series of public consultations, which are to be held around Australia over the next two months.

Greenpeace has welcomed the breadth of the inquiry, but said the review panel was dudding itself if it thought GM requirement were already up to scratch. In government's policy review released on Friday, it states that "food which has been genetically modified or irradiated must be labelled".

The review is also set to scrutinise the use of Australian-made tags and other labels, including those which claim foods to be `lite', natural or organic.

It will question whether mandatory labels for alcohol should be introduced, or if a national body should be established to oversee the laws.

Food labelling is critical to protecting the health and safety of consumers, the review paper reads.

The Australian Food and Grocery Council said there was nothing wrong with GM labelling, accusing Greenpeace of running a scare campaign.

"To suggest that pigs die of liver cancer if they eat genetically modified canola or food-stock is just scientifically wrong," the council's Kate Carnell said.

Consumers should rest assured all foods with GM traceability are labelled as such, she said.

The industry body has otherwise welcomed the labelling review as an opportunity to provide consumers with more up-to-date, targeted information.

It is calling on the government to back a new process that could see extensive labelling accessible through mobile phones and the scanning of barcodes.

The technology was currently available and could potentially be in place within a year - offering specialised information to those with special concerns, like gluten-intolerance or other allergies.

The review panel is due to deliver its final report in November.