A survey of post-marketing surveillance of potential human late health effects of genetically modified foods’ initiatives: lessons for Canada’s strategy

The purpose of this research was to determine the current and planned global postmarketing surveillance initiatives focusing on potential human late health effects of genetically modified foods. It also sought to identify government officials, researchers, academics and industry stakeholders in the genetically modified foods and related industries who could participate in an international partnership developed by Health Canada to study how to proceed on the implementation of a monitoring system for genetically modified foods. In accomplishing these objectives, the research called for the development of a comprehensive list of global contacts involved in the food biotechnology industry, and the conducting of a global survey and an environmental scan of the trends in post-marketing surveillance initiatives. The research also provided a strategic approach for Canada in proceeding with its post-marketing surveillance of potential human late health effects of genetically modified foods’ initiatives.