On a global level, the number of areas sown with GMO crops has grown but the presence of genetically modified organisms in food in Croatia is still very low thanks to the domination of domestic production, the report presented to the press on Friday says.
Most GMO food can be found in food supplements and sport nutrition supplements, so athletes and vegetarians are most likely to come into contact with GMO food, Assistant Health Minister Natasa Zoric said.
The food samples were taken from open-air markets, domestically produced food, food distributers and retail chains.
Croatia complies with all European directives relating to GMO food.
The Health Ministry pointed out that fodder and seeds did not fall under its jurisdiction, and meat and eggs produced by cattle fed with GMO fodder was not required to be specifically labelled, as regulated by EU legislation.
The press conference heard that it still had not been proved that GMO was harmful to human health and that opinions were still divided.
GMO can mostly be found in crops, such as maize, cotton and tobacco, but it can also be found in animals, such as some breeds of chicken, fish and pig.
Last year, Spain was one of the largest producers of GMO food in Europe.