Abstract: Gene-edited food (GEF) are at the stage of extensive research and development (R&D) and commercialization. The proper regulation and labeling of GEF have important influence and directive impact on the sound development of this emerging industry. Based on the review of international regulatory policies related to labeling and regulation patterns of GEF, this paper analyzes the relationship between labeling and cognition degree of GEF correlatively through methods of a combination of questionnaire and related statistics. The results indicate that the cognition degree of GEF is still low even for the sample provided by the professional groups. There is a negative correlation between labeling strength and cognition degree while the view “mandatory labeling” is dominant among the sample. Factors considered by the sample of needing label are the right to know, and potential safety issues which is more concerned by those with lower cognition degree of GEF. The respondents are less sensitive to the cost of labeling of GEF and feed. Therefore, the relations between individual intention for labeling and comprehensive benefits of emerging industry, policy flexibility and rational decision-making, etc., are discussed, and these recommendations are further put forward: raising public cognition degree of GEF, transition to the voluntary labeling policy in due course.

Key words: Gene-edited Food (GEF), Regulatory Policy, Labeling, Cognition