NICOSIA, Cyprus - Cyprus' parliament has passed legislation requiring supermarkets to put genetically modified products on separate shelves from other food.

The Green Party, which tabled the bill, said Friday that the legislation will make it easier for the public to "distinguish these products" and help them make more informed purchases.

Parliament unanimously approved the bill Thursday.

The Green party described the bill as a "historic victory" that would lead the biotech food industry to abandon the Cypriot market.

Party spokeswoman Ioanna Panayiotou said surveys have shown wide public support for the initiative - which she said was the first of its kind in the European Union.

"It is a pioneering moment ... and we are optimistic more countries will follow," she told state radio.