Archived press release

Foe welcomes new GM food code

7 September 2001

BUT EU GM LABELLING LAW MUST BE CHANGED

Friends of the Earth today welcomed new industry guidelines on how to avoid accidentally introducing GM ingredients into food products. However, FOE called for an EU law on the labelling of products containing GM material to be strengthened, so that consumers are told if their food contains any GMOs.

The new GM avoidance guidelines were announced today by the Food and Drink Federation and the British Retail Consortium. Under European law any product containing more that 1 per cent GM material must be labelled as containing GMOs. FOE says this is inadequate and that products containing any detectable levels of GMO's must be labelled.

Pete Riley, senior food campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:

"British consumers have made it perfectly clear that they want GM-free food. They should be told if products contain any detectable levels of these unwanted ingredients. The current labelling laws are far too weak and allow the biotech industry to introduce GMOs into our food by stealth.”

FOE also warned that special attention needs to be given to seed and food crops to avoid accidental contamination. Separation distance between GM and non-GM crops are woefully inadequate and don't reflect the distances pollen can travel when carried by insects or wind.

Pete Riley continued:

“The current proposals for keeping seed and food crops free from GM contamination are pathetic.Unless separation distances between GM and non-GM crops are greatly increased widespread contamination is inevitable. If the biotech industry can't guarantee that their GM crops won't contaminate conventional crops then they shouldn't be allowed to grow them."

For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

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Archived press release

Foe welcomes new GM food code

BUT EU GM LABELLING LAW MUST BE CHANGED

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