GREENPEACE: Court clears shopper of food terrorism
OTC 27.08.98 13:11
AUG 27, 1998, M2 Communications - A supermarket shopper, concerned over the introduction
of genetically engineered foods to UK shelves, was found not guilty of intending to cause
public alarm today at Highgate Magistrates Court, London.
Shannon Coggins, aged 32, was arrested on 28th March 1998 for placing a sticker onto a
packet of Batchelor's Beanfeast in Sainsbury's Supermarket, London N4.
Ms Coggins was so concerned that Unilever had started putting genetically engineered soya
into Batchelor's Beanfeast that she wanted to warn other shoppers of the contamination.
Ms Coggins was arrested and charged under section 38 of The Public Order Act 1986, which
deals with 'contamination of goods' and was introduced to prosecute people who blackmail
companies and endanger the public by meddling with actual foodstuffs. Today, the court
ruled that she had simply wanted to inform the public.
Greenpeace is sympathetic to Ms Coggins' concerns over genetically engineered foods and
has supported her since her arrest.
Greenpeace genetic campaigner Jim Thomas said: "This is a total vindication of Ms
Coggins' actions and a victory for consumers. Companies like Unilever can still legally
contaminate our food but at least the public has retained its right to voice its
objections."
Speaking from the court, Ms Coggins said:" "Genetic engineering is contaminating
our food. I don't want fish in my tomatoes, viruses in my soya beans or scorpion genes in
my cornflakes. And I'm not alone. 77% of people in this country want GE food banned."
In 1997, Unilever's joint Chair, Morris Tabaksblat, pledged that the company would react
to public views over its decision to add genetically engineered ingredients to its
products. In a statement to over two thousand grain traders, he said: "If in some
countries the public wants GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) free products then
(Unilever) will try to find them, whether this means buying other ingredients or reverting
to traditional raw materials. If we fail to respect consumers' views, we should not be
doing our jobs properly."
Ms Coggins is one of a growing number of concerned shoppers.
Recent opinion polls show that 77% of the British public want genetically engineered foods
banned (1), and the Vegetarian Society has warned that it will remove its endorsement of
Beanfeast if Unilever continues to add genetically engineered soya to the ingredients.
Unilever can manufacture uncontaminated Batchelors Beanfeast if it wanted to, despite its
claims that GE-free soya is not a realistic option. Henry Rosenthal of Norgrow UK, GE-free
soya suppliers, said: "Unilever's claim that it cannot source enough GE-free soya is
incorrect. There is enough GE-free soya available for this sort of application
(Beanfeast)."
"For all its promises, Unilever is continuing to flagrantly disregard its customers'
wishes. Now that people are screaming that they do not want this food and are even
prepared to face prosecution, it seems content to sit back and ignore them. What more will
it take before it listens to consumers and stops this experiment?" said Thomas.
Unilever aims to use Beanfeast as a test case to win public support before adding
genetically engineered ingredients to the other brand names it produces, such as Colemans,
Ragu and Flora.
Notes to Editors: The EU Directive on labelling genetically engineered products comes into
force on September 1st 1998. However, 90% of foods containing genetically engineered soya
do not fall under the new legislation.
Greenpeace has been running a campaign against genetically engineered soya in Unilever's
food since March 27 1998, in conjunction with Friends of the Earth and the Genetic
Engineering Network Henry Rosenthal can be contacted on 01945 410810 Van den Bergh Foods
can be contacted on 01293 648000 (Corinne Lyons)
(1) MORI poll June 1998
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