SHOPS PLAN WARNING OVER `GENETIC' SOYA
PA 19.11.97 20:37
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By Jo Butler, Consumer Affairs Correspondent, PA News
Shops and food producers have announced plans to flag up products
which might contain genetically modified soya or maize.
The unilateral move follows delays at EU level to agree new laws
on labelling food made with products which have been altered
genetically.
Some 60% of food sold in supermarkets contains soya - much of it
from America - ranging from pizza bases, oils, salad dressings
and ice cream.
All products containing US soya will be labelled as a GM food.
Although only 15% of the US crop has been genetically modified,
it is not separated from conventional crops.
Retailers say compromise labels such as "may contain GM
soya" would only confuse consumers.
The new labels will come into place as the new US harvest works
its way through the food chain next year.
Products containing US maize will also be covered by the new
labels, although this does not apply to much produce on sale in
the UK.
Consumers wanting to avoid GM soya will have to look for
manufacturers buying their crops from the limited supplies
available outside America.
The scheme, which has industry-wide backing from the supermarket
chains, retailers, farmers, consumer groups and biotechnology
experts, will be launched at a new exhibition on genetically
modified food to be opened at London's Science Museum tomorrow.
It follows pressure from consumer groups anxious to ensure people
who wish to avoid GM food can do so.
Two other GM products are on sale in the UK.
Safeway said it had sold more than 750,000 cans of genetically
modified tomato puree introduced into its stores in February last
year.
The Co-Op also sells a vegetarian cheese made with a GM enzyme.
Guy Walker, president of the Food and Drink Federation,
spearheading the new labelling agreement along with the British
Retail Consortium and the Institute of Grocery Distribution, said
there was still an urgent need for European action.
"It is vital that labelling of genetically modified foods is
consistent - or we risk confusing consumers.
"To achieve this we need European-wide legislation.
"Manufacturers and retailers will be working together to
this end."
The move has been welcomed by Food Safety Minister Jeff Rooker,
who earlier this year called on stores to label the food clearly.
He said Britain was pressing at a European level for strict
labelling laws for food containing GM material.