GENETIC ENGINEERING IS CONTAMINATING OUR FOOD
Food Producers Can Stop It
Throughout Europe consumer polls show undeniable opposition to genetically engineered (GE) foods. The public wants REAL food - natural and uninterfered with. But while genetically engineered products are coming on to the market, the very least consumers demand is the right to know what they eat. They want a natural source of food and clear labelling of foods containing genetically engineered material.
It's the food producers who can give them what they want. Unilever, Danone and Nestle are Europe's leading food producers, and the biggest European buyers of soya beans for food from the US. They buy the oil and other derivatives from the soya to use in over 60% of our processed foods.
By refusing genetically engineered products and sourcing their raw materials from non-genetically engineered crops, these companies have the power to prevent genetically engineered soya, corn or other products from getting into our foods.
But Unilever, Danone and Nestle have been keeping their options open. While publically saying they want no genetically engineered products, they are continuing to do business with the companies providing them.
CONSUMERS WANT REAL FOOD.
Food producers must commit themselves to producing only foods which are 100% GE free.
UNILEVER - Although Unilever in Germany and Austria has said it will not use GE products in their foods, this food processor has no consistent policy around the world. In the UK Headquarters itrecently revoked a commitment not to use GE soya in its foods, and in the Netherlands Unilever has said it will accept genetically engineered soya.
NESTLE - Although in some countries, Nestle has said it does not want to use genetically engineered soya, the company is also keeping its options open by saying it will label foods that do contain GE products. In other countries Nestle has taken a hard pro-genetic engineering line. Nestle International still want to force genetically engineered food on to the consumer.
DANONE - This company is pro genetic engineering of foods. They have said that they will decide on the use of genetically engineered soya on a country by country basis.
WHAT GREENPEACE WANTS:
Unilever, Danone, Nestle and other food producers must go public and confirm in writing that they will:
- Insist that suppliers of soya and corn in the US, Argentina etc. separate genetically engineered products from natural ones.
- Refuse to buy any genetically engineered products to use in any of their foods.
- Source their raw materials from suppliers who can provide non-genetically engineered products. For instance rape seed/canola oil rather than soya oil if they cannot be assured that it is GE free.
- Provide consumers with a clear choice of foods which are GE free.Foods that are not GE free should carry labels which state specifically that they contain genetically engineered organisms.