Nestle uses consumers as guinea pigs:
Greenpeace finds “unknown DNA” in Nestle products

HONG KONG, CHINA, 3 April 2002 – Greenpeace today exposed two Nestle food products popular in Hong Kong as containing “unknown DNA,” the first such discovery in local food products since such DNA's existence came to world attention last August. The paucity of information about this DNA, which was found in the Nestle food during tests conducted by Greenpeace, means the company is effectively using its customers as guinea pigs.

Greenpeace found the unknown DNA in Nestle's Pak Fook Beancurd Dessert and Pak Fook Fresh Soya Milk, both of which contain genetically engineered (GE) Roundup Ready soya from the US agribusiness giant Monsanto. Crucial information regarding the origin of this unidentified segment of DNA and its possible functions and effects are still not known and might pose a risk to human health and the environment.

As Sze Pang Cheung, Greenpeace GE campaigner in China, says, "Monsanto does not even know the basic genetic information about what is in their GE soya, how can they promise us that their GE products are safe?”

Some scientists are concerned that the unknown DNA may result in unintended and unexpected changes to plant protein chemistry, and that such changes may be significant but not immediately obvious, possibly only appearing after several generations.

The function of this unidentified DNA is unknown and untested since the original risk assessment done on Monsanto’s GE soya did not take into account its presence. Therefore, the risk assessment done in 1994 to 1996 cannot claim to be a valid safety assessment of the GE soya currently being sold worldwide.

"Hong Kong has no risk assessment of GE foods, the government should adopt the precautionary principle and act with urgency to bring in a labelling system so that consumers can avoid GE foods,” Sze cautioned.

For further information visit the Greenpeace China website.

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