GREENPEACE WELCOMES MAJOR GLOBAL STEPS TO GET OUT OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD

30 July 1999

Washington /Amsterdam -- Greenpeace International today welcomed two major steps towards eliminating genetically modified ingredients from food products in the USA and Germany.

The US' largest baby food company Gerber/Novartis announced today that it will no longer use genetically engineered (GE) corn, soy or other ingredients. At the same time the second largest German retailer, Rewe, confirmed it will not sell any genetically engineered products under its own brand. Rewe follows the lead of two other major companies in Germany, Nestle and Tegelmanns, in going GE free.

The Gerber decision followed tests commissioned by Greenpeace on several baby food products in June. The samples showed that Gerber's Mixed Cereal for babies contained genetically modified material. In an article published in today's Wall Street Journal, Gerber's Swiss parent company Novartis states its aim to set the "gold standard" for the baby-food industry by eliminating genetically modified ingredients from its products.

"Gerber is making the right move in taking steps to avoid GE ingredients. This is a very significant decision in the United States and is likely to put pressure on other food companies to do the same," said Greenpeace Genetic Engineering Campaigner Isabelle Meister.

Today's Wall Street Journal also reports that Gerber's competitor, H.J. Heinz, has also decided to produce all of its baby foods without genetically altered ingredients.

"In poll after poll, European but also American consumers have made it overwhelmingly clear that they want to avoid genetic contamination. This is the beginning of the end of trying to forcefeed consumers unwanted and unneeded genetically manipulated food", said Meister.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Greenpeace Genetic Engineering Campaigner Isabelle Meister, +41 1 4474195
- Press Officer, Greenpeace USA, Craig Culp +1 202 2564042