Consumers slam watchdog over GMs

20 September 2001



Consumers slam watchdog over GMs

By FWi staff

SAFETY watchdogs have let consumers down over the issue of labeeling genetically-modified food, claims the Consumers Association.

The Food Standards Agency voted to maintain the current rules, and introduce a “GM-free” label after a public discussion on Wednesday (19 September).

But the Consumers Association said it was concerned that the move would not provide as much useful information as European Commission proposals.

The proposals would cover the approval, labelling and traceability of GM foods as well as threshold levels for contamination of food by GM crops.

National Consumer Council chairwoman Deirdre Hutton said she was amazed the agency decided not to support the extension of GM labelling to derivatives.

“It flies in the face of what we know consumers want,” she said. “Only last month we polled 2000 adults about GM labelling.

Ms Hutton said more than half of those questioned said they would still want to know specifically about GM derivatives in the food they eat.

• EU rules death knell for GM crops, FWi, 3 August, 2001
• Anger at EU rules on GM labelling, FWi, 26 July, 2001
• Brussels proposes GM label rules, FWi, 26 July, 2001
• Restart for GM approval talks, FWi, 23 July, 2001