GM ingredients in baby food prompt rethink

02 August 1999

GM ingredients in baby food prompt rethink

US baby foods manufacturer Gerber has been forced to rethink its whole business strategy after environmentalist group Greenpeace published evidence that its products contained genetically modified (GM) crops.

Gerber, owned by the Swiss conglomerate Novartis, is abandoning some of its long-standing maize and soya-bean suppliers. It opting to buy only “organic” maize.

The official view of the US Food and Drug Administration, which has approved licences for specific GM crops, is that they are safe and a potential boon to farmers and consumers alike. But there are hints of a change of mood.

But Dan Glickman, agricultural secretary, has recently announced extra regional monitoring of GM crops and a review of licensing procedures.

• The Independent 02/08/99 page 10