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March 7, 2000
Friends of the Earth press release
European food manufacturers shun GMOs but consumers
urged to keep up the pressure
Most of the leading companies supplying food and drink to European consumers
are turning their backs on genetically modified (GMO) ingredients and
derivatives, a new survey by Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE) today
reveals [1]. The survey's publication coincides with the launch of a new
campaign by FoEE groups in twenty two countries across Europe calling
for a
halt to the GMO pollution of food and the environment [2].
The survey shows that most of the top food manufacturers are aware of
opposition to GMOs throughout Europe and have been forced to take action.
However, despite this, consumers across the continent are still eating
food
made with GMO crops.
- Many companies are not sourcing derivatives [3] (such as oils and
lecithin) from GMO-free crops. And because derivatives don't contain DNA
or
protein,
they are not subject to EU GMO labelling regulations - so there is no
legal
requirement to tell consumers if the food they are eating contains them;
- food companies are still providing food containing ingredients (dairy
and
meat) from animals reared on GMO animal feed;
- some companies, such as Nestle, Europe's largest food manufacturer,
may
supply food made from GMO-free crops in some countries, but not others;
- and even where ingredients and derivatives are sourced from GMO-free
crops, there is a risk of GMO pollution, either from cross-pollination
in
fields, or from contamination at some point along the food production
chain.
Contamination will become a bigger problem if more GMO crops are planted.
Friends of the Earth contacted 21of the world's top food and drink companies
and asked them for their policy on GMO ingredients and derivatives in
the
food they sold in Europe:
- 16 said that they sourced ingredients from GMO-free crops [4]. Most
indicated that their derivatives were - or would shortly be - from GMO-free
crops as well [5];
- one, Unilever, said it was moving to a new system in Europe where ìhardly
any GMO ingredients will be usedî;
- one, Nestle, the biggest food manufacturer in Europe, said it supplied
food made from GMO-free crops as far as practically possible, where the
public demanded it - but were unable to list in which countries this policy
operated.
- three did not reply [6].
Companies that said that they currently source all their ingredients from
GMO-free crops for the food and drink they sell in Europe, include Pepsi
Cola, Coca Cola, Heinz, Mars, Danone, Kellogs, Campbell Foods, Cadbury
Schweppes
and Kraft/ Jacobs/ Suchard. Almost all of these indicated that they also
source GMO-free derivatives. And Europe's top fast food chain McDonald's
Europe ìhave asked suppliers to source non-GM ingredients, additives
and
processing aidsî Today (Tuesday), at a Brussels press conference,
Friends of
the Earth Europe announced the launch of a new Europe-wide campaign to
halt
GMO pollution. FoEE groups in twenty two countries across Europe will
aim to
safeguard for the people of Europe the right to choose GMO-free food,
to
grow GMO-free crops and to protect GMO-free habitats [2].
Liana Stupples, GMO campaign co-ordinator for Friends of the Earth Europe
said: "This survey shows how food manufacturers are being forced
to listen
to European consumers increasingly concerned about potential health and
environmental damage from GMO food and crops. However, food containing
GMO
ingredients and derivatives, and ingredients from animals reared on GMO
animal feed is still being sold to European consumers who don't want it.
And
pollution from genetically modified crops poses a major threat to non-GMO
food sources. Consumers must continue to make it clear that they do not
want
these foods. Then companies and politicians will be forced to act.î
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] Friends of the Earth approached the top 26 companies from "The
World's
Top 100 Food and Drink Companies" [compiled by Seymour Cooke Food
Research
International]. They were asked what their policy was on GMO ingredients
and
derivatives for the food they sold in Europe (not just the EU). Five
companies were removed because they said that either they didn't supply
food
directly to consumers (they provided ingredients to food manufacturers)
or
they didn't supply to the European market.
[2] FoEE is launching its European GMO campaign at a press conference
in
Brussels. A separate press release is available. The campaign aims to
safeguard for the people of Europe the right to choose GM-free food, to
grow
GM-free
crops and to protect GM-free habitats. 23 FoE groups in 22 counties in
Europe are taking part. They are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, England/Wales and Northern Ireland, France, Germany,
Georgia,
Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Scotland,
Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the Ukraine.
[3] Derivatives don't contain DNA or protein but may have been manufactured
from GMO crops. For example oils made from GMO crops, and lecithin, an
emulsifier made from soya. Because derivatives do not contain DNA or protein
they do not have to be labelled under the EU GMO-labelling scheme.
[4] This includes 6 drinks companies that are unlikely to have used GMO
ingredients. Two, Bestfoods and Pillsbury (part of Diageo) said they'd
removed GMO ingredients covered by the EU labelling scheme - soya and
maize.
The regulations don't cover GMO tomato puree - which they are unlikely
to
use.
[5] Although all the companies were asked about their policy on GMO
derivatives, some didn't answer or gave imprecise answers.
[6] 3 companies didn't reply: ConAgra, Sara Lee Corporation and RJR Nabisco
SURVEY WITH COMPANY COMMENTS FOLLOWS
Friends of the Earth received replies from the following companies:
Nestle: "In those countries where consumers are reluctant to accept
the use
of GM crops as a source for ingredients, Nestle products do not contain
these
ingredients, in as far as practically possible".
Philip Morris [Kraft, Jacobs, Suchard]: "sourcing conventional, non-GM
soya
and maize based ingredients, including additives and flavours, controlled
through a system of analysis...we also fully recognise and respect the
fact
that consumer acceptance of biotechnology is lower in Europe than in other
parts of the world".
Unilever: The ìsituation in Europe is changing...[Unilever's new]
European
sourcing policy has to take into account the GM sensitivities in certain
markets...this will mean that [in the whole of Europe] hardly any GM
ingredients will be used.î
Pepsi Cola "Ingredients used in our products are not derived from
genetically modified sources and no GMOs are used in our soft drink
manufacturing
process or in those of our ingredient suppliers in Europe...we will review
and consider any new technologies and ingredients that have been approved
by
national and international health authorities, and accepted by consumers"
Coca Cola "... does not use any ingredients that are genetically
modified"
Diageo: Is made up of its drinks business (no information on GMO policy)
and
two food arms: Pillsbury - ìNone of our brands contain any ingredients
derived from genetically modified crops which could fall within the
labelling regulations in Europe. Recognising consumer concerns in Euorpe
, we
have
been progressively removing ingredients and additives that could have
been
derived from GM crops, wherever it is technically feasible...for the last
18
monthsî and; Burger King -ìin relation to the countries in
Europe...Burger
King has removed GM ingredients from its menu itemsî. BK had no
information
on derivatives.
Mars: "Products do not contain ingredients or additives from GM sources"
Danone: "respecting consumer concerns was a priority for Danone therefore
it
has decided not to use such ingredients in its products sold in the EU."
Danone told FoEE that this was the same position for derivatives.
Anheuser-Busch "For all our beer brands that we either brew in the
UK or
import into the European market, we use no GM ingredients. This includes
Budweiswer, Bud Light, Bud Ice (and) Michelob"
Kirin Brewery ìthink about our consumer's preference as a top priority.
Kirin Beer does not contain GM cropsî
Heinz : "Where there is potential for GM material to be present,
or where
ingredients are derived from soya or maize, we source non-GM, identity
preserved ingredients through carefully audited suppliers. In addition,
independent testing is carried out. We continue to take every possible
step
to ensure that Heinz varieties remain free of ingredients derived from
GM
crops...we are also reviewing all ingredients in respect of GM-derived
enzymes, and are already reviewing the use of GM animal feed"
Asashi Breweries: Asashi Beer Europe Ltd is "GMO-free"
Campbell Foods: "We respect the present concerns of consumers".
Campbell's
told FoEE that all its ingredients in Europe are from GMO-free crops.
Derivatives would shortly follow.
Bestfoods: told FoEE that there are no notifiable GMO ingredients (soya
and
maize)in their products, but said there was no company policy on sourcing
derivatives. Wouldn't put this in writing.
Seagram Spirits and wines: Products in Europe "contain no GMOs or
DNA"
Kellogg's: "Kellogg is conscious of consumer preferences and does
not use GM
maize or soya ingredients or derivatives in its breakfast cereals sold
in
Europe...At present, our other grain-based morning foods such as Kellogg's
Pop-tarts, Rice Krispies Squares and Nutri-Grain bars contain maize or
soya
derivatives produced from raw materials purchased on the world
market...Kellogg is currently seeking non-GM sources for these ingredients
and we hope to have completed this process by the end of the year."
Associated British Foods [ABF]: "A survey of our manufacturing operations
confirms that this [the process of ensuring that products contain neither
GMO ingredients nor derivatives of GMO crops] is now completed"
Cadbury Schweppes: Told Friends of the Earth that it is making every effort
to ensure that all its ingredients and derivatives are from GMO-free crops.
Friends of the Earth also contacted McDonald's Europe - Europe's largest
restaurant outlet. It said that "McDonald's in Europe have asked
suppliers
to source non-GM ingredients, additives and processing aidsî.
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