New Zealand Dairy Foods GE Free Status Welcomed By Greenpeace

Auckland 14th June 2001. Greenpeace today welcomed a statement from New Zealand Dairy Foods that outlined “a policy of ensuring that its products do not contain genetically modified ingredients”.

“New Zealand Dairy Foods has clearly responded to the concerns their customers have voiced over the use of GE in New Zealand foods. This is another significant move in the global rejection of GE foods by consumers.” said Annette Cotter, Greenpeace GE campaigner.

New Zealand Dairy Foods are one of the top four grocery producing companies in New Zealand and their Anchor and Fresh’N’Fruity brands are both among the top ten most popular brands.1

In their statement, New Zealand Dairy Foods say that, “Following an extensive survey of our ingredient suppliers, we can confirm that to the best of our endeavours, none of our products contain components derived from genetic modification.”

“New Zealand Dairy Foods have now joined several other leading brands in recognising that the public do not want to be part of an experiment that could effect the environment and health of New Zealand,” said Ms Cotter.

In the last year, Unilever, Heinz-Watties, Goodman Fielder, Cerebos Gregg’s, Quality Bakers and Frucor have committed to GE Free policies.

“Key dairy export markets like South East Asia and Europe are showing widespread opposition to GE. Anchor UK Ltd and New Zealand Dairy Foods have responded to this opposition and it’s time that the NZ Dairy Board does the same” said Ms Cotter. “NZ has the ability to capitalise on its clean green image, and export GE free and organic produce to a large global market.”

The New Zealand Dairy Foods decision comes as Greenpeace continues to distribute the second version of the GE Free Food Guide, outlines the GE status of food products and companies in New Zealand. The guide is available on the web at www.greenpeace.org.nz,

“Public demand for the GE Free Food Guide has exceeded all our expectations. The public does want to know which food companies are GE free and which companies are not. And in turn, this consumer concern is sending a clear message to food companies in New Zealand. That message is, ‘We want GE Free food.’” said Cotter.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

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