Food Authorities 'OK' Rat Trial Data on GM corn

Food Authorities 'OK' Rat Trial Data on GM corn

GE Free NZ in food and environment is rejecting claims by the NZFSA that it has reviewed the data from Monsanto's rat trials on GM corn and is able to dismiss the results as insignificant.

Reports that Monsanto had refused to release the data appear to have been wrong as the NZFSA now claim they have reviewed and dismissed the experiments. If this is true it is vital that the data be published to allow independent scientists to scrutinise it, and restore public confidence in the process.

"We don't believe the NZFSA has taken the issue seriously as they seem more interested in dismissing the data than releasing it for independent scientists to make input. We have no confidence that the NZFSA have been rigorous in applying the precautionary principle or instigating follow-up research," says Jon Carapiet from GE Free NZ in food and environment.

Even more concerning is that the NZFSA are treating requests for a recall of the product with disdain, admitting they have no idea where the products may be in the food chain.

This is an urgent wake-up call for food safety authorities and the public. Our regulatory system is incapable of monitoring or tracking novel foods like this GM corn, and equally incapable of withdrawing a products when necessary.

If this was a pharmaceutical- contamination from GM corn, or if MON 863 or any other wrongly approved crop is found to be harmful, what would NZFSA do?

Unfortunately, we can see from this test-case; the answer is apparently 'Nothing'.

This case shows there is a need for a overhaul of the monitoring and recall-system for foods. Government and the NZFSA are on notice that failure to improve their system represents a significant threat to public health. Action is needed before it is too late.

ENDS

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