Yet more GE food to be approved for New Zealand

The Greens are alarmed that Food Standards Australia New Zealand has announced three new applications for genetically engineered commodities to be permitted into our food supply - two cotton varieties and one corn.

This is in addition to the 34 GE plant varieties that have already been approved for use as ingredients in our food. A further five are due for approval shortly.

"Most New Zealanders will be shocked to learn that 34 genetically engineered plants have already been approved for use in our food, and that most of them don't have to be declared on a label," says Green Party Health Spokesperson Sue Kedgley.

"Genetically engineered soybean, canola, corn, potato, sugarbeet, cotton, wheat and lucerne have all been approved for use in our food, but in the absence of labelling there's no way that consumers can work out whether ingredients in our food are genetically engineered or not.

"Our current labelling system is deceptive and misleading. Most GE ingredients don't have to be declared on a label, denying concerned consumers the democratic right to avoid GE foods if they choose.

"With more than 30 GE commodities now approved for use in food, and many more in the pipeline, its time we revisited our labelling laws and required full disclosure of GE ingredients in our food."

Ms Kedgley says that two of the 34 approved commodities had subsequently had their approval withdrawn, including a corn breed which when processed or cooked produces toxic compounds linked to several human illnesses including Alzheimer's disease, diabetes mellitis and cardiovascular disease.

ENDS

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