GE Free NZ Press Release - 16.11.01

Woolworth's Brand's go "GE-Free"

GE-Free New Zealand is welcoming the decision by Woolworths, one of New Zealand's major supermarkets and owners of Big Fresh, to make their own products GE-Free.

Woolworths Director Des Flynn revealed the move after news reports that Woolworths had taken legal advice following calls by Waitakere City's Mayor for a GM-Food boycot.

"Our own Brands - First Choice and No Frills - are GE free," said Mr Flynn. The announcement was prompted when the status of their products was queried by concerned customers. Though under present labelling laws most GE ingredients do not have to be labelled , some labels will be needed in December and may help people to avoid GE.

Mr Flyn said the company had talked to its lawyers to obtain advice on what business process changes needed to occur in order to continue to adhere to legislation from December 7th.

" We expect to see their products labelled 'GE-Free', and hope they will avoid ingredients that are not required to be labelled such as their bakery products", said a spokesperson for GE-Free NZ. "The Royal Commission recommended the government support companies to label products GE-Free, and manufacturers must secure their supplies from increasing levels of GE contamination in the food-chain."

ENDS

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