Mothers Call For Boycott Of All Infant Soy Formula

28 August 2003
12.30pm
PRESS RELEASE

Mothers Call For Boycott Of All Infant Soy Formula

MAdGE (mothers against genetic engineering in food and environment) are today calling for NZ parents to boycott all infant soy formulas until the Minister of Health and Food Safety discloses which brands contain detectable levels of genetically engineered soy.

“We are outraged that Annette King is withholding information on which brands are contaminated and will not reveal those formulas containing GE soy. It’s every mothers right to know what they are feeding their babies, especially as there has been no long term health testing of GM foods on either adults or infants.” said Hilary Ord, Madge spokeswoman.

In February last year Britain’s leading scientific academy, the Royal Society, recommended that potential health effects of genetically modified foods should be rigorously investigated before allowing them into baby food or be marketed to pregnant or breastfeeding women, the elderly or those with chronic diseases.

Professor Jim Smith, who introduced the report, said infants eating baby foods were particularly vulnerable because they had such a narrow diet. If there were any nutritional deficiencies in the food – for example fewer fatty acids – health would suffer; particularly infant bowel function. Small nutritional changes could lead to bowel obstruction. (The Guardian 5.2.02)

To date the testing recommended by the Royal Society of Scientists has not been done. Our children are not guinea pigs.

“Who is the minister protecting? Definitely not New Zealand mothers and babies! Most mothers would be horrified to know they are feeding their babies GE contaminated formula.” said Ms Ord.

Ends.

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