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07 Mar 2000
Most of the leading companies supplying food and drink to European consumers
are turning their backs on genetically modified (GMO) ingredients and
derivatives, a new survey by Friends of the Earth Europe (FoEE) today
reveals [1]. The survey's publication coincides with the launch of a new
campaign by FoEE groups in twenty two countries across Europe calling
for a halt to the GMO pollution of food and the environment [2].
The survey shows that most of the top food manufacturers are aware of opposition to GMOs throughout Europe and have been forced to take action. However, despite this, consumers across the continent are still eating food made with GMO crops.
Many companies are not sourcing derivatives [3] (such as oils and lecithin) from GMO-free crops. And because derivatives don't contain DNA or protein, they are not subject to EU GMO labelling regulations - so there is no legal requirement to tell consumers if the food they are eating contains them;
Friends of the Earth contacted 21of the world's top food and drink companies and asked them for their policy on GMO ingredients and derivatives in the food they sold in Europe:
Companies that said that they currently source all their ingredients
from GMO-free crops for the food and drink they sell in Europe, include
Pepsi Cola, Coca Cola, Heinz, Mars,
Danone, Kellogs, Campbell Foods, Cadbury Schweppes and
Kraft/ Jacobs/ Suchard.Almost all of these indicated that they also
source GMO-free derivatives. And Europe's top fast food chain McDonald's
Europe “have asked suppliers to source non-GM ingredients,additives
and processing aids”
Today (Tuesday), at a Brussels press conference, Friends of the Earth
Europe announced the launch of a new Europe-wide campaign to halt GMO
pollution. FoEE groups in twenty two countries across Europe will aim
to safeguard for the people of Europe the right to choose GMO-free food,
to grow GMO-free crops and to protect GMO-free habitats [2].
Liana Stupples, GMO campaign co-ordinator for Friends of the Earth Europe
said:
"This survey shows how food manufacturers are being forced to
listen to European consumers increasingly concerned about potential health
and environmental damage from GMO food and crops. However, food containing
GMO ingredients and derivatives, and ingredients from animals reared on
GMO animal feed is still being sold to European consumers who don't want
it. And pollution from genetically modified crops poses a major threat
to non-GMO food sources. Consumers must continue to make it clear that
they do not want these foods. Then companies and politicians will be forced
to act.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] Friends of the Earth approached the
top 26 companies from "The World's Top 100 Food and Drink Companies"
[compiled by Seymour Cooke Food Research International]. They were
asked what their policy was on GMO ingredients and derivatives for the
food they sold in Europe (not just the EU). Five companies were removed
because they said that either they didn't supply food directly to consumers
(they provided ingredients to food manufacturers) or they didn't supply
to the European market.
[2] FoEE is launching its European GMO campaign at a press conference in Brussels. A separate press release is available. The campaign aims to safeguard for the people of Europe the right to choose GM-free food, to grow GM-free crops and to protect GM-free habitats. 23 FoE groups in 22 counties in Europe are taking part. They are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, England/Wales and Northern Ireland, France, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Netherlands,Poland, Scotland, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the Ukraine.
[3] Derivatives don't contain DNA or protein but may have been manufactured from GMO crops. For example oils made from GMO crops, and lecithin, an emulsifier made from soya. Because derivatives do not contain DNA or protein they do not have to be labelled under the EU GMO-labelling scheme.
[4] This includes 6 drinks companies that are unlikely to have used GMO ingredients. Two, Bestfoods and Pillsbury (part of Diageo) said they'd removed GMO ingredients covered by the EU labelling scheme - soya and maize. The regulations don't cover GMO tomato puree - which they are unlikely to use.
[5] Although all the companies were asked about their policy on GMO derivatives, some didn't answer or gave imprecise answers.
[6] 3 companies didn't reply: ConAgra,
Sara Lee Corporation and RJR Nabisco
Friends of the Earth received replies from the following companies:
Nestle: "In those countries where consumers are reluctant
to accept the use of GM crops as a source for ingredients, Nestle products
do not contain these ingredients, in as far as practically possible".
Philip Morris [Kraft, Jacobs, Suchard]: "sourcing conventional,
non-GM soya and maize based ingredients, including additives and flavours,
controlled through a system of analysis...we also fully recognise and
respect the fact that consumer acceptance of biotechnology is lower in
Europe than in other parts of the world".
Unilever: The “situation in Europe is changing...[Unilever's
new] European sourcing policy has to take into account the GM sensitivities
in certain markets...this will mean that [in the whole of Europe]
hardly any GM ingredients will be used.”
Pepsi Cola "Ingredients used in our products are not
derived from genetically modified sources and no GMOs are used in our
soft drink manufacturing process or in those of our ingredient suppliers
in Europe...we will review and consider any new technologies and ingredients
that have been approved by national and international health authorities,
and accepted by consumers"
Coca Cola "... does not use any ingredients that are
genetically modified"
Diageo: Is made up of its drinks business (no information on
GMO policy) and two food arms: Pillsbury - “None of our
brands contain any ingredients derived from genetically modified crops
which could fall within the labelling regulations in Europe. Recognising
consumer concerns in Euorpe , we have been progressively removing ingredients
and additives that could have been derived from GM crops, wherever it
is technically feasible...for the last 18 months” and; Burger
King -“in relation to the countries in Europe...Burger King
has removed GM ingredients from its menu items”. BK had no information
on derivatives.
Mars: "Products do not contain ingredients or additives
from GM sources"
Danone: "respecting consumer concerns was a priority
for Danone therefore it has decided not to use such ingredients in its
products sold in the EU." Danone told FoEE that this was the
same position for derivatives.
Anheuser-Busch "For all our beer brands that we either
brew in the UK or import into the European market, we use no GM ingredients.
This includes Budweiswer, Bud Light, Bud Ice(and) Michelob"
Kirin Brewery “think about our consumer's preference
as a top priority. Kirin Beer does not contain GM crops”
Heinz : "Where there is potential for GM material to be present, or where ingredients are derived from soya or maize, we source non-GM, identity preserved ingredients through
carefully audited suppliers. In addition, independent testing is carried
out. We continue to take every possible step to ensure that Heinz varieties
remain free of ingredients derived from GM crops...we are also reviewing
all ingredients in respect of GM-derived enzymes,and are already reviewing
the use of GM animal feed"
Asashi Breweries: Asashi Beer Europe Ltd is "GMO-free"
Campbell Foods: "We respect the present concerns of consumers".
Campbell's told FoEE that all its ingredients in Europe are from GMO-free
crops. Derivatives would shortly follow.
Bestfoods: told FoEE that there are no notifiable GMO ingredients
(soya and maize)in their products, but said there was no company policy
on sourcing derivatives. Wouldn't put this in writing.
Seagram Spirits and wines: Products in Europe "contain
no GMOs or DNA"
Kellogg's: "Kellogg is conscious of consumer preferences
and does not use GM maize or soya ingredients or derivatives in its breakfast
cereals sold in Europe...At present, our other grain-based morning foods
such as Kellogg's Pop-tarts, Rice Krispies Squares and Nutri-Grain bars
contain maize or soya derivatives produced from raw materials purchased
on the world market...Kellogg is currently seeking non-GM sources for
these ingredients and we hope to have completed this process by the end
of the year."
Associated British Foods [ABF]: "A survey of our manufacturing
operations confirms that this [the process of ensuring that products
contain neither GMO ingredients nor derivatives of GMO crops] is now
completed"
Cadbury Schweppes: Told Friends of the Earth that it is making
every effort to ensure that all its ingredients and derivatives are from
GMO-free crops.
Friends of the Earth also contacted McDonald's Europe - Europe's
largest restaurant outlet. It said that "McDonald's in Europe
have asked suppliers to source non-GM ingredients, additives and processing
aids”.
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
Media team
