FSA criticises ‘GM-free’ labelling
“GM free” food sold in Britain is not what it seems, according to government watchdog the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Several products contained genetically modified soya derived from the products of US multinational Monsanto, the FSA found.
Some critics have charged US biotech firms and US President Bush’s admimnistration will mounting a campaign to force feed GM food to wary consumers in Britain, Europe, and around the world.
George Bush believes GM can help the food problem in Africa. But African critics claim dependency on imported GM foodstuffs will inevitably bankrupt local farming.
The FSA assessed the labelling of GM foods on behalf of the EU and found the presence of GM organisms in eight soya products, including beans, flour and protein concentrate.
The FSA said in three particualr samples — textured vegetable protein, vegetable protein mince and protein isolate — GM soya was found despite labelling claiming ‘GM-free status’.
The FSA argues that many foods are derived from soya, including bread, pizza bases, tofu and meat substitutes and this sets a dangerous precedent.
Although the residue was within the 1% guidelines, set by the EU, critics see biotech firms pushing their wares through the eventual blurring of the lines between the natural and the artefactual.
