The UK Food Standards Agency has launched a study into the consumer perceptions of Genetically Modified (GM) food amid assertions that it may not be possible to maintain a GM-free supply chain in coming years. The Agency has been asked by the Government to lead a dialogue project to explore the subject of GM with consumers. The project will provide an opportunity to discuss with consumers their understanding of GM and what they think it might bring in terms of risks and benefits. It will also explore... ...Read more »

People remain cautious about the emergence of new food technologies according to a review of existing research, published by the UK’s Food Standards Agency.The report, which looks at research since 1999, brings together knowledge from the UK and beyond, on public opinion about up-and-coming food technologies, such as nanotechnologies and cloning. According to the research, GM and animal cloning remain the areas of most concern for people. However, the review also showed that food technologies... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has today invited individuals and organisations with an interest in the regulation of food to provide information and comment on an application to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.The application is seeking approval for food derived from a genetically modified soybean, which must undergo a safety evaluation by FSANZ before it can be sold in Australia and New Zealand. Submissions should reach FSANZ by Friday 1 May 2009. Food derived from... ...Read more »

Australian culinary icon Margaret Fulton today launched the ‘Canola Edition’ of the Greenpeace True Food Guide, which aims to help consumers avoid buying genetically engineered (GE) food products. Ms Fulton, widely renowned for her food writing, likened the major companies pushing GM (Genetically Modified) to Adolf Hitler, according to reports. The launch, at Sydney’s Bird Cow Fish restaurant, was supported by a number of leading figures in the food industry. Prominent supermarket... ...Read more »

Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke told the UN Food and Agriculture Organization overnight that he believes GM crops could play a vital role in coping with a global food shortage and climate change. The GM debate continues to be fuelled, with some arguing they are a solution to a potential crisis, while others fear they will merely create more problems. Studies suggest, however, that the majority of consumers are still to make up their mind. Greenpeace last month released a report, ‘Eating... ...Read more »

  Greenpeace has questioned the approval process used by food standards body FSANZ, with the environmental activists reporting that eight leading scientists have endorsed their new report critiquing the regulation of genetically engineered (GE) food in Australia. The report, Eating in the Dark, calls for an urgent independent review of the safety assessment regime for GE food, and for all foods derived from GE crops to be labelled. The report argues that Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)... ...Read more »

Ninety per cent of Australians want all genetically modified (GM) products labelled and are less likely to purchase such products, according to a recent Newspoll poll. According to the poll, which was commissioned by anti-GM campaigners Greenpeace, when asked if food products from GM crops and animals fed with GM feed should or should not be labelled, 90% of the respondents said they should be labelled. The 25-34 age group was the most keen for labelling of GM food (95%), with the 18-24 age group... ...Read more »

Genetically Modified (GM) crops continue to polarise opinion, with the WA Opposition indicating they will allow trials of GM canola and permit the planting of GM cotton if they triumph in September’s election. The Labor Government has, however, remained steadfast in their belief that the state should remain GM-free, with Premier Alan Carpenter indicating a moratorium on GM crops will remain if he is re-elected. “I will not, in the next term of government, allow GM crops to be grown on... ...Read more »

Gene Ethics has disputed claims by the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) that they exhibited a lack of ethics when publishing the suspected sites of GM crop farming in Victoria. Gene Ethics published a map of commercial Genetically Modified (GM) canola sites on their website on Tuesday in response to their concern about GM-crops. “Gene Ethics presents its online map of commercial GM canola sites being grown this winter as a service to the Victorian public,” claimed Bob Phelps,... ...Read more »

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has labelled moves by anti-GM group Gene Ethics, to place a list of names and property locations of farmers supposedly growing GM Canola on their website, as a disgrace. The map includes the property location of Victorian Premier John Brumby. VFF President, Simon Ramsay said that the release of unconfirmed maps of supposed GM Canola sites with the names of property owners was appalling. “This is a disgraceful and unsubstantiated witch hunt and shows how... ...Read more »