Greenpeace alleges double standards over GM food practices
By Qin Chuan (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-03-15 06:13

Greenpeace has accused two international food companies in Beijing of double-standards with their genetically modified (GM) food policies.

Meanwhile, the latest consumer survey commissioned by the environmental group shows that Chinese consumers have become more aware of GM food, and more of them are rejecting it.

During December and January, a total of 28 food products were bought in markets in Beijing and Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province, and then tested by GeneScan, an international testing company, according to Greenpeace's Ma Tianjie.

The testing found that Kraft Food's Ritz cracker and Campbell Soup Company's Golden Corn soup contain ingredients made from GM soybean, Ma said.

The two companies have both promised not to use GM ingredients in Europe, but have not done so in China, Ma said.

"We are asking these companies not to sell GM food in China, as consumers deserve the same rights and safety standards everywhere," he said.

According to the survey, carried out by international market research company Ipsos, 62 per cent of respondents are aware of GM food, compared with 52 per cent in a similar survey commissioned by Greenpeace a year ago.

And 57 per cent said they would choose non-GM food over GM food, a dramatic rise from 40 per cent in the previous survey.

The survey was conducted in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, with 200 people questioned in each of the three cities.

Although the proportion of respondents who think it is necessary to label GM food in the survey was 83 per cent, down from the previous 90 per cent, it still shows that a majority of people support labelling, Ma said.

Campbell Soup Asia Ltd told China Daily yesterday that Golden Corn soup is manufactured in North America, where almost 70 per cent of all soybeans are genetically modified.

Highly refined soy protein is used as a flavour enhancer in the soup. That means it is a minor constituent, so if the soup does contain genetically modified material, this would be at an extremely low level, the company said.

It says food labelling regulations are currently being reviewed and modified in many countries, including China, and the company will comply with local regulations at all times.

Kraft declined to comment when contacted by China Daily, but on its website it admits GM ingredients may be used in its products in Asia.

To give consumers more information, Shanghai-based retailer Hua Lian GMS Shopping Centre Company Ltd will label non-GM food products in 16 of its stores in Shanghai and East China's Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces.

Currently, labelling is being carried out in the company's flagship store in Shanghai. Company spokesman Li Jie said the move was to give a clear message to consumers.

(China Daily 03/15/2005 page5)

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