Kraft, Campbell said selling GM foods in China (Xinhua) Updated: 2005-03-15 11:00
Global environmental organization Greenpeace accused two world leading food
producers, Kraft and Campbell, Monday of using genetically modified ingredients
in their products sold in China.
An inspection on 28 foods, which was commissioned by Greenpeace earlier this
year, found that the Ritz biscuit of Kraft Foods Inc.and the corn soup of the
Campbell's Soup Company contained generically engineered soybean ingredients.
The result was released on the eve of the World Consumer Day.
Greenpeace campaigner Ma Tianjie said at a press release that the two food
producers, who committed not to using GM ingredients in Europe, have failed to
adopt the same discriminating standards in the China.
By adopting "double standards," Ma said, the two companies have violated
Chinese consumers' rights of access to the information on foods they buy.
"Chinese consumers deserve the same rights and safety standards. It's
irresponsible to consumers and will also tarnish their business credibility for
the two companies to adopt double standards," Ma said.
The campaigner said that Greenpeace contacted the two companiesin
investigation, but their responses were not satisfactory.
The current regulations on labeling of genetically modified organisms in
China only stipulate that GM soybean, corn, rape, cotton and tomato, their seeds
and food oil made of them must be labeled.
Kraft is the second largest food producer in the world and opened several
ventures in China. Campbell is a leading soup provider in the world.
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