News

2013-02-26 |

Serbian public debates genetically modified food ban

In order to join the World Trade Organisation, Serbia must change a 2008 law which prohibits producing or trafficking genetically modified foods on its territory. With membership in the organisation, Serbia can still ban production of foods with genetically modified organisms, but cannot ban import of it. While some have accepted the argument in favour of changing the law, many remain against genetically enhanced foods.

2013-02-26 |

Coalition presses New Jersey to be first U.S. state to label GE food

A coalition of consumer and environmental groups is urging New Jersey to become the first state to require the labeling of genetically engineered foods. About 80 percent of corn and soybean crops are now grown with genetically modified seeds, but consumers aren’t aware that’s what they’re eating, said Stephanie Harris with the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey. “The health risks today are not entirely known, and many consumers feel that they do not want to be the guinea pigs of the industry in order to find out, 20 years down the road, what the health risks are,” she said.

2013-02-20 |

Namibian GM-free maize products contaminated by GM maize

Maize meal sold in some shops in Namibia is derived from genetically modified organisms, a recent test has revealed. Moreover, unsuspecting Namibian consumers are being charged at least an 8 percent “GMO free premium” on maize products [...] The test revealed Ace Instant porridge contains 56.82 percent GM maize while the popular White Star Maize contains 2.75 percent GM maize, and Top Score maize meal contains 1.09 percent GM maize. “The latter two are supposedly Namibia produced and are expected to have been GMO-free, but this is clearly not the case,” the NCT chairperson, Sandi Tjaronda, said at a media briefing yesterday.

2013-02-19 |

U.S. Rep. Polis (Colorado) to announce GMO labeling bill

U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Boulder, this week will announce his introduction of a bill that would require food containing genetically modified organisms to be clearly identified. “I am proud to help lead the GMO Labeling Bill, which is all about consumer choice and information,” Polis said in a news release. “It’s important to empower people with the information they need to make their own healthy choices. People have the right to make consumer decisions based on accurate transparency in labeling, and knowledge is power.” [...] “We were very honored his office called and asked if they could hold this press conference at Alfalfa’s,” said Mark Retzloff, president of Alfalfa’s. “Our company’s mission and beliefs resonate very closely with what Jared is doing.”

2013-02-19 |

Vermont (USA) lawmakers expect legal challenge if GMO label bill passes

Under a bill gaining support in the Statehouse, Vermont could be the first state in the nation to require labels on products made with genetically modified crops. Lawmakers are trying to craft the measure so it can withstand an expected court challenge. The labeling bill has attracted celebrity supporters. Jerry Greenfield of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream fame came to the Statehouse last week to make his pitch that consumers have a right to know what’s in their food. “And it’s a fundamental right. Why shouldn’t we know what we’re putting into our bodies?” he asked.

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