Irish health food stores yesterday began a campaign seeking full-disclosure labelling of all foods which may by affected by genetically modified organisms (GMOs). They also accused the Government of not honouring its election promise of legislation requiring full-disclosure labelling.
The 42-member Irish Association of Health Stores (IAHS) has introduced its own full-disclosure labelling scheme, the first in Ireland, "to give consumers the information they require so they can make an informed choice about the products they buy".
Revised labelling regulations announced by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, earlier this month were completely inadequate, according to an IAHS spokeswoman, Ms Nancy Flexman. "They also fail to honour Fianna Fail's pre-election pledge to introduce full-disclosure labelling."
Under the new regulations, notifiers (producers) must indicate on the label or in an accompanying document that the product may contain or may consist of GMOs. "However, the regulations only apply to live seeds. So, for example, genetically engineered wheat grain or sunflower seeds will require labelling but not flour or sunflower oil.
"Animal feeds will be exempt from mandatory labelling and the regulations will not apply to genetically engineered seeds already on the market, such as Monsanto's soya beans," she said.
The regulations would only require full-disclosure labelling for a small minority of foods affected by GMOs. While IAHS stores were making every effort to stock foods which were not genetically engineered, in many cases they could not be certain whether they were affected by GMOs.
"So we will be labelling the products so that foods which may themselves be genetically engineered or contain genetically engineered ingredients will be clearly indicated by a label or shelf marker. It will simply read: `Keeping you better informed, may contain genetically engineered ingredients'," said Ms Flexman.
Products which may involve GMOs in their manufacture or may be by-products of genetically engineered substances will also be indicated. The IAHS will be providing information leaflets for customers, explaining the labelling system. Postcards will be circulated to facilitate requests to politicians that they introduce full-disclosure labelling.
Ms Flexman said genetically modified foods had not been adequately tested and should be banned until proved safe. "At a minimum, there should be full disclosure labelling so consumers are aware of what they are buying and know what they are eating or drinking."
She said many consumers were unaware of how widespread the use of genetically engineered products could be within the food chain. Soya bean was present in over 7,000 products, or 60 per cent of processed foods, including sausages, chicken nuggets, soups, chocolate and dairy products.
"But because the by-products of genetically engineered soya products can still be sold without any distinguishing label, consumers are not in a position to know whether foods contain genetically modified ingredients or not, and so cannot exercise any discretion."
