Superquinn is to allow the campaign group Genetic Concern give guided tours through one of its Dublin outlets and speak to customers about its stance against GM foods. The business group IBEC said the move by the supermarket chain was facilitating "propaganda in its rawest form, which will simply add to consumer confusion and misinformation".
It follows Superquinn's decision to withdraw all GM foods. Allowing Genetic Concern into its Blackrock store was in the interests of informing its customers, a spokeswoman insisted.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland chief executive, Dr Patrick Wall, said yesterday if there was any suggestion that Superquinn was adopting an anti-GM position and withdrawing GM foods on grounds of public health, it would be logical to "also remove the sale of cigarettes from its outlets".
The authority could not ensure balance on the GM issue, it could only advise consumers on safety of GM foods. It had concluded those currently on the market did not pose a health risk, he added.
Initially a one-day tour is scheduled, but Genetic Concern said the Superquinn tour was the first of a series. Its spokeswoman, Ms Sadhbh O'Neill, said it had approached Superquinn, as it was the first to begin removing GM ingredients for its own brands.
The tour would also cover aspects of intensive farming; labelling issues, the long-term implications of GM foods for babies and the use of GM technology in non-food crops. because of the use of GM cotton.
Superquinn's nutrition adviser, Ms Paula Mee, said the supermarket group had a policy of allowing tours in their premises; such as on diabetes, coeliac disease or vegetarianism (or both sides of a debate affecting consumers).
Superquinn was removing GM foods because it was "customer-driven", and its customers were uneasy about them. It was based on ethical and environmental concerns and "not at all for public health reasons".
The Food and Drink Federation of IBEC cautioned consumers about the accuracy of information provided by Genetic Concern. Its spokeswoman, Ms Kathryn Raleigh, said that while some members of Genetic Concern were in a position to talk about organic food because of their organic farming background, they had been shown up as "not as objective when it comes to GM foods".
Tours take place on Wednesday August 4th, for one day only. Genetic Concern has advised the public to book a place in advance by contacting their office at 014760360.
