Shopping round on GE issue

ANNE BESTON'S trolley full of questions about the genetic make-up of her groceries turned up some interesting answers.

The issue of genetically engineered (GE) food has been one of the biggest news stories of the year.

While the politicians argued over labelling systems and thresholds for GE food, the public could be forgiven for feeling confused.

So the Herald decided to go shopping. We filled our supermarket trolley with items from an ordinary weekly shopping list, allowing for a bit of personal preference on the part of the reporter-shopper.

We then sent letters to the companies whose names appeared on the labels of the products in our trolley, asking each of them two questions:

*Does this product contain any genetically modified ingredients?

*Does this product contain any ingredients from animals which have been fed on genetically modified feed?

Below is the Herald's list, along with the companies' response.

(Where a company had more than one product in our survey, we grouped the products together.)

Tegel No. 18 fresh chicken.

Tegel 1kg crumbed chicken nuggets.

No GE is used in Tegel's breeding or livestock improvement programmes. Tegel chickens are given feed that contains GE soya. The nugget coating may or may not contain GE imported cornflour but is scheduled to be removed by September 1, 2001. Tegel says it will remove all GE ingredients to below the 0.1 per cent threshold by that date.

Rangitikei size-12 corn-fed free-range chicken.

No to both.

Champion 1.5kg standard-grade flour.

Bluebird Texan BBQ bulk corn chips.

Bluebird says these two products do not contain GE ingredients. The company says it is working with suppliers to find if any Bluebird products contain GE and, if they do, will find an alternative source or label according to the Anzfa standards and introduce it within two years.

Griffins chocolate Chit Chat biscuits.

Eta bulk cheese corn chips.

Griffins replies that because of consumer attitudes to GE, the company has decided not to use GE ingredients or additives. Griffins is identifying additives in its products and will substitute GE ingredients with conventional ones where required.

Amco Safflower oil.

No to both questions.

Robinsons 150g can of baby food (tender beef and garden vegetables).

Nutricia New Zealand says it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain non-GE ingredients. But the company says that when new labelling rules come into effect, it expects to be below the 0.1 per cent threshold.

Wattie's baby food (banana yoghurt dessert).

Wattie's 1kg sweet baby frozen peas.

Heinz cheesy bread sticks (for babies).

Wattie's 420g can of baked beans.

Wattie's 300g can of cream corn.

Wattie's 1-litre thicker tomato sauce.

Craig's strawberry jam.

Heinz Wattie's policy is to reject ingredients which contain GE material. The company says suppliers must tell the company if their product has GE content. It also says its products meet the new 0.1 per cent threshold for GE ingredients, below which labelling will not be required.

Tip Top vanilla ice cream.

Tip Top Ice-cream Company has accused the Herald of being simplistic and biased in carrying out its survey. The company says the questions asked were not answerable. It says Tip Top has a "conservative stance on genetic modification."

Mainland 1kg mild cheddar.

The company says that while it is confident its cheese is GE-free, it cannot confirm that within our timeframe. The question of products coming from animals fed on GE feed would take even longer to answer.

Anchor 750g tasty cheddar cheese.

Anchor 2-litre blue top milk.

Anchor says neither of these products contains genetically modified ingredients. It says it is not aware of any cows in NZ being fed genetically modified feed, because they are fed on pasture.

Ernest Adams plain meringue nests.

Vogels original mixed-grain sandwich bread.

Goodman Fielder says none of its products have "any material exposure" to genetically modified ingredients or ingredients from animals fed on GE feed.

Zeagold size 7 eggs, 1 dozen.

PCL Industries has referred us to the New Zealand Feed Manufacturers Association. Chickens on farms owned by PCL are given feed which may contain GE soya.

Tip-top Family Fresh sandwich bread.

Tip Top Bread says that to the best of its knowledge, the product does not contain GE ingredients. But it says that some minor imported ingredients, such as genetically modified corn or soy, may be in its products. The company is working to identify these ingredients and will switch to non-GE alternatives.

Kellogg's cornflakes 550g.

Kellogg says it is committed to GE-free breakfast cereals. None of the grains used in Kellogg's cornflakes are genetically modified.

Pam's golden queen peaches in syrup 820g.

The product does not contain any GE ingredients.

Maggi Satay 2-minute noodles.

Maggi mushroom soup mix.

Highlander condensed milk.

Nestle New Zealand says these products fall below the 0.1 per cent Anzfa standard. It is not aware of any of its ingredients coming from animals fed on GE feed.

Sprite 1.5-litre diet lemonade.

Coca-cola 1.5-litre.

No to both questions.

Sealord chunky tuna in spring water.

No to both questions.

Just Juice 1-litre orange and mango.

Does not contain GE ingredients as defined by the Anzfa standard (see guide).

Vegemite 840g.

No to both questions.

Bushells Red Label instant coffee 100g.

Importer FreshFood Services says Bushells coffee has been investigated for any GE ingredients, and it is the company's understanding from its suppliers that the product does not contain any.

Chelsea white sugar 1.5kg.

No to both questions.

Labels will guide consumers

In the middle of this year, Australia and New Zealand agreed on how to label GE foods. This was done by the Australia New Zealand Food Authority.

The new standard, called A18, will mean that a product containing more than 0.1 per cent of GE material must be labelled as containing genetically engineered ingredients.

Fresh goods sold in supermarkets, such as buns or pavlovas, will be exempt, as will restaurant meals and takeaways.

The size of labels, and exactly what they will say, has not been finalised.

Shoppers should see the GE material labels appearing on food products within the next year.


Herald Online feature: the GE debate

GE lessons from Britain

GE links

GE glossary