Issues

Genetic Engineering

Concerns over genetically engineered (GE) food include unknown health risks, threats to biodiversity, contamination of conventional and organic crops, increase in pesticide and herbicide use, and control over our food by multinational chemical companies who legally own the patents on the technology.

GE crops pose a very real threat to our food because, as living organisms, they can reproduce and spread and so once released they cannot be recalled. Their effects are irreversible.

The only GE crops grown in Australia presently that are related to our food are canola (introduced into Victoria in December 2008) and cottonseed oil. Both these can be labeled under 'vegetable oil'. GE ingredients may also be found in imported food products - likely to be derived from imported corn (maize) and soy, and local and imported canola and cottonseed products.

• look for foods labeled ‘GMO free', 'GE-free', 'Not genetically modified', certified 'Organic' & 'Bio-dynamic' or items that are 'Product of Australia' (except food containing cottonseed oil).
• Check the 'Greenpeace True Food Guide' for all brands guaranteed GE-free by their manufacturer (assurance they are not using GE ingredients anywhere in the food chain, including animal feed) . See www.truefood.org.au
• Have your say and oppose GE food crops in Australia. See www.geneethics.org

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