Rating: NNNNN
BEFORE
As shipped by Nature’s Path
LOBLAWS SAYS: The company has its own line of organics that are supposedly free of genetically modified ingredients. But Loblaws doesn’t think there should be labelling, because there is no government-approved standard definition of GM and, therefore, no way to ensure that products making the claim are in fact GM-free.
“It’s basically misleading advertising.”
GEOFF WILSON, Loblaws, VP of industry and investor relations
THE CANADIAN COUNCIL OF GROCERY DISTRIBUTORS SAYS
Health Canada already checks the safety of GM products, and mandatory labelling of GM food should not be required.
“Given the space limitations on a package, there are other ways to inform people.”
JEANNE CRUICKSHANK, council VP
GREEENPEACE SAYS
Industry arguments that there’s no standard to ensure foods are actually GM-free are red herrings. GM pollen drifts into everything, but products can be grown and processed without the purposeful use of GMOs.
“Even when you say something is sugar-free, it’s impossible to ensure that that’s absolutely 100 per cent.”
HOLLY PENFOUND, Greenpeace GM campaigner
NATURE’S PATH SAYS
The company doesn’t claim its foods are GMO-free. Rather, it says it grows and processes its products without GMOs.
“I believe consumers have a right to know that 60 to 70 per cent of food contains GMO ingredients.”
ARRAN STEPHENS, Nature’s Path Foods
AFTER
Loblaw’s blacked out GMO info
PUBLIC ATTITUDES
Percentage of Canadians who support mandatory labelling of food containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs): 94
IN THE FIELDS
Crops that are currently genetically engineered: soybeans, corn, canola, flax, papayas, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, squash, radicchio
GM crops being tested in Canada: tobacco, potatoes, alfalfa, wheat, lentils, sugar beets, corn, canola, brown mustard, safflower
Number of countries with mandatory labelling laws for GMOs: 36 (including all the G-8 countries except Canada and the U.S.)
POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS
Resistance to antibiotics
Increased risk of allergies, including fatal anaphylaxis
Possible adverse effects from increased levels of iron and protein
POTENTIAL ECO RISKS
Soil degradation
Diminished crop biodiversity
Hybridization resulting in more aggressive weeds and reduced yields
UPCOMING
MP Charles Caccia’s private member’s bill seeking mandatory labelling of all GMO food. Lobby your MP.
Sources: Greenpeace, Canadian Health Coalition, Friends of the Earth, Royal Society of Canada report on GM food newsinsight:What Loblaws doesn’t want you to know
