Inghams food product GE contaminated

New test reveals Inghams food product GE contaminated

Auckland, Thursday, 5 June 2003: Greenpeace today released results that show an Ingham frozen chicken product on sale in New Zealand is contaminated with genetically engineered (GE) soy ingredients (1). Earlier in the year, tests also revealed the Aussie-owned brand uses GE soy in its feed (2).

“Inghams are showing a total disregard for their customers preference – which is for GE-free food,” said Greenpeace campaigner Steve Abel.“ Inghams continue to import GE soy meal into New Zealand for use in animal feed – and this latest test shows that Inghams are using GE soy contaminated ingredients in their products too.”

Greenpeace also criticised lax labelling regulations which mean GE feed and many processed ingredients don’t require GE labelling and enter the food chain by stealth.

The environmental organisation is encouraging the public to phone Inghams on 0508 800 785 and express their opposition to GE food. Greenpeace volunteers will be distributing postcards addressed to Inghams and demanding that they remove GE feed and ingredients from the food chain.

“Supermarkets and other users of Inghams products and feed should also demand that the company commit to a GE free policy,” said Abel.

New Zealand’s biggest poultry producer Tegel and their feed subsidiary NRM, shifted to a non-GE feed policy in 2001 following a public campaign by Greenpeace.

“Tegel have set the standard for excluding GE ingredients in animal feed. It’s time for Inghams to clean up their act and stop contaminating New Zealand’s food chain with unwanted GE,” said Abel.

The growing of genetically engineered crops threatens conventional production and the environment and GE foods are insufficiently tested and labelled.

For further information Contact Greenpeace Campaigner Steve Abel – 021 565 175 Greenpeace Campaign Manager Glyn Walters – 021 772 661 Test results can be viewed online at: www.greenpeace.org.nz/campaigns/ge

(1) Inghams “2 Chicken Cordon Bleu” product made and purchased in New Zealand tested positive for GMO Roundup Ready (RR) soy in tests carried out by GeneScan Australia (AgriQuality) on 16 May 2003.

(2) Soy meal destined for Ingham feed mills in New Zealand tested positive for RR soy after tests by GeneScan on 14 March 2003.

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