GM brochure lacks health, environment
The Australian Consumers Association (ACA) says a new Federal Government brochure on genetically modified (GM) foods fails to mention the two issues that consumers really care about.
Australian federal government agency Biotechnology Australia which published the brochure said it had been produced to address consumer concern over GM foods, particularly their safety. The brochure explains how to identify GM foods, how genetic modification is carried out, which foods have been modified, and how the industry is regulated.
However, ACA senior policy officer Matt O'Neill said the brochure, Genetically Modified Foods - Information and Answers to Your Questions does not discuss the environmental or health effects of GM foods.
"Apart from mentioning the government's long term commitment to labeling, it looks like a sales brochure for genetically modified foods," he said. "Are consumers looking to hear from a government department? A community panel at last year's Consensus conference on genetically modified foods said they wanted public information to include a variety of perspectives."
The brochure will be distributed to Australian supermarkets later this month. The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council are currently developing a scheme for labeling GM foods, but it is unlikely this will be ready for another 12 months.