Japan's leading chocolate maker Meiji Seika has recalled a range of
confectionery products, after it was discovered that they contained
a novel sweetener made with an unapproved genetically modified
enzyme.
A coalition of ethical stock market investors have called on 63 US
food, beverage and restaurant companies to stop using genetically
modified (GM) sugar beet.
As the EU debates retaining national bans on genetically modified
(GM) crops, one industry expert believes that failure to adapt
could grant foreign rivals using the technology an upper hand, not
least in terms of brewing a good beer.
Debate has been stirred in the UK over a future that could see GM
foods on supermarket shelves, as the government's outgoing chief
scientific advisor said he believes GM food to be safer than
convention food.
The European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) GMO panel has no safety concerns after reviewing data from French scientists suggesting toxicity concerns in rats fed the MON863 variety of GM maize from Monsanto.
DuPont has entered into a partnership with a US university, where
it will fund research for the genetic improvement of crops and
plant nutrition, the firm announced yesterday.
News that a variety of GM corn produced signs of liver and kidney
toxicity in rats should be a wake-up call for better testing and
more transparency from biotechs, if GMOs are to be accepted by
increasingly sceptical consumers.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has revealed that it will review the new data presented by French scientists that revealed toxicity concerns in rats fed the MON863 variety of GM maize from Monsanto.
Monsanto's genetically modified maize MON863, authorised for human consumption since 2006, showed signs of liver and kidney toxicity in a rat study, raising concerns about its safety.
The current move towards harmonising global regulations on
genetically modified food is a good thing, though agreement on
labelling remains as far away as ever, an IFT conference heard this
week.
A lawsuit filed against the US government aims to establish strict
safety laws for all genetically engineered foods, and require these
to be labeled once they are approved.
An online summary of a key FAO study into genetically modified food
has given the food industry unprecedented access to vital
information concerning the safety and potential risks of this
technology.
Amendments to Australia's food code continue, with the nation's
food agency calling on companies and organisations to comment on a
host of new proposals, including the addition of phytosterols to
fruit juices and fruit drinks.
NASA satellite technology could soon be used to help food producers
distinguish between GM (genetically modified) crops and non-GM
crops, opening the door to greater acceptance of GM food, writes
Anthony Fletcher.
It is a perversion of the 21st century that while affluent
societies continue the quest to slice the fat from their
increasingly obese populations, five million children die from
hunger each year, and more than 850m people go chronically...
Demands for both the US and Canada to take responsibility for
genetically modified (GM) food contamination and sign up to the
Cartagena Biosafety Protocol are likely to be frustrated, writes
Anthony Fletcher.
Canada's failure to grant a key biotechnology expert a visa in
order for him to attend this week's Cartagena Biosafety Protocol
meeting has angered activists, writes Anthony Fletcher.
Monsanto yesterday raised its estimates for the company's
second-quarter earnings on the back of successful results from its
seeds and traits business.
Australia and New Zealand consider changes to their food code,
inviting stakeholders to pass comment on a raft of propositions
from food additive approvals to labelling requirements.
Americans' attitudes about genetically modified (GM) foods remain
divided, although their opinions appear not be deeply held and can
be influenced by new information and events, according to a study
released this week, reports...
Food makers working on the European stage today are matching
consumer concerns over genetically modified organisms, largely
selecting non-GMO ingredients for their food formulations,
highlights a new survey.
Favourable news for the pro-GM camp as a team of British scientists
claims that genetically modified (GM) maize is less damaging to
wildlife than conventional varieties. At the same time, leading UK
organisations call on Tony Blair...
The tide is turning down under with a new poll showing Australians
are increasingly worried about genetically modified foods and the
risk they could pose to human health and the environment.