August 24, 1998
M2 PRESSWIRE
The Vegetarian Society has announced a new policy concerning
genetically modified foods and the licensing of its symbol.
The new policy states that:
'Genetically Modified products or products containing Genetically
Modified ingredients are not acceptable to The Vegetarian Society
because the Society believes it is impossible to guarantee that such
products are completely in accordance with the Society's vegetarian
principles.'
The Vegetarian Society's symbol, the most trusted guarantee of
vegetarian suitability, currently appears on over 2,000 food
products. From 1st August 1999 all food products using the symbol
will also be GMO free. Food companies, using the symbol, will be
invited to sign a contract specifying that all the ingredients used
in the manufacture of the product are from a non-genetically
modified source. The symbol's existing free-range egg criteria,
which exceeds current EC standards, guarantees that approved
products containing egg or egg albumen will use only free-range
eggs. The criteria also ensure that the product has not been tested
on animals.
The Society finds unacceptable any form of genetic engineering that
has a detrimental effect on the environment, on the health of
individuals or on the welfare of animals. The new policy
acknowledges that more research is needed into the potential
long-term risks associated with the technology and that the
development of GM foods brings in to effect ethical issues, which
are a concern to vegetarians. The Society believes an effective and
compulsory labelling scheme must be introduced to ensure consumer
choice over the consumption of GM foods. The Society believes the
imminent EC labelling legislation is insufficient.
"This change of policy will strengthen consumer confidence in the
Society's symbol and will enable vegetarians in the future to eat
vegetarian foods that are also free from GMOs. We are confident that
the news will be welcomed by vegetarian consumers across the country
and will further ensure a vegetarian diet is the healthiest and most
compassionate dietary choice" said Chris Dessent, Head of Public
Affairs for The Vegetarian Society.
NOTES TO EDITORS
* The Society will continue to endorse those vegetarian cheeses
developed with the use of biotechnology, which have been available
for over ten years. The traditional cheese making process uses an
enzyme extracted from rennet, which is taken from the stomach of a
calf. The Vegetarian Society endorsed vegetarian cheese In 1987, in
order to reduce the suffering of animals and with the long term view
of bringing an end to the use of animal rennet In the cheese making
process.
* 77% of the British public want a ban on the growing of GM crops
until their Impacts have been more fully assessed (MORI poll,
commissioned by GeneWatch).
CONTACT: The Vegetarian Society press office Tel: +44 (0)161 928 0793
[in the UK]
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The bottom line it seems, with regards to biotechnology genetically
engineered foods, is that, without our consent, we are all being
used as guinea pigs by a profit driven industry, for a dangerous
technological experiment. Despite serious concerns from the
international scientific community, the Clinton/Gore administration
and Washington bureaucrats still do not believe that the consumer
has the right to know what he or she is eating!!
The CONSUMER RIGHT TO KNOW initiative has united scientists,
physicians, elected officials, businesses, organizations, religious
leaders, entertainment industry members, farmers, and consumers
behind an effort to ensure mandatory labeling of genetically
engineered foods. For more information, please write Mothers for
Natural Law, P.O. Box 1177, Fairfield, IA 52556, USA; 515-472-2809
Please sign the PETITION at http://www.safe-food.org
or call toll-free 1 877 REAL FOOD
More sources for authoritative informations:
--> http://www.bio-integrity.org
The ALLIANCE FOR BIO-INTEGRITY: Landmark lawsuit challenging US Food
and Drug Administration policy on genetically engineered food:
Eminent scientists, health professionals, and religious leaders
demanding adequate safety testing and mandatory labeling: Charging
FDA with ignoring significant health risks, violating consumer
rights, and infringing religious freedom. Toll Free: 1 800 549 2131
--> http://home1.swipnet.se/~w-18472/indexeng.htm
PHYSICIANS AND SCIENTISTS AGAINST GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOOD, a
growing, international network for a moratorium on release of
genetically manipulated product in our food supply
--> http://www.purefood.org
--> http://www.natural-law.ca/genetic/geindex.html
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