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H ISBN 0-9732337-2-9 T What is GE Food? Your Right The Health and Genetically engineered or genetically modified to Know Environmental Risks of GMOs organisms (GMOs) are created by taking genes Greenpeace is offering you this guide because he planting of GE crops on millions of hectares of land and their intro- from organisms such we believe that, as consumers and citizens, T duction into our food supply is a giant genetic experiment. As living, as bacteria, viruses or you have the Right to Know what you are reproducing organisms, GMOs form a type of living pollution that can spread animals and inserting eating. A Decima poll commissioned by the across vast areas creating environmental risks that are unprecedented and Consumers Association of Canada (October them into other, often possibly irreversible. Some of the dangers include the loss of biodiversity; 2003) revealed that 88 per cent of Canadians unrelated, species. Unlike the development of superweeds and superpests leading to increased use traditional breeding, believe that labels for GE foods should be made mandatory by the Canadian government– of toxic pesticides; contamination of organic and conventional crops; and genetic engineering Greenpeace couldn’t agree more. If you lived harm to beneficial organisms. Health risks associated with GE food include creates new organisms in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China or the development of antibiotic resistance, allergic reactions, nutritional that would never occur Japan, you would have that right. Mandatory changes and the creation of toxins. The Canadian regulatory system for in nature, creating new labelling of GE food is the law in more than food biotechnology is extremely and unpredictable health 40 countries worldwide, covering approxi- and environmental risks. weak, and has been criticized mately 3 billion people. The term ‘genetically as inadequate by many experts engineered (GE) food’ While most of the world has opted for including the Royal Society refers to any product mandatory standards, the federal govern- What about of Canada, the Ontario Public containing or derived ment, with the support of the food industry, Health Association and the from GMOs. In Canada, has opted for voluntary measures that are Organic Food? Quebec Institute of Public Health. up to 70 per cent of the unlikely to lead to labels on GE food. More As the government requires NO processed foods found than six months after the introduction of The use of genetically engineered long term testing of GE foods, in grocery stores contain a voluntary standard, a Greenpeace inves- it’s impossible to determine tigation could not locate a single GE label organisms is prohibited under organic GE ingredients. what effects they are having. on any product in Canadian grocery stores. food standards. Organic foods are The most common No environmental or consumer group grown without the use of synthetic GE ingredients come supported the final standard adopted by chemicals or irradiation. Organic For these reasons, from crops like corn, the government. Meanwhile, in Quebec, standards require that attentive care Greenpeace demands soy, canola and cotton. an all party committee of the legislature be given– care that promotes health the end of environmental Biotechnology compa- has recommended that Quebec institute and meets the behavioural needs of release of GMOs and nies like Monsanto mandatory labelling for GE foods. livestock. GE animal feed is also pro- their use in our food. genetically engineer hibited. The best way to avoid GE food In 2001, your Members of Parliament these crops to produce is to purchase 100 per cent certified For more information, voted down a law that would have required a pesticide or to with- organic products, whole foods and please visit the Genetic mandatory labelling. The time has come stand the application fresh produce. There are a number Engineering section for you to know what you are eating. Make of herbicides. of third party certifiers in Canada of our website at: sure your MP knows you want mandatory who certify products as organic. www.greenpeace.ca 2 labelling of GE foods. 3 Take The Greenpeace Table of Contents Action Shoppers Guide Baby Food. 7 Food companies continue to use Baking Supplies. 7 genetically modified organisms (GMOs) he Greenpeace Shoppers Beverages. 8 in our food, ignoring the wishes of the Guide lists some of the T Candy and Chocolate. 9 majority of Canadians. One company in common foods found in particular stands out. Loblaw Companies Canada’s grocery stores that Canned and Jarred Foods . 10 Ltd. is the largest grocery retailer in Canada and owns both the are made with ingredients Cereals and Breakfast Foods . 11 President’s Choice and No Name brands. With more than 1 100 stores from genetically engineered Condiments. 12 in Canada operating under the names Loblaws, Zehrs, Real Canadian crops. The guide is not Cookies and Desserts. 13 Superstore, Provigo, Maxi, SuperValu, Extra Foods, Shop Easy, Lucky intended to be comprehen- Dried Meals and Sauce Mixes . 15 Dollar, Independent, Cash & Carry, Dominion in Newfoundland, Valu- sive but to offer a starting Frozen Foods . 15 mart, Fortinos, No Frills, Atlantic Superstore and Atlantic SaveEasy, point for shoppers who are Pasta and Dry Foods. 16 concerned about GE food. what Loblaws decides determines what you are eating. Salad Dressings and Oils . 17 As a general rule, check Snack Foods . 18 ingredient lists for prod- > Greenpeace is calling on Loblaws to: ucts made with corn, soy, Soups . 19 • Commit to the removal of genetically engineered (GE) ingredients from cotton or canola. These four Tomatoes and Pasta Sauces. 20 President’s Choice, No Name and other Loblaws brand name products. crops account for nearly Vegetarian/Dairy and • As an interim measure, immediately begin labelling products which 100 per cent of the GE crops Meat Alternatives . 21 contain GE ingredients and stop preventing suppliers from labelling grown in North America. products “Non-GE.” We’ve made every effort in • Instruct suppliers that Loblaws will begin a phase-out of all products this guide to list only foods that currently have a genetically engineered in their stores that contain GE ingredients. counterpart on the market. Those that don’t–such as most fresh fruit Retailers around the world have stopped experimenting on their and vegetables, olive oils, whole wheat or rice products, and many customers and have refused to sell GE foods. Sainsbury’s in England, others–have not been listed. Carrefour in France and Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods in North America The information in this guide comes primarily from direct communi- have all committed to the removal of GE foods in their name brand cations between Greenpeace and food producers. Some are reacting products. to what their customers want by providing non-GE food, while others If you think Loblaws and President’s Choice should give you have refused to do so. We hope that the Shoppers Guide will help you the same courtesy, contact Chairman Galen Weston at: navigate the unlabelled aisles of your local supermarket.