GM foods - are producers fighting an uphill battle?
18 June, 2013 Aoife Boothroyd 0 comments
GM foods - are producers fighting an uphill battle?Genetically modified foods, what do they mean to industry and the consumer?
Genetically modified foods, what do they mean to industry and the consumer? Image:www.naturalhealth365.com
Widely viewed as either a breakthrough in scientific research or a dangerous experiment, genetically modified foods are not exactly shy of media attention.
Unapproved genetically modified wheat from GM giant Monsanto was recently detected in a field in Oregon. The discovery resulted in both Japan and South Korea suspending wheat imports from the US, and further fuelled the debate surrounding the safety of GM seeds.
Executive director of the US Centre for Food Safety, Andrew Kimbrell said Monsanto has placed the US wheat industry at grave risk and that it must be held responsible .. http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20130606-709965.html .
Over 90 percent of corn and soybean crops in the US are genetically modified. New labelling laws .. http://www.foodmag.com.au/news/us-food-companies-scramble-to-source-non-gm-ingred .. which will require the mandatory labelling of foods that contain GM ingredients, are seeing food manufacturers across the country struggle to source conventional ingredients to replace GM varieties in fear that sales will dwindle once food is properly labelled.
But what does this mean for Australian food manufacturers and producers? What GM crops are grown in Australia? What are the laws surrounding GM labelling? And are genetically altered seeds as dangerous as protesters make them out to be?
If GM foods are perfectly safe, like GM giant Monsanto says, then why would the US industry be so opposed to mandatory labelling?
GM seeds, what are they all about?
GM seeds have had specific changes introduced into their DNA which resist the effects of pests and bacteria that can cause damage or ultimately kill a crop. There is a general consensus from many scientists that GM crops are safe .. http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Genetically_modified_foods .. and pose no greater threat to human health than conventional varieties.
By manipulating the genetic make-up of foods, scientists are able to select the most desirable characteristics of a plant, (ie, pest resistance or high yield) for breeding the next generation.
GM foods boast a host of benefits: they’re hardy, inexpensive and a practical solution to feeding the world’s ever growing population.
Despite these positive attributes, many members of the public and scientific community are actively questioning the validity of studies into the safety of genetically modified foods.
A recent study conducted by Australian and US researchers found that pigs that were fed a diet of genetically modified grain showed significantly higher rates (20 percent) of stomach inflammation .. http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2013/06/12/3779903.htm#.Ub5tk9hacnM .. than pigs who were fed conventional feed. The study, which was published in the Journal of Organic Systems, was conducted over 22.7 weeks using 168 newly weaned pigs in a commercial piggery located in the US.
Earlier this year, a peer reviewed report published in the Scientific Journal of Entropy .. http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/15/4/1416 .. concluded that residues of glyphosate -a key ingredient in Monsanto’s popular herbicide Roundup - has been found in food. Roundup is designed for use on Monsanto’s Roundup Ready GM crops which have been engineered to withstand the herbicide.
Evidence in the report suggests that glyphosate and indeed Roundup, could be linked to a range of health problems and diseases including Parkinson’s, infertility and cancers.
US retail giant Whole Foods Market, has also added pressure by refusing to sell any GM produce or processed foods in any of their stores by 2018, unless they’re labelled accordingly.
A pressing concern for many businesses is the process involved in switching from GM to non-GM certified produce. The cost for conventional, non-GM ingredients is far higher than that of genetically modified crops and produce in the US.
Approximately 90 percent of US corn, soybeans, canola and sugar beets are genetically modified and farmers that are willing to make the switch to non-GM will need to sacrifice a lot of time before they’re able to harvest, as the soil may not be immediately suitable for non-GMO certification.
“There’s a transition period required,” said Richard Kamolvathin, senior vice president at Verity Farms, which sells meats, grains and other products derived from conventional crops, as well as natural soil amendments.
“You don’t just stop growing GMO seed and then start growing non-GMO seed,” he said.
Taste and consistency of product is another factor that needs to be considered when making the switch, as the product will need to be tried and tested to capture the same flavours and mouth feel as the original GM ingredients.
GM foods in Australia
According to the Food Standards Australia and New Zealand website (FSANZ), [ http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx .. also, see Factbox, bottom article ] all genetically modified foods intended for sale in Australia and NZ must undergo a comprehensive safety evaluation and will not be approved for sale unless they are deemed safe for consumption.
Foods in Australia must be labelled if they contain GM ingredients, however if a GM ingredient is highly refined, (ie cooking oils and sugar) they do not have to be labelled.
The decision to not label highly refined products is based on the notion that processing removes DNA and protein from the food, resulting in GM foods holding the same composition as non-GM varieties.
Currently, Australia does not permit the sale of GM fresh foods including fruit and vegetables.
GM crops grown in Australia include:
* Canola - used in margarine spreads, dairy blends, tinned food and snack foods
* Cotton - used to create cotton seed oil which is widely used in cooking as well as cottonseed meal which can be used as stockfeed
* GM soybean products (including soy lecithin, additive 322) - used widely in processed foods including confectionery, breads, potato chips and spreads as well as in stockfeed for pigs and poultry and supplements in dairy cattle
* GM corn products - cattle feed, corn oil, cornflour and corn syrup used extensively throughout processed foods and may also be used as a snack food
* GM potatoes - fresh potatoes cannot be sold in Australia, however GM potatoes can be used in processed products
*GM sugar beet - used as sugar in a variety of imported processed foods
So where do we go from here?
There is no doubt that many consumers and members of the scientific community have concerns over the commercialisation of genetically modified foods. As the debate continues to gain momentum, food processors that choose to avoid GM ingredients will hold a powerful marketing edge over their GM competitors.
While highly refined GM ingredients do not legally have to be labelled here, the terms ‘GM free’ and ‘Non-GM’ make it clear to consumers which food processors choose to use conventionally grown ingredients, while raising questions about those that don’t.
GMO Contamination Ruins 60% of Aussie Farmer’s Organic Crop
Filed Under: Food Politics | February 7, 2011
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Roundup tolerant genetically manipulated (GM) canola grown in New South Wales (NSW), Western Australia (WA) and Victoria (Vic) this season was just 8% of the Australian canola crop. But it has imposed extra costs and risks on all growers and reduced farmer choices instead of increasing them, as Monsanto and governments had promised.
Two farmers, Kevin Willmott and Steve Marsh, are both angry about Roundup tolerant GM canola and its performance but for very different reasons.
Steve is a NASAA-certified (National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia) organic grower near Kojonup in WA. A neighbour grew GM canola up to Steve’s boundary fence but legal letters delivered in October to all his neighbours, warning signs on his fences and calls to the Department of Agriculture did not prevent GM contamination on Steve’s farm. The GM crop was windrowed in November and blew over his fence in early December, contaminating 325 hectares – over 60% of his farm. The Australian organic standard AS6000, agreed to last year by all Australian governments and the organic industry as a whole, sets zero tolerance for any GM in organic so Steve’s organic certification is cancelled and he has lost his premium local, European and Asian grain markets.
Official Response to Contamination, “Organic Standards are Unrealistic”
Find out which genetically modified foods are available in Australia and which GM crops can be grown here.
By Chiara Pazzano
UPDATED 2:09 PM - 23 Aug 2013
Currently, the only genetically modified food crops produced in Australia are canola and cotton, but a variety of other GM foods can be imported and used as an ingredient in packaged foods. Foods where GM ingredients are highly refined do not need to be labelled as containing GM products.
COTTON
Genetically modified cotton has been grown commercially in Australia since 1996.
The cotton has been modified so that it is insect resistant, herbicide tolerant or both.
Cotton seed from GM cotton is crushed to produce cotton seed oil, which is widely used for cooking. Cottonseed meal can be used in stockfeed.
CANOLA
GM canola, modified for herbicide tolerance, was approved for commercial production in Australia in 2003.
However the states in which canola was being grown at the time placed bans -- bans which were only lifted by NSW and Victoria in 2008. WA also currently allows commercial growing of GM canola crops.
Canola oil is used in margarine-type spreads, dairy blends and as an ingredient in tinned and snack foods. Canola meal is often used in stockfeed.
IMPORTED GM FOODS
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), allows manufacturers to use a wide range of GM food ingredients imported from overseas. These include specific GM varieties of soybeans, corn, rice, potatoes and sugarbeet.
GM soybean products are used as ingredients in many processed foods, such as bread, pastries, chocolates, potato chips, margarine and mayonnaise. Soy lecithin (additive 322) is used as an emulsifier in spreads, cakes and confectionery. Soybean meal is often used in stockfeed, particularly for pigs and poultry and in supplements for dairy cattle.
GM corn products can be corn oil, cornflour or corn syrup; used in snack foods, fried foods and confectionery. It is also used for cattle feed.
GM potatoes can be used in processed products such as snack foods. However fresh GM potatoes cannot be sold in Australia.
GM sugar beet can be used as sugar in some imported processed foods
TRIALS
Field trials of pineapple, papayas, wheat, barley and sugarcane are underway in Australia. These products have been modified for insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, color, oil production, sugar composition, flowering and fruit development.
Gene technology research is also underway in Australia on bananas, rice and corn.
GM TECHNOLOGY IN ANIMAL FARMING
CSIRO says researchers are using gene technology to improve the efficiency of animal production. This research, carried out by universities, Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) and CSIRO, uses the natural genetic variation in livestock populations to selectively breed animals that produce more meat, milk and fibre.
Animals can be fed the approved GM products mentioned above.
GM FOOD LABELLING
GM food products on sale in Australia and New Zealand – either as a whole food or as an ingredient in a processed food – must have their GM status identified if introduced genetic material or protein is present in the final food. However, there are exceptions.
- Foods where GM ingredients are highly refined, such as cooking oils, margarine, sugars, starches, chocolate, baked goods. Many processed foods fall into this category.
-Foods made at bakeries, restaurants and takeaways.
-Foods from animals that are fed GM feed.
- GM labelling laws allow companies to include up to one percent of GM organisms in food without labelling it GM, as long as the GM is there “unintentionally” or by accident.
In Australia, there are currently no approved GM fresh foods, such as fruit and vegetables.
Should they ever be approved, FSANZ's regulation states that they must be displayed with a tag disclosing their GM status.
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