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Free New Zealand in Food & Environment, 12th
April 2006
Labelling Bill Needed to End Consumer Deception
A survey of supermarket products undertaken by the Green Party shows the
urgent need for new labelling rules to end the on-going deception of New
Zealand consumers concerning what we eat.
The Consumer Right to Know (Food Information) Bill proposed by Green MP Sue
Kedgley is important in giving people the information they need to make a
genuine choice about what they eat, and to stop unscrupulous manufacturers
hiding the truth about their products.
"The supermarket survey shows that some manufacturers are cynically ignoring
current rules that allow them to voluntarily label GE ingredients and to be
honest about what they use," says Jon Carapiet from GE Free NZ in food and
environment.
The survey also suggests that if the label on meat does not say "made in NZ" then it probably isn't!. Many New Zealanders will be horrified that we
import so much meat from overseas, and that animals could have been fed on
GE ingredients known to have a physiological impact on animals, and
potentially on people eating meat from them.
Some food manufactuers are deliberately exploiting gaps in the rules to sell
food that many people would reject "if they only knew". This is unacceptable
both for ethical and food-safety reasons, and a stricter labelling system as
proposed in the bill is vital.
It's time the food industry was kept honest by proper labelling. Apart from
the "sharks" in the grocery industry, most companies should welcome honest
labelling to restore the consumer's role as "king".
Proper labelling will also meet the growing need for what is known as
'field-to-fork' tracking of ingredients as a quality and food-safety
measure.A proper labelling regime will protect New Zealand's reputation as a
producer of clean, safe food, as well as protecting public health.
The new Bill must be supported by all political parties as a necessary and
responsible approach to ensuring food safety and consumer-choice.
MP's must not let vested interests in the Food Industry undermine this Bill
or allow the continuation of the present labelling regime which is
characterised by deception and deliberate exploitation of consumers.
ENDS
Jon Carapiet 0210 507 681
Reference
Green Party Media release
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