Get GM rice out of the food chain

I have just asked the following two questions off Gloucestershire Trading Standards regarding GM products. Use the search engine on this blog to find previous correspondence on this matter.

Photo: Ruscombe valley

1. You will probably be aware that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has finally declared that illegal and potentially dangerous GM rice found in the UK food chain eighteen months ago is "unsafe". They have now issued a food alert for local authorities to take action on the Bt63 rice from China. As you will know it is now up to local authorities to carry out food testing. I would welcome information about what action you are planning to carry out.

2. Again, as you know, it is illegal for caterers to use GM ingredients unless they are clearly labelled on their menus or displayed on a prominent notice. I wrote to you about 18 months ago on this issue, in particular GM cooking oils, and received assurances that you would look into this. However I understand from Friends of the Earth that still many cafes, restaurants, takeaways and pubs are routinely using GM oil in their cooking without letting their customers know. In fact, they might not even know they are doing it themselves. I would welcome information on what steps you are taking to ensure that caterers stick to the rules, and make them aware of their legal responsibilities.

Cllr. Philip Booth,
Stroud District councillor for the Randwick, Ruscombe and Whiteshill ward

Glos Trading Standards can be emailed: tradstds@gloucestershire.gov.uk