January, 2008

Independent supermarket chain Foodland SA has rejected the use of genetically modified (GM) food in its Foodland range of products.

And it has called for better labelling of branded and fresh products to ensure consumers can choose whether or not to buy other goods containing GM foods.

Foodland SA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Russell Markham, said the decision was made after feedback from customers.

“Our customers have overwhelmingly indicated that they do not want GM ingredients in our Foodland products,” he said.

“None of our Foodland range currently contains GM ingredients and we feel it is important to assure our customers that all our foods will remain GM free in the future.

“Customers should have the right to choose what foods they buy and feed their families and Foodland believes it is important that branded and fresh products made from GM foods are clearly labelled to enable this choice to be made.

“This will require changes to the existing labelling laws, which are inadequate, especially for goods made from overseas sourced ingredients.”

Mr Markham said the labelling issue was particularly important given moves by some State Governments to lift bans on the commercial growing of GM foods.

“If Governments are prepared to allow GM foods to be grown commercially, they must give the customer the right to decide whether or not to consume them,” he said.

“It is not up to any Government to dictate what people eat. The final decisions must be left to the customer but the customer has to know what they are buying.

“This means having clear and unambiguous labelling laws and these laws need to be in place before any decision is made to lift bans on commercial growing.

“Any Government not prepared to do this is effectively treating consumers with contempt and will suffer as a result.”

Mr Markham said Foodland currently had 160 Foodland branded products, ranging from Dairy to Frozen and Grocery items. More than half of these are manufactured in South Australia.

Foodland’s stance follows decisions by Australia’s largest food company, Goodman Fielder and Australia’s largest lamb exporter, Tatiara Meats to exclude GM products.

Foodland has 109 stores in South Australia, the Northern Territory and New South Wales.