Food labelling laws make it difficult for consumers to avoid genetically modified foods according to a report released this week by CHOICE.
Australia’s leading consumer advocacy group has found that under current rules GM ingredients do not have to be listed on the label.
Breakfast cereals, breads, sauces, cooking oils and margarine are just a few items in supermarkets that may have ingredients which come from GM crops such as soy, corn, canola and cotton.
Australian GM labelling laws were put in place to provide consumers with information regarding the GM content of food but currently products containing GM ingredients don’t have to be specifically labelled.
“You have the right to know if your food comes from GM crops or GM fed animals, directly or indirectly. The law should require full disclosure of any GM ingredients so that consumers have all the information they need to make a truly informed choice” says CHOICE Senior campaigner Clare Hughes.
The government is currently holding a review of food labelling in Australia. Consumers can write to the Food Labelling Review Panel to ask for better labelling of GM ingredients on food.
Great job! The writing is succinct and the lead is news-worthy (though you might want to mention the Australian context)