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Nestlé India commits to provide GM-free food now & in future: Greenpeace India
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Monday, 12 October, 2009, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Mamata Chanda, New Delhi
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 Greenpeace India, an international Non-Government Organisation (NGO), has delivered anti-Genetically Modified messages on behalf of more than 28,000 consumers across India demanding that Nestlé India commit to providing GM-free food now and in future.
Greenpeace activists hung banners at the Nestlé India headquarters in Gurgaon this week. The banner said, "Nestlé, GM free forever?" questioning Nestlé if they will be GM free forever. Greenpeace volunteers also dressed up as Nestlé's most popular products -- Maggi, Cerelac and Kitkat -- made a beeline to the office, asking Nestlé officials if they have a GM-free future.
Greenpeace India released a Safe Food Guide in August 2009 ranking companies based on their policies for or against the use of GM ingredients in their foods. Nestlé was placed in the red category since they had supported the use of GM ingredients.
Soon after, bowing to tremendous public pressure created by more than 28,000 cyber activists, Nestlé responded to Greenpeace queries and stated that their products do not contain GMOs as of now in India, since the law prohibits it. However, Nestlé refused to commit future positions, saying taking a future stance on GMOs is "hypothetical".
According to Greenpeace sources, in an online Greenpeace poll nearly 98% of the 4,000 people polled stated that they will not eat GM food even if it becomes available in future.
Several companies, who previously had no position on the use of GM ingredients, have given statements that they prefer to avoid GM ingredients in their products. MTR Foods, Britannia, and Ruchi Soya have also said they do not support GM foods.
In September 2009, Nestlé baby food products sampled by Greenpeace were found to be genetically contaminated in China, sources added.
"The consumers in India are not satisfied by Nestlé's declaration of status quo. Nestlé India must have a policy, which ensures that its products are GM-free not only today, but in the future as well. Antonio Waszyk, who heads Nestlé India now, clearly has a much bigger challenge to respond to, than merely ensuring his company's high profits. Waszyk, 28,000 of your consumers are watching and they want to know if Nestlé is going to be GM-free for the future", said Jai Krishna of Greenpeace India.
Greenpeace India launched the Safe Food Guide in August 2009 which categorizes 17 food companies operating in India into a 'red list' and a 'green list' based on their responses to Greenpeace regarding their policy on the use of genetically modified (GM) ingredients in their food products, it is learnt.
The guide comes at a time when the Union Government is in the verge of approving genetically modified Bt Brinjal. Following-Bt Brinjal, there are close to 40 other food crops, like rice, tomato, mustard, and potato, which the government may approve. The safety of GE crops as a foodstuff for animals and humans is unknown and the testing regimes inadequate. No amount of testing would prove GM crops are safe for the environment and foodstuff because GM crops are subject to unexpected and unpredictable effects.
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