Sydney’s top celebrity chefs, Murray from the Wiggles and concerned farmers will join Greenpeace today to launch the 2011 Truefood Guide Kids edition, helping inform parents what’s in their kids’ lunchbox (1).

The Truefood Guide has already caused shock waves in the genetically modified (GM) food industry, with Kellogg’s announcing overnight it will change its policy in response to consumer concerns and an article in the Sydney Morning Herald (2).

Also, for the first time this year, Snackbrands Australia – makers of CC’s, Samboy, Cheezels and Thins – and SPC beans and spaghetti have committed to stop using GM ingredients. Aussie favourites, Vegemite and Smith’s crisps are still rated ‘red’ and may contain GM.

“GM food has never been proven safe to eat and many parents are rightfully concerned. The Truefood Guide aims to fill the gap left by Australia’s poor labelling laws, which mean we don’t know whether our food contains GM. We are in the dark when it comes to feeding our family,” said Greenpeace GM campaigner, Laura Kelly.

“Kids are the most susceptible to potential health impacts of untested GM ingredients and this will be the first generation of Aussie children dealing with a lifetime exposure to GM.”

Leading health experts agree.

“I don’t believe we have all the answers on GM and I don’t believe the testing is adequate. Parents have a right to expect that someone is looking after the labelling so that they can make the appropriate choices,” said leading nutritionist and author, Rosemary Stanton.

Chicken – the problem meat – is the only product rated ‘red’ for almost all brands.

“The problem with chicken is corporate monopoly – neither Woolworths or Coles, or Inghams and Baidia, regardless of their greenwash on chicken hormones, want to commit to providing quality meat,” said Laura Kelly. “Without genuine competition, Australians will keep feeding their families chicken polluted with GM soy, and the research increasingly shows that the DNA stays in the animal’s organs, muscles and blood.”

GM is another arena for the supermarket wars, and Coles beats Woolies in the ratings.

“Woolworth’s are rated ‘red’ on everything in the Truefood Guide,” said Kelly. “After announcing their biggest profit slump in 12 years, you would think Woolies would start responding to Australian consumers and farmers concerns on GM.

“Over 90% of Australians want GM food labelled. It’s time for the Government to tighten labelling regulations because we have the right to know what’s in our food,” said Kelly.

Notes:
(1) The 2011 Truefood Guide can be downloaded at
http://www.truefood.org.au/truefoodguide/
(2)
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/wellbeing/the-ingredients-that-dare-not-speak-their-name-20110225-1b8s2.html