Top chefs whip up a GM-free charter

Australia’s top chefs have united to oppose serving genetically modified (GM) food in their restaurants, by endorsing the GM Free Chefs Charter.

The charter calls for thorough labelling of all food products containing GM ingredients. It also opposes the recent introduction of GM canola in New South Wales and Victoria.

The Chefs Charter is a major initiative launched by Greenpeace and was unveiled at Jared Ingersoll’s Danks Street Depot, attended by chefs from some of Sydney’s top restaurants. Among the many high profile signatories are Maggie Beer, Stephanie Alexander, Kylie Kwong, Justin North, Sean Moran, Margaret Fulton, Dure Dara, Neil Perry and Holly Davis.

Read the charter and full list of chefs

Chefs call for GM labelling

This year, Australia will grow GM canola for the first time. Canola is used in a huge range of everyday foods, from breakfast cereals to oil, margarine and bread. But, under current laws, it won't be labelled as GM.

Greenpeace and the Chefs Charter call on the federal government to introduce labelling of all GM foods and food products derived from GM crops, so that Australians can avoid GM  ingredients if they want to.

The charter will continue to grow and will be delivered to Australian governments later in 2008. Supporting chefs can also choose to display a GM free Chefs Charter logo in their restaurant, windows and on their website to certify their support.

Chefs who want to endorse the GM Free Chefs Charter can email chefscharter@au.greenpeace.org.