Press release - September 11, 2009
BANGALURU, India — Greenpeace lauds MTR for adopting a GM-free policy while several popular Indian food brands ended up in the 'red list' of the Safe Food Guide.
Shivani Shah
Campaigner
+91 99868 77364
Syed Mehaboob
Communications Manager
+91 97313 01983
- Greenpeace volunteers dressed up as "traditional messengers",
unfurled a massive 6x4 feet scroll, which read, "Well Done MTR",
while handing over a Kannada copy of Safe Food Guide to their
representative.(1)
- MTR is the only food company in India to have a comprehensive
policy on GMOs. In an official response to Greenpeace, MTR Foods
Ltd. stated, "We have a policy to use 100% natural ingredients and
hence GM items are unacceptable."(2)
- Various studies by independent scientists across the world have
shown evidence suggesting that GM foods could be harmful to health,
especially in the long run, and in ways that are yet unknown. Lab
rats fed with GM food showed increased levels of liver and kidney
toxicity, increased vulnerability to food allergies and low levels
of immunity.(3)
- Greenpeace India launched the Safe Food Guide, earlier this
week, which categorises 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 GM ingredients in
their food products.
- PepsiCo, Dabur, Haldirams, ITC Foods and Ruchi Soya stated that
that their products do not contain genetically modified ingredients
in their foods as of today. Hence these companies made it to the
'green' list.
- Of all the companies, Nestlé (along with HUL and others)(4) are on the other end of the spectrum in the 'red
list'.
- "Responsible companies across the world are taking proactive
steps and adopting a GM-free policy. Indian consumers should not be
treated as lab rats for GM food to be experimented upon. Nestle
has gone GM free in Europe, Russia and Brazil. Therefore, it is
time that Nestlé stops violating its own policy in India and
declares itself GM free," demanded Shah.
- Since the release of the guide, over 7,000 consumers have
already started demanding that Nestlé India goes GM free and have
sent emails to Mr. Antonio Wazcyk who will take over as Chairman
and Managing Director, Nestlé India from October 2009.
Notes to the editor:
1. Greenpeace India released a
Safe Food Guide on 8th Septemeber 2009 at Delhi which ranks 16
major food brands as "red" or "green" depending on the companies'
food policy.
2. Letter signed by MS
Srikant, General Manager, MTR.
3. (i) Potatoes fed to
labrats. (Dr. Arpad Puzstai, 1998)
(ii) Monsanto's corn fed to labrats. (Monsanto, 2004 )
(iii) GM pea fed to mice. (CSIRO 2005)
4. The complete Safe Food
Guide with all the companies' rankings can be found at www.safefoodnow.org
About Us
Greenpeace is an independent organisation with presence in over
40 countries that acts to protect the environment and promote peace
by changing attitudes and behaviour. Greenpeace India is funded by
individual Indian donors.