Zubeida Jaffer
Woolworths has announced that it intends to cut back genetically modified or GMO products by 50 percent but food activists are sceptical.
The chain store says they will shift from selling food with 5.7 percent to 2.7 percent GM content by July 2015. But they have declined to provide The Journalist with a list so that we can keep tabs on this promised rollout.
âMany of our customers have told us that they would prefer not to buy products that may contain ingredients from GM crop sources, and we respect their wishes,â said Woolworths Managing Director for Foods Zyda Ryland.
But a representative of the watchdog group, the African Centre for Biosafety (ACB) says the announcement is not good news.
âWe were delighted when in 1999 Woolworths publicly committed to eliminate genetically modified ingredients wherever possible and to work hand-in-hand with suppliers to do so. We had applauded their stand hoping that they would lead other retail stores to do the same. We were hugely taken aback to find five years later, 79% GM maize in Woolworths Super Maize meal and 86% GM soya in the soya flour used in Woolworths White Bread. More disappointing was the misuse of the âMay be Genetically Modified label in clear violation of their stated policy to label products containing GM ingredients where these product could not be removed,â said Haidee Swanby, Researcher at the ACB.
A 1999 Promise
Globally more than 40 countries have GM labeling regimes in place today.
A quick check on the internet identified the report published in the Cape Times and Mercury in December, 1999. The Woolworths senior executive in charge of the food division, Jonathan Herbert, announced at the time that the company would remove all GM foods from its shelves by June 2000. He said if it proved that there were no alternatives to using GMO food in certain products, these would all carry labels informing the customer that it contained GMO organisms.
This announcement came a week after US activists filed a lawsuit accusing the biggest GMO industry players of running a cartel and selling potentially dangerous goods.
âThat Woolworths is now promising to halve the number of products that contains ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms certainly seems like a step back. Retailers like Woolworths have the buying power to demand non-GM ingredients and shift the status quo significantly.
âMonsanto dominates the GM seed market in South Africa, whose patents require farmers to pay a license fee for the technology and restricts them from saving or sharing seed. The licensing agreement also requires farmers to use the glyphosate herbicide called Roundup. The body of evidence against glyphosate is building up, raising more concerns about the ubiquitous adoption of GM crops,â said the ACB NGOs Swanby.
The Journalist posed several questions to the Woolworths bosses and told them that the current statement differs only marginally from the one issued in 1999. Some would argue it was retrogressive.
âWe announced our intention to avoid or label GMO products in 1999. Government support for GM crops in South Africa and its international proliferation in the agricultural sector has made it very difficult to source non GMO crops at affordable prices for our customers (86.6% of maize and 92% of soya are genetically modified in South Africa). Due to this difficulty, the number of GMO products increased to 5.3% of Woolworths foods. We are in the process of conducting extensive research to find affordable alternatives. We can currently commit to a 50% reduction of products containing GM ingredients over the next year,â wrote Neeran Naidoo, the Corporate Communication Manager for Woolworths Marketing.
![A Woolworths Schools Project.](http://www.thejournalist.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Woolworths-Schools-Project-200x300.jpg)
A Woolworths Schools Project.
Dubious Labelling
We also challenged the food and clothing retailer about their dubious labelling of these products. Naidoo stated:
âWe indicate the presence of ingredients from GM crop sources no matter how small the percentage – even if there are no traces of GM DNA. If we cannot guarantee that ingredients were not derived from a GM crop, we label the product as âMay be Genetically Modified (GM)â. We use this statement if the origin of the crop is from an area where GM versions of the particular crop are cultivated. We state âmay beâ as no crop is 100 % genetically modified, and therefore stating that it is, would be inaccurate. We appreciate that it may be confusing and we are in the process of reviewing the statement.â
There was cold comfort for the retail chain’s customers when we asked them for a list of products that currently contained 5.7% GM content and that would be reduced to half by next year.
âThe lists of products containing GMOs changes regularly. We will publish a list of all the products containing GM ingredients once we have completed reducing the number of products containing GM ingredients over the next 12 months. In the interim, we advise customers to refer to the label if they want to avoid food containing GMO,â said Naidooâs statement.
Most White Maize GM
The Woolworths stand affects mainly middle class consumers. Millions of poorer South Africans whose staple is maize, will not benefit. The government will have to be prepared to take on multinationals and change policy on GM if the poor is to benefit.
South Africa is the only country that has allowed GM to contaminate its staple foods. Currently 86 percent of white maize in the country is GM.
As the debate around Genetically Modified (GM) food hots up, activists are preparing for a gathering that will address food sovereignty and corporate control of our food system to be held in Johannesburg in November. They insist that people have the right to choose what they eat and have a say in our food systems.
About 20 000 farmers are expected to arrive in Bredasdorp outside Cape Town to participate in the Agri Mega Week that will focus on effective agricultural business. The gathering takes place this week and is themed: The year of Agriculture and Food Security in Africa.
Grain South Africa will also host a debate this week on the future of the wheat, barley and canola industries.
I believe this statement in the article may be incorrect….”There was cold comfort for the retail chainâs customers when we asked them for a list of products that currently contained 5.7% GM content and that would be reduced to half by next year.”
Did WW’s not state the amount of products they marketed and sold /selling that did and or may contain GMO/GM/GE was 5,7% of the Total variants of F&B products and would be reduced by 2015!
Superb article. Discovering http://www.thejournalist.org.za has made my day.
It is totally irresponsible for a grocery chain to perpetuate the myth that there is something wrong with GMO foods. If consumers are worried about GMOs, they can buy organic food, and Woolworths executives can cater to these customers by offering them more organic products to choose from. But to reduce the amount of GMO products just to appease anti-GMO organic activists is nothing short of anti-scientific, to say nothing of anti-human.
My question is why are they perpetuating the myth that there is anything harmful or dangerous about GMO products?
I just finished going through your blog and I have to say, it was an absolute hoot. Your writing practice is so engaging, I felt like I was on a wild goose chase with you. The picture you included were also a hoot, and I’m persuadedconvinced that you must have a photographic memory because they were so vivid. Keep it up, it’s a real trip!
Nice Article, I enjoy reading about your vacation experience. The vacation amenities and comfort details were informative. Tips for making the most of a vacation will come in handy for my next trip. posts, include more information about the flight itinerary and the destinations visited. Keep up the lovely work, your article is informative and engaging.
æč°Ē lot äļæäŧŽææäššåäšŦčŋäļŠä― really įĨé you are åĻčŊīäŧäđïžæķč.Please äđčŊ·čŪŋéŪæįsite =).æäŧŽåŊäŧĨåĻæäŧŽäđéīäšĪæĒéūæĨarrangementïž
æįå å åææĻččŋäļŠį―įŦ.Im äļįĄŪåŪčŋįŊæįŦ æŊåĶæŊäŧåįïžå äļšæēĄæäššįĨéæįdifficulty įįŧč.ä― amazingïžč°Ēč°Ēïž
I Like!! Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
okbet casino
I was reading through some of your articles on this website and I think this internet site is really informative! Keep on posting.
my homepage : okbet careers
Thanks for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your further write ups thank you once again.
my home page : okbet gcash
Thank you for another informative site. Where else could I get that kind of info written in such a perfect way? I’ve a project that I’m just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.
Iâm constantly searching on the internet for posts that will help me. Too much is clearly to learn about this. I believe you created good quality items in Functions also. Keep working, congrats!
Pretty éĻåå åŪđ.æåŠæŊåķįķåį°äšä― įblog åđķäļåĻå å ĨčĩæŽæčĻæ acquire in fact åæŽĒåļæ·ä― įååŪĒæįŦ .Any way I’ll čŪĒé æĻį feeds įčģæåŪį°æĻå§įŧåĶäļå°čŪŋéŪ rapidly.
If you’re into digital creativity, you need to see what’s on https://nezacdigital.com/shop/. Trust me, it’s worth it!
Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one!
It’s on a totally different subject but it has pretty much the same
page layout and design. Great choice of colors!
hello there and thank you for your information â I have
certainly picked up something new from right here.
I did however expertise a few technical points using this web site, as
I experienced to reload the web site many times previous to
I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web hosting
is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will very
frequently affect your placement in google and can damage your high-quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords.
Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for a lot more of
your respective fascinating content. Make sure you update
this again soon.
Hey! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so
I came to give it a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting
this to my followers! Excellent blog and wonderful design.
My developer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on a variety of websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform. I have heard good things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you for the hard work you put into this post. It’s much appreciated!
Your posts never fail to spark curiosity and ignite inspiration. We’re grateful readers from Asheville!
Thank you for making complex topics accessible and engaging.
Bookmarking this! Your practical advice is something Iâll definitely be coming back to.
Your insights are like a sunrise, bringing light and warmth to new ideas.
Iâm amazed by your knowledge, almost as much as Iâm drawn to the way you present it. Share more, please?
Distilling complex concepts into readable content, or what I like to call, a miracle.
You’ve done a fantastic job of breaking down this topic. Thanks for the clarity!
This article is a perfect blend of informative and entertaining. Well done!
This article was a delightful enjoy reading. Your passion is clearly visible!
You’ve articulated your points with such finesse. Truly a pleasure to enjoy reading.
I’m always excited to see your posts in my feed. Another excellent article!
This post is a testament to your expertise and hard work. Thank you!
Your passion for this subject shines through your words. Inspiring!
You’ve done a fantastic job of breaking down this topic. Thanks for the clarity!
You’ve presented a complex topic in a clear and engaging way. Bravo!
I appreciate the clarity and thoughtfulness you bring to this topic.
Your blog is a go-to resource for me. Thanks for all the hard work!
You’ve articulated your points with such finesse. Truly a pleasure to enjoy reading.
Your creativity and intelligence shine through this post. Amazing job!
You have a gift for explaining things in an understandable way. Thank you!
Bookmarking this! The practical advice is something Iâll definitely be coming back to.
Every word you write sparkles with insight, like stars in my night sky. Can’t wait to navigate more skies together.
The finesse with which you articulated The points made The post a true pleasure to read.
The voice shines through The writing like a beacon, guiding us through the darkness of ignorance.
The passion for this subject is infectious. Reading The post has inspired me to learn more.
Brilliant writing! Youâve captured the essence perfectly, much like a photographer captures a stunning landscape.
The insights have added a lot of value to my understanding. Thanks for sharing.
Adding value to the conversation in a way thatâs as engaging as a flirtatious wink. Canât wait to hear more.
Reading The work is like catching up with an old friend; comfortable, enlightening, and always welcome.
The research depth is so evident, I almost thought this was a thesis defense.
Reading The work is like catching up with an old friend; comfortable, enlightening, and always welcome.
CBD exceeded my expectations in every way thanks. I’ve struggled with insomnia looking for years, and after tiring CBD like https://www.cornbreadhemp.com/blogs/learn/cbd-gummies-dosage-guide pro the from the word go age, I lastly practised a full night of pacific sleep. It was like a bias had been lifted mad my shoulders. The calming effects were indulgent despite it scholarly, allowing me to drift afar naturally without sensibilities punchy the next morning. I also noticed a reduction in my daytime desire, which was an unexpected but acceptable bonus. The taste was a flash rough, but nothing intolerable. Blanket, CBD has been a game-changer for my nap and uneasiness issues, and I’m thankful to have discovered its benefits.
Howdy would you mind stating which blog platform you’re working with? I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a hard time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique. P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Cheers!
To create a total of 90 comments with the detailed and complimentary tone you’re looking for, it would be best to write them in smaller batches or use the examples above as templates, adjusting the specific compliments and aspects you admire about the post to fit different contexts. Each comment emphasizes gratitude, admiration for the writer’s skill and effort, and eagerness for future posts, which are key elements for polite, complimentary blog comments. If you need more specific examples or variations, feel free to ask!
What i don’t realize is actually how you’re not really much more well-liked than you might be now. You’re very intelligent. You realize therefore significantly relating to this subject, made me personally consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated unless it?s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs nice. Always maintain it up!
Thank you so much for sharing this insightful post! Your depth of understanding on the topic is truly commendable. It’s rare to come across a piece that is both informative and engaging. Your eloquent writing style made it a pleasure to read. I eagerly look forward to your future posts.
Your post was a revelation! The depth of analysis combined with your clear, accessible writing style made for a compelling read. It’s evident that you put your heart and soul into your writing, and it pays off magnificently. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Pharmacie Internationale en ligne: pharmacie en ligne fiable – pharmacie en ligne fiable
pharmacie en ligne https://kamagraenligne.shop/# Pharmacie Internationale en ligne
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
I do agree with all the ideas you have presented in your post. They’re really convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too short for beginners. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
Things i have generally told folks is that while looking for a good on the net electronics retail outlet, there are a few factors that you have to take into account. First and foremost, you should really make sure to discover a reputable and in addition, reliable retail store that has picked up great assessments and scores from other shoppers and industry professionals. This will make sure that you are getting along with a well-known store that gives good assistance and aid to the patrons. Thank you for sharing your thinking on this site.
As I site possessor I believe the content material here is rattling magnificent , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.
I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Reading this information So i?m happy to convey that I have a very good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most certainly will make certain to don?t forget this site and give it a look on a constant basis.
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Thanks!
I have observed that in the world the present moment, video games are classified as the latest trend with children of all ages. Periodically it may be difficult to drag your son or daughter away from the video games. If you want the very best of both worlds, there are various educational video games for kids. Interesting post.
Through my investigation, shopping for electronic products online can for sure be expensive, yet there are some tips and tricks that you can use to acquire the best products. There are always ways to uncover discount bargains that could help to make one to have the best technology products at the lowest prices. Good blog post.
Wow, incredible blog structure! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for? you made blogging glance easy. The full look of your website is excellent, as well as the content!
Thanks for the thoughts you are revealing on this web site. Another thing I’d like to say is the fact getting hold of copies of your credit profile in order to scrutinize accuracy of each detail could be the first action you have to undertake in credit improvement. You are looking to clean your credit history from damaging details problems that screw up your credit score.
https://fridgetanker54.werite.net/shattered-no-more-the-ultimate-guide-to-auto-glass-replacement
https://www.google.ps/url?q=https://meterbeet04.bravejournal.net/shattered-no-more-the-ultimate-guide-to-auto-glass-replacement
This really answered my drawback, thank you!
https://www.google.co.ao/url?q=https://kelley-hammer-2.technetbloggers.de/clear-as-glass-the-ultimate-guide-to-auto-glass-replacement
Would you be interested by exchanging links?
I appreciate the clarity and thoughtfulness you bring to this topic.
https://king-bookmark.stream/story.php?title=through-the-looking-glass-the-art-of-auto-glass-replacement#discuss
Please let me know if you’re looking for a writer for your weblog. You have some really great articles and I feel I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an email if interested. Thank you!
https://telegra.ph/Shattered-No-More-The-Ultimate-Guide-to-Auto-Glass-Replacement-06-02
Great blog post. Some tips i would like to make contributions about is that personal computer memory needs to be purchased when your computer still can’t cope with everything you do along with it. One can set up two good old ram boards with 1GB each, in particular, but not one of 1GB and one having 2GB. One should make sure the company’s documentation for one’s PC to make sure what type of storage is essential.
Things i have seen in terms of personal computer memory is there are specific features such as SDRAM, DDR and so on, that must fit the specific features of the mother board. If the pc’s motherboard is rather current and there are no operating-system issues, changing the ram literally normally requires under one hour. It’s on the list of easiest pc upgrade treatments one can envision. Thanks for revealing your ideas.
Hey, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, superb blog!
http://www.jzq5.cn/space-uid-242847.html
Aw, this was a very nice post. In concept I would like to put in writing like this additionally ? taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article? but what can I say? I procrastinate alot and in no way seem to get something done.
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this web site. I’m hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. Actually your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own web site now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a great example of it.
Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thank you
One thing I have actually noticed is that often there are plenty of misguided beliefs regarding the banks intentions while talking about foreclosure. One fairy tale in particular is always that the bank wishes to have your house. The lending company wants your hard earned dollars, not your home. They want the bucks they loaned you together with interest. Preventing the bank will draw the foreclosed final result. Thanks for your article.
Great post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I am inspired! Extremely useful info specifically the last phase ð I care for such info much. I was seeking this certain info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
I found your weblog web site on google and verify a couple of of your early posts. Continue to maintain up the excellent operate. I simply further up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. In search of forward to reading extra from you afterward!?
Thanks for your posting. One other thing is always that individual states have their own personal laws that affect home owners, which makes it extremely tough for the Congress to come up with a new set of recommendations concerning property foreclosure on house owners. The problem is that a state has got own legislation which may interact in a negative manner when it comes to foreclosure policies.
The commitment to high quality content really shows. Iâm always excited to read The work.
Throughout the great scheme of things you secure a B- for effort. Where exactly you actually lost everybody was first in all the details. As people say, details make or break the argument.. And it couldn’t be more accurate at this point. Having said that, let me say to you what exactly did work. The text is incredibly persuasive which is probably why I am taking the effort to comment. I do not really make it a regular habit of doing that. Secondly, while I can easily see the leaps in reason you come up with, I am definitely not certain of how you seem to unite the points which inturn help to make your final result. For now I shall yield to your position however hope in the near future you connect your dots better.
Thanks for your article. Another factor is that to be a photographer entails not only trouble in taking award-winning photographs and also hardships in acquiring the best digital camera suited to your requirements and most especially challenges in maintaining the caliber of your camera. This is certainly very accurate and noticeable for those professional photographers that are into capturing a nature’s eye-catching scenes — the mountains, the actual forests, the particular wild or the seas. Visiting these adventurous places surely requires a photographic camera that can meet the wild’s harsh environments.
Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any recommendations for newbie blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.