Supermarket takes GE off the shopping list

Consumers will be delighted at today's news that New Zealand's largest supermarket chain, Foodstuffs, is making all of its house-brand products GE-free, Green Party Safe Food spokesperson Sue Kedgley said today.

"What consumers now want is confirmation from Foodstuffs that ALL products sold in its supermarkets are GE-free," Ms Kedgley said.

Foodstuffs announced today that it is seeking written confirmation from all its suppliers that its house brands are manufactured using non-GE ingredients. If manufacturers could not confirm that, the supermarket chain would look for alternative sources of supply.

Ms Kedgley said the Foodstuffs decision was proof that the consumer campaign to rid our supermarkets of GE products was working, and that retailers were responding to consumer pressure.

It is proof, too, that there is absolutely no market for GE products in New Zealand, she said.

"Foodstuffs is to be congratulated for taking leadership on the issue, and listening to consumers," said Ms Kedgley. "I now hope it will take the next step and ensure that all the products sold in its nationwide chain of stores are GE-free."

ENDS

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