Progressive Enterprises Clarifies GE Stand

MEDIA RELEASE

21 November 2001

Progressive Enterprises Clarifies Ge Stand

Progressive Enterprises today moved to clarify press reports on its GE policy for its house brand products.

Owners of the Foodtown, Countdown and 3 Guys national supermarket chains, Progressive Enterprises has stated that its goal is to ensure that the company’s Signature Range and Basics branded products will not be sourced from ingredients derived from genetically modified crops.

To achieve this the company is continuing to work with all of its current and potential suppliers who manufacture products in these ranges to ensure that every product is from a non genetically modified source or Identity Preservation verified.

Merchandise general manager Mark Brosnan said that it was important for consumers to understand that it is the company’s goal to be have all its brand products made from non-GM ingredients and it is working to achieve that aim. However, it could not state categorically that its products were all “GE-free” for technical reasons.

“We have put a stake in the ground and set a goal to endeavour to ensure that our Signature Range and Basics branded products will not be sourced from ingredients derived from genetically modified crops.

“We have also given a commitment not to develop any product under Signature Range and Basics that requires labeling,” Mr Brosnan says.

The Australian NZ Food authority standards means foods with a 0.1 per cent or more of GM ingredients must be labelled by December 7 as possibly containing them.

Mr Brosnan added that the company was confident it would achieve its goal of not sourcing ingredients from GM crops for its own brands.

Signature Range and Basics branded products are stocked at Foodtown, Countdown and 3Guys national and in Super Value and Fresh Choice throughout the South Island.

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