Latest GM foods `to benefit the consumer'

Commercial production of a soya bean with reduced cholesterol is to begin in the US this year. It is the first of a new generation of GM foods with direct benefits to the consumer, according to the biotech multinational, Monsanto.

The soya oil will contain lower levels of cholesterol than equivalent products, said Monsanto's business manager for Ireland, Dr Patrick O'Reilly.

Speaking in Dublin yesterday at a seminar on GM foods staged by Labour MEP Ms Bernie Malone, he accepted that up to now GM foods were "farmer benefit-driven", but the second wave would include low-fat foods, longer-lasting produce and products that facilitate delivery of vaccines and vitamins.

Dr O'Reilly agreed consumers were concerned, and "their concerns should not be lightly dismissed" and should be addressed with independent information. Genetic Concern spokesman Mr Quentin Gargan blamed politicians for allowing regulation by Superquinn, Tesco and other supermarkets responding to consumer concerns when governments should have taken the initiative and set the pace.

The absence of segregation of GM and non-GM crops meant meaningful epidemiological studies of genetically-engineered foods were not possible. Therefore, the reasons why there was a 50 per cent increase in allergic reactions to soya last year in Britain could not be established.

Politicians must ensure a balance was struck between the promoting of policies to protect human health and the environment, and biotechnology interests, Ms Malone said. Choice with GM foods meant providing adequate information and alternatives.

"Manufacturers would be doing a serious disservice to the concept of consumer choice, and to the long-term well-being of their company, if they effectively ensure that certain foods are only available in a GM version," she added. Labelling regulation should outlaw the mixing-in of GM ingredients in foods "in such a way as to deceive the consumers concerning the nature of the product".

Food Safety Authority of Ireland chief executive Dr Patrick Wall accused supermarkets of fuelling concerns about GM foods by withdrawing products shown to be safe. Despite consuming a long list of GM foods, there was "nobody in hospital in the US from eating these foods". There were, however, genuine concerns about GM foods beyond food safety that needed to be addressed, if consumers were going to accept GM foods.

Biotechnology expert Mr Armin Machmer, of the European Socialist group in the European Parliament, said the European Commission had changed from being "economic orientated" in the 1980s to now addressing consumer concerns. However, with the war in the Balkans, EU environment ministers may not agree a radical overhaul of the main GM food directive 90-220 until the Finnish presidency in the autumn.