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The organization that represents Canada’s major grocery chains says it has full confidence in selling genetically engineered foods that have been approved by Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The Canadian Press asked large retail chains such as Loblaw Cos. Ltd., Metro Inc., and Sobeys Inc., whether they plan to sell genetically modified produce like the Innate potato and Arctic apple and, if so, how they would be labelled. The companies referred questions to the Retail Council of Canada.
“We have confidence in the regulatory process and CFIA to ensure that (genetically engineered foods) are safe for consumption and only products that are safe for consumption are approved,” said David Wilkes, senior vice-president of government relations and grocery division for the council.
“There is no requirement for labelling at this point in time, so the government does not indicate that (genetically engineered foods) would be labelled.”
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Lucy Sharratt, spokeswoman for the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN), said it rankles some Canadians that special labelling isn’t required.
“We’re not necessarily speaking of safety issues when we’re speaking of labelling. Consumers want labelling for all kinds of different reasons and in a democracy if people want information about what’s in the food system I think it’s incumbent on the government to respond,” said Sharratt.
An online poll of 1,005 Canadians conducted in August 2015 by Ipsos Reid for CBAN found 88 per cent of respondents agreed the Canadian government should mandate labelling of genetically modified foods. . . .
Read full, original post: Canadian grocers confident in safety of GMO produce: retail council
