A new report commissioned by Health Canada finds Canadians are critical yet overwhelmingly confused about food that has been genetically engineered, but they want mandatory labels to help inform their grocery choices.
The report finds consumers have “strong feelings” about being able to identify genetically modified products when they’re shopping, and 78 per cent are calling for clear labelling on packages.
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Given the choice, 62 per cent would buy a non-GM food over a GM product out of fears of health hazards or impacts on the environment.
[Only 26% of respondents indicated they would be comfortable eating foods that have been genetically modified, and just 22% support the development and sale of GM foods in Canada.]But the research… also reveals that consumers have little understanding about the science of what many dubbed “Frankenfood.” Often, it’s confused with goods that have had additives like preservatives or hormone injections.
“Lack of awareness and understanding affects their confidence in the food supply and raises their level of concern,” the report says.
Some of the words commonly used by participants included “fake,” “mutations,” “man-made” or “mass produced.”
Related on the SLP
According to Health Canada’s website, all GM foods are “rigorously assessed” for safety prior to being allowed on the market. But labelling is now voluntary.
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NDP MP Pierre-Luc Dusseault says Canadians have every right to know what they’re eating, and he has tabled a private member’s bill to require mandatory labels.
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But negative views revealed in the research highlight a “difficult challenge” for Health Canada ahead.
Anti-GM advocates have successfully filled the “information void,” the report reads.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Canadians anxious but ill-informed about genetically engineered food
