September 12, 2006 | www.greenpeace.org
The Philippines is at serious risk from illegal GE (genetically-engineered) rice contamination as the international scandal around genetically-manipulated rice varieties which have not been commercially approved for human consumption grows bigger, Greenpeace warned today in a press briefing in Quezon City.
Recent Greenpeace tests reveal that illegal GE rice from the US has contaminated products on supermarket shelves in Germany. The results came a week after an earlier round of tests proved that illegal GE rice from China, which poses a potential health risk, was found present in rice products on European shelves(1). Greenpeace International has notified authorities that illegal GE rice poses health and environmental risks and called upon governments to take immediate action to protect consumers.
“The illegal GE rice scandal, however, may not be limited to Europe. In Southeast Asia rice is the staple diet. The Philippines is among the countries most at risk because we import rice and rice products from both the US and China,†said Greenpeace Southeast Asia GE campaigner Daniel Ocampo.
“Greenpeace is therefore calling on the government to protect Filipino consumers by implementing strong measures to nip in the bud what may turn out to be a similar case of serious contamination in our country. These measures should include testing of rice and rice products, the immediate recall of those found positive for contamination, and demanding GE free certification for food from countries that grow and produce GE crops,†Ocampo added.
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Obviously, most Asian nations where rice is a staple food are also in danger of being exposed to this unauthorized frankenrice. Asian citizens must therefore be vigilant and cautious when buying rice. Please contact your local consumer rights centers or food regulatory institutes for guidance and filing of complaints.
Reuters has more info on this here
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