| By
Matthew Harris
SAO
PAOLO (Reuters Health) - The Brazilian Institute of Consumer
Defence (ICD) this week called for an official investigation
to be launched after tests carried out on a range of over
30 food products showed the presence of genetically modified
DNA in 11 of them. Several companies have been ordered
by the Centre for Sanitary Vigilance of the State of Sao
Paulo to withdraw their brands from supermarket shelves
in response to the tests.
The
ICD, in partnership with Greenpeace and the Swiss laboratory
Interlabor Belp AG, found transgenic soya or corn, in
quantities of up to 10% of the contents of the food products.
The transgenic ingredient was not indicated on the labels
of any of the products, contravening state and federal
law.
The
tests used by the ICD included a polymerase chain reaction
test to detect, identify and then quantify transgenic
DNA, such as that of Monsanto's Roundup Ready and Novartis'
Bt-11. The transgenic DNA that was found in the food products
was identified as that of Roundup Ready in all cases.
The
products that were found to be positive for the DNA included
Knorr's Sweetcorn soup, Bristol-Meyer Squibs' non-lactose
formula and Nestle's soya formula. The companies have
been given until the 16th of August to remove the products
and provide reports on the findings.
Meanwhile,
the ICD has advised consumers to not buy products from
Argentina, Canada or the USA that are likely to contain
soya or corn.
Despite
a ruling by federal judge Dr. Antonio Prudente that the
use of transgenic products needs a full environmental
impact assessment before its introduction into the country,
the Ministry of Agriculture had earlier this year authorised
the liberation of transgenic corn.
The
National Technical Commission on Biosecurity, which advises
the Ministries of Science and Technology, Health, Agriculture,
and Environment, had reported that the environmental impact
studies performed in the US had proven to be sufficient
and that no harmful effect has been indicated with their
use in animal feed. The Commission has not, however carried
out an independent assessment of the products. The dispute
may be taken to the higher courts, particularly the Supreme
Justice Tribunal and the Supreme Federal Tribunal.
Marilena
Lazzarini, executive coordinator of the ICD, commented
in a press release Monday that ``despite pressure from
the Government and Monsanto, reverting the decision of
the courts will not be possible. We hope that (the government
and Monsanto) will give up the irresponsible proposal
of liberating transgenic products into Brazil without
the necessary evaluation of the risks to humans and the
environment.''
Andrea
Salazar, attorney to the ICD, declared that ``these decisions
are founded in the law, which is very clear on this matter
(the necessity of an environmental impact assessment),
leaving little margin for interpretation.''
A
decision on the action to be taken against the companies
whose products contained the transgenic DNA is expected
within the next few weeks.
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