Calgary, Alberta
December 3, 2003
Consumers Want Mandatory Labelling of Genetically Modified
Foods
"Consumers have the right to know what's in their food and they
overwhelmingly want the Federal Government to mandate labeling
of genetically modified foods," said Mr. Bruce Cran, President
of the Consumers' Association
of Canada.
Today, the Consumers' Association of Canada released the results
of its national poll on the labelling of genetically modified
foods. The poll conducted in October 2003 by Decima Research
surveyed 2000 people across Canada. The poll results are
accurate within a range of +/- 2%.
"Full disclosure of food ingredients is what consumers want so
that they can make informed decisions," said Ms. Peggy Kirkeby,
Vice President, Issues and Policy of the Consumers' Association.
"Today, mandatory labels on food products tell consumers how
much salt, fat, cholesterol and carbohydrates are in a
particular product. Yet, when it comes to genetically modified
ingredients, the Federal Government has said no, they aren't
going to give this information to Canadian consumers."
Consumers clearly believe that the Federal Government has failed
in its job in providing Canadians with adequate information
about genetically modified foods. "When the poll asked if the
Government of Canada has provided adequate information about
genetically modified foods 80% of Canadians said no," said Ms.
Kirkeby.
The second finding in the poll showed that 91% of Canadians want
labels on foods that contain genetically modified ingredients.
"There is no doubt that Canadians want information about what is
in their food," said Ms. Kirkeby. "A label is a simple way to
provide this information."
"It is very rare to get Canadians to overwhelmingly agree on a
single issue, but the mandatory labelling of genetically
modified foods is such an issue," said Ms. Kirkeby. The poll
found that consumers want the government to make these labels
mandatory rather than having a voluntary system controlled by
industry. "The poll found that 88% of consumers want the Federal
Government to make labelling of genetically modified foods
mandatory," said Ms. Kirkeby. The poll also showed that
consumers' views were the same irrespective of factors such as
income, gender, region or education level. "It is clear that
consumers simply just don't trust the food industry to
voluntarily provide the necessary information."
This issue also cuts across political lines with politicians
from all parties having supported private members bills in
Parliament on mandatory labelling of genetically modified foods.
Prominent Members of Parliament such as Joe Clark (Progressive
Conservative), Deborah Grey (Canadian Alliance), Steven Owen
(Liberal) and Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Quebecois) all have supported
mandatory labelling. "There will be a new Prime Minister and
Liberal Government next week and Canadians are looking forward
to fresh ideas," said Ms. Kirkeby. "On behalf of Canadian
consumers the Consumers' Association will be formally asking the
new Government to introduce legislation to mandate labelling of
genetically modified foods."
"Voluntary systems just don't work and consumers don't trust
them," said Ms. Kirkeby. "It's time for the Federal Government
to stop stalling, listen to consumers and introduce mandatory
labelling of genetically modified foods."
View poll results (PDF file):
http://www.consumer.ca/pdfs/2003.11.25-press_conference_charts-final.pdf
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