Genetically Engineered (GE) Food Labelling...

Hi there! By way of an introduction, Jennie Berthet pastes into this space (below) the current email that I send out to a mailing list of people interested in sharing organic and nourishing food choices that we can access in our local community...

The mailing list has also expanded to include information sharing about local issues such as the proposed fluoridation of our water, GM (genetic modification) issues, the Community Garden project and basically anything to do with ensuring our need for clean food, water and air (and having fun while doing that!).

If you’d like to receive a copy of these emails into your inbox, or know anyone else who would like to, please email me at: justinkase@westnet.com.au (with their permission, of course!).

Wishing you health and happiness,

Cas Smit

Hi all,

Just wondered if you'd seen this information from Greenpeace about honey contaminated with GE canola and an opportunity to email the Federal health minister, NIcola Roxon via the Greenpeace website (follow links from original email below). I've pasted my email below FYI - to use as a guide if you'd like. It has more impact if you put it in your own words and why it's important to you. Thanks for reading this!

Cheers,
Cas Smit

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Dear Minister,

I am very concerned about inadvertently consuming GE products in foodstuffs that I might purchase. I am not convinced that the technology is safe beyond all reasonable doubt IN THE LONG TERM so therefore wish to exercise my right as a consumer to avoid buying and eating any products with any GE component or suspected GE component (however small). I am concerned that the current labelling laws will not allow me to exercise this right. I would like to request that the ban on GE crops is reinstated in all states of Australia until a body of independent studies (not done by the companies supplying the GE technology), that are long term, peer reviewed, and which contain indicators that are relevant to human health, have been evaluated by a multidisciplinary panel. I also would like to request that a food labelling law is introduced which requires that all GE foods, including highly processed foods and products from animals that have been fed commercial animal feeds which contain GE oils, sugars, starches etc., are clearly labelled and that this law is strictly enforced. I was dismayed to learn that commercial honey hives in Southern Victoria have recently been found to have been contaminated with GE canola pollen. I do not wish to inadvertently consume GE contaminated honey - either directly or as an ingredient in a processed food item. Thank you for your attention to this matter and I look forward to your written response.

Yours sincerely,
Catherine A Smit
Registered Psychologist
Coonabarabran
NSW

Subject:     What's that in your honey?
From:     True Food Network <support@au.greenpeace.org>

October 2nd, 2009     

GE found in Honey.

Greenpeace has found commercial beehives contaminated with genetically engineered (GE) canola pollen. Yesterday we set up a mobile “Biohazard Research Centre” at a GE canola field situated just metres from beehives in Southern Victoria. People buying honey from this hive will be eating GE contaminated food without knowing it, and before it has been properly assessed as safe to eat. Join the calls for Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, to use her powers to properly assess the health and environmental risks of GE crops. read more...

Take action: email Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon

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