98.4 MANDATORY LABELLING AND LONG-TERM TESTING OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS
Whereas, unlabelled, genetically engineered foods, not tested for long-term effects on human health are being sold in Canadian stores; and
Whereas, these products are created when foreign genes such as animal, viral or bacterial genes are combined with plant genes; and
Whereas, foods altered through genetic engineering and consumed unknowingly often contain proteins and components that have never been part of the human diet; and
Whereas, the development and sale of genetically engineered organisms, whether used in animal feed, food or food processing can release genetically engineered organisms into the environment; and
Whereas, through these inadequately tested genetically engineered foods, the health of consumers may be endangered and genetic mistakes may be passed on the future generations of consumers; and
Whereas, national food trade associations from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom, as well as leading European food retailers, are demanding that genetically modified crops be separated from conventional varieties due to potential risk to consumers;
RESOLVED, that the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to:
- Impose immediate mandatory labeling of all foods containing genetically engineered ingredients; and
- Impose a moratorium on the distribution and sale of genetically engineered foods until they have been adequately tested in Canada by a Federal Government Bureau and proven safe; and
- Alert and educate the public as to the presence and possible effects of genetically engineered foods (by T.V., radio and written media).