Canada NewsWire 
August 15, 2000, 

GMO debate: 95% of Canadians want the right to choose what they eat; 
National Survey Shows More Canadians Shopping at Natural Health Food Stores 

TORONTO, Aug. 15 

Ninety-five percent of Canadians believe they should have the right to
choose whether or not they buy foods containing genetically modified
ingredients. This is according to a recent survey--The CHFA Health
Study--conducted by the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA). 

The CHFA Health Study was carried out to determine Canadians' attitudes 
towards genetically-modified foods and their likelihood of shopping at
natural 
health food stores. The results showed that ninety-four percent of Canadians 
believe that foods containing genetically-modified ingredients should be 
labeled accordingly. 

"The CHFA Health Study results demonstrate that Canadians clearly believe 
that they are being denied freedom of choice," said Donna Herringer, 
President, CHFA. "This survey confirms what we have instinctively known for 
years - Canadians do not want to blindly consume foods that contain GMOs. 
People want the right to read a label and make an informed decision about
what 
they put in their bodies." 

The CHFA Health Study demonstrated that there has been a significant 
increase over the past two years in the number of Canadians shopping at
health 
food stores. Over one quarter of Canadians indicated they are more likely to 
shop at a health food store as compared to two years ago. Knowing that 
certified organic foods are free of GMOs, over one third of Canadians said 
they were more likely to purchase organic foods than they were two years ago. 

The CHFA is actively tracking Canadians' attitudes towards GMOs because 
some of its members produce labeled GMO-free products. These products are 
being pulled off major retailers' shelves due exclusively to the presence of 
the 'GMO-free' label. 

"We are hearing that our members are being required to sticker over the 
GMO-free label at certain retail locations," said Herringer. "The solution
for 
manufacturers who refuse to comply with this demand is to sell through
natural 
health food stores who can offer clearly labeled GMO-free products. The 
solution for consumers is to shop at natural health food stores as they 
provide certified organic, GMO-free products." 

Highlights from The CHFA Health Study are follows: 
- 95% of respondents believe that Canadians should have the right to 
choose whether or not they buy foods containing GMOs 
- 94% believe foods containing GMOs should have a label indicating the 
products contain genetically-modified ingredients 
- Two thirds of Canadians believe it is important to know whether the 
foods they eat contain GMOs 
- Close to 60% of Canadians believe that GMOs pose a risk to the Canadian 
food supply 
- More than one quarter of Canadians are more likely to shop at a health 
food store as compared to two years ago 
- Upon learning that certified organic foods do not contain GMOs, 38% of 
Canadians are more likely to buy organic foods 

The CHFA Health Survey was conducted by Omnitel, a division of Thompson 
Lightstone. A national sample of 1,000 Canadian adults were surveyed. 

The Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) is a non-profit, federally 
chartered trade association formed in Vancouver in 1964. The CHFA represents 
1,200 members from all sectors of the natural health products industry 
including retailers, manufacturers, importers, distributors and publishers. 

CONTACT: or to arrange an interview with a CHFA spokesperson, please
contact: Tracey Bochner/Anne Mortensen, APEX Public Relations, (416) 924-4442