South Africa's Woolworths bans GM foods SOUTH AFRICA: December 22, 1999 CAPE TOWN - South African retail chain Woolworths said yesterday it had decided to remove all known genetically modified (GM) foods from its shelves until they were proven safe. The decision, taken after a meeting between company management and members of the South African Federation Against Genetic Engineering (SAFEAGE), makes Woolworths the first South African retailer to take that stance. "The current situation with regard to GE (genetically engineered) food in South Africa is unsatisfactory," Woolworths said in a statement. "Woolworths have stated their intention to remove genetically engineered food from their shelves." "GE food is already on our supermarket shelves, but we have no legislation that forces companies to label the products that contain GE ingredients," it said. South Africa has implemented a Genetically Modified Organisms Act, but it is aimed predominantly at protecting the environment and does not cover labelling of food. "I am not aware of any unsafe genetically modified food on our shelves," said Dr Theo van de Venter, director of food control at the department of health. He said his department was working with the department of agriculture and other role players in drawing up legislation that was practical and enforceable. "We do not have a final set of regulations that are ready to present to the politicians but we are consulting widely. "We are trying to encourage industry to do voluntary labelling where they can, but we are under pressure to come up with something pretty soon," van de Venter told Reuters from Pretoria. Woolworths, which is associated with leading British retail chain Marks and Spencer which has already announced a similar move, said consumers were buying genetically modified food unawares and were being used as guinea pigs. "No comprehensive scientific tests have been done on humans regarding the safety of GE food," the statement added. The company said it would be assessing these foods for harmful effects, starting with their primary ingredients. If no suitable alternative ingredients could be found the products would be clearly labelled. "Woolworths is determined to establish the source of their food supply and put in place a testing regimen that satisfies all interested and affected parties," it said. Woolworths, 47 percent owned by South-Africa based Wooltru Ltd, has a formal information exchange agreement with Marks and Spencer. REUTERS NEWS SERVICE