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Laboratory testing has revealed that a
Kellogg's product is made with StarLink corn, a genetically
altered variety that is not approved
for human consumption.
In laboratory analyses, Kellogg's Morningstar Farms
brand meat-free Corn Dog tested positive for StarLink, and the corn dog
and two other products tested positive for genetically altered soy.
Greenpeace filed notice with the Food and Drug Administration
calling on the agency to order an immediate recall and health investigation
of the Morningstar product.
"Kellogg's is selling
genetically contaminated Morningstar Farms food and lying to consumers
about it,"
said Charles Margulis, Greenpeace Genetic Engineering
Specialist. "Americans have asked Kellogg's over and over to stop
this genetic experiment on our food, yet Kellogg's refuses to listen and
tries to mislead consumers. No one should
trust the Kellogg's or Morningstar names again."
Last October, Kellogg's was forced to stop production
at a Memphis plant due to concerns about StarLink contamination, but the
company claimed that no food products were affected. At the time, Kellogg's
refused to respond to a Greenpeace survey asking about StarLink or other
genetically engineered ingredients in its products.
After its 1999 purchase of Worthington Foods, the
original maker of Morningstar Farms products, Kellogg's began telling
consumers that Morningstar products would be made with non-GE soy.
In a letter dated August 15, 2000, Kellogg's told
a consumer: "We are in the final stages of our conversion to non-genetically
modified proteins.. ... " An e-mail from Kellogg's to a consumer
dated October 5, 2000 claims:
"We have completed conversion to non - genetically
modified soy proteins in all Morningstar Farms, Worthington, Natural Touch
and Loma Linda products. We are currently purchasing all non-genetically
modified soy proteins and have been using these in production since April
1, 2000."
However, the lab tests on Morningstar products bought
just last month show that more than
50% of the soy in the Corn Dog is genetically
engineered, while Morningstar Veggie Patties and Harvest Burgers
contained detectable amounts of the gene altered crop. Subsequent letters
from Kellogg's to consumers admit that Harvest Burgers still contain genetically
modified soy.
In other letters about its cereals and other products,
Kellogg's admits to American consumers that its U.S. products are "likely"
to be made with genetically modified grain.
But a Kellogg's letter to British consumers claims
that Kellogg's "does not use genetically modified maize or soya ingredients
or derivatives..." in any of its European products.
"Americans are shopping in the dark when they
buy Morningstar Farms products," said Liza Pengelly, a concerned
Morningstar Farms consumer in the San Francisco Bay Area. "Genetically
tainted foods aren't labeled, and I can't trust Kellogg's.
I won't buy these products until Kellogg's stops using all gene altered
ingredients," she continued.
The
True Food Network - www.truefoodnow.org
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