Week 4 – Media Release Exercise

Here’s a go at producing ‘hard news’:

Ineffective GM food labeling laws are under attack in a damning report released by Choice consumer advocates this week.

According to Choice, many Australian consumers are still buying GM products at their local supermarkets without knowing it.  Choice reports that numerous foods containing genetically modified ingredients are sold without GM written on the label.

Existing GM labeling laws in Australia, could promote a false belief by consumers that they are being informed as to the use of GM products.  However, Choice asserts this is not the case.  Consumers are not being informed as to the presence of GM ingredients in foods.

As a result, Choice is encouraging all Australians to register their concern with the Food Labelling Review Panel set up to assess current laws.

(OR – A government review of food labelling has prompted the group to ask Australians to call for more comprehensive labelling by contributing their views to the Food Labelling Review Panel.)

Choice research indicates a wide range of foods may include GM ingredients from GM crops such as: corn, soy, canola, cotton, and their derivatives.  These foods include breakfast cereals, breads, cakes, cooking oils, chocolate and snack foods; as well as meat, egg and diary products where GM animal feed was used.‘

A full disclosure on the use of GM materials is sought as many consumers have both environmental and ethical opposition to the use of GM products, and Choice points out that their right to make an informed choice is not being respected in Australia at present.

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